Newark in Alameda County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Carter Brothers

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, April 27, 2016

1. Carter Brothers Marker

Inscription. Western history owes the Carter Brothers a great debt, for they were the general contractors for the first six narrow gauge railroads in California. From 1874 to 1902 they built freight, passenger, cable and street cars. Their plant became Newark's first industry. Their cable cars are still in operation on San Francisco hills.

Erected 1970 by E Clampus Vitus, Joaquin Murrieta Chapter No. 13.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list.

Location. 37° 31.767′ N, 122° 2.382′ W. Marker is in Newark, California, in Alameda County. It is on Thornton Avenue near Sycamore Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7388 Thornton Avenue, Newark CA 94560, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Francisco Bay Area

and on the Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

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on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Ardenwood Historic Farm / George Washington Patterson Ranch (approx. 2 miles away); Leal Tank House (approx. 2 miles away); The Beginnings of Centerville Presbyterian Church (approx. 2.7 miles away); Machado House (approx. 2.9 miles away); The Chadbourne Carriage House (approx. 3.2 miles away); Pioneer Schoolhouse & Chapel (approx. 3.7 miles away); The Shinn Family Nursery and Ranch (approx. 4.1 miles away); California Nursery Historical Park (approx. 4.3 miles away).

Another marker is no longer nearby. Wind-Powered Archimedes Screw-Pump (was approx. 0.7 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Regarding Carter Brothers. This marker is on the south side of Thornton Avenue, just east of the railroad tracks.

Also see . . . Carter Brothers, Builders -- Mid-continent Railway Museum. By 1885,
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, April 27, 2016

2. Carter Brothers Marker
Carter Brothers had produced more than 600 cars for the SPCRR. They specialized in narrow gauge equipment, but also built horse cars, cable cars, a few electrics, turntables, water tanks and some standard gauge equipment, and at least one interurban. One authority estimates they built about 5,000 cars in a little over 28 years... (Submitted on April 28, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

The north end of the Carter Brothers erection shop circa 1913 after the shops were abandoned. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bruce MacGregor, circa 1913

3. The north end of the Carter Brothers erection shop circa 1913 after the shops were abandoned.

Looking south from Thornton Avenue toward the South Pacific Coast RR arcade-style station. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bruce MacGregor

4. Looking south from Thornton Avenue toward the South Pacific Coast RR arcade-style station.

The Carter Brothers car shops are easily visible to the left of the station.

A typical Carter Brothers narrow gauge coach. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mid-continent Railway Museum

5. A typical Carter Brothers narrow gauge coach.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 28, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,141 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 28, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.