Near Auburn in Placer County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Mountain Quarries Railroad Bridge

Photographed By James King, August 10, 2013

1. Mountain Quarries Railroad Bridge Marker

Inscription. In 1910, the Mountain Quarries Company contracted for the construction of a railroad bridge over the North Fork of the American River to haul limestone from their upstream quarry. The bridge and 17 wooden trestles were part of Mountain Quarries Railroad (MQRR) which went seven miles up to Auburn.

The MQRR Bridge, designed by John B. Leonard, was completed and placed in service on March 23, 1912 at a cost of $300,000. The bridge was reported to be the "longest span concrete arched bridge for railroad traffic owned by 'private capital' in the world" at the time of its completion. The bridge is 15 feet wide at the top, 482 feet long and 75 feet high. Each of the three arches has a span of 140 feet.

Erected 2012 by Native Sons of the Golden West & California State Parks. (Marker Number GPY 135-10.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1780.

Location. 38° 54.964′ N, 121° 2.423′ W. Marker is near Auburn, California, in Placer County. Marker is on Old Foresthill Road east of Golden Chain Highway (California Highway 49)

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, on the right when traveling east. Coming from Auburn on Hwy 49/193, Old Foresthill Road continues straight but the highway turns right over the river. The monument is about 200 to 300 feet past the intersection. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cool CA 95614, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A different marker also named Mountain Quarries Railroad Bridge (here, next to this marker); The Junction House (approx. one mile away); Auburn Depot (approx. 1.7 miles away); Southern Pacific Caboose (approx. 1.7 miles away); a different marker also named Auburn Depot (approx. 1.7 miles away); Auburn Iron Works (approx. 1.7 miles away); The Chinese Coolie (approx. 1.7 miles away); Marguerite Mine “Quartz Rock” (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Auburn.

Regarding Mountain Quarries Railroad Bridge. National Register of Historic Places #04000014

9/28/22 - This marker is on the north side of the American River, in Placer County, rather than the south side of the river in El Dorado County.

Also see . . .
1. Mountain Quarries Railroad. Construction of this railroad started in 1910, and was used to serve a large quarry near Cool, CA. and haul the limestome mined there to a connection with the SP at Flint (Auburn),CA.

Mountain Quarries Railroad Bridge Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James King, August 10, 2013

2. Mountain Quarries Railroad Bridge Monument

Grand Trustee Carey Pearce with Past Grand President David and Shirley Allen by the MQRR monument.

The line used 17 trestles, a large triple arch concrete bridge, plus a switchback to make this seven mile trip. The bridge was completed in 1912 by the Pacific Portland Cement Company and service began later the same year. Just east of there the line crosses CA. State Route 49. On one photo caption, it is said that this is the only grade crossing in North America where the trains had to stop for automobiles. Service essentially ended in 1939 and the rails were torn up and scrapped in 1941 for the war effort. (Submitted on August 14, 2013, by James King of San Miguel, California.)

2. Iconic Auburn-area Bridge Turns 100. Whatever you may want to call it, Placer County loves its Mountain Quarries Railroad Bridge. Painted, photographed and just plain admired, the span that some dare to call “No Hands Bridge” has reached the spry old age of 100... (Submitted on August 14, 2013, by James King of San Miguel, California.)

3. The "No Hands Bridge". On March 23, 2014 this historic bridge was dedicated as a California Registered Historic Landmark (Submitted on March 28, 2014.)

Mountain Quarries Railroad Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James King, August 10, 2013

3. Mountain Quarries Railroad Bridge

Downstream from the Hwy 49 bridge.

Grave of Angelo Casasco image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Dave Geschke, Auburn Parlor NSGW

4. Grave of Angelo Casasco

Marker placed by Auburn Parlor #59, NSGW and the NSGW Historical Preservation Foundation on
18 October 2015 in the Old Auburn Cemetery

Angelo Casasco
Native of Italy, Age 36 years
Died during the construction of the
Mountain Quarries RR Bridge (No Hands Bridge)
November 4, 1911

Grave of John Kern image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Dave Geschke, Auburn Parlor NSGW

5. Grave of John Kern

Marker placed by Auburn Parlor #59, NSGW and the NSGW Historical Preservation Foundation on
18 October 2015 in the Old Auburn Cemetery

John Kern
Native of Michigan, Age 45 years
Died during the construction of the
Mountain Quarries RR Bridge (No Hands Bridge)
November 4, 1911

Credits. This page was last revised on September 28, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 14, 2013, by James King of San Miguel, California. This page has been viewed 967 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 14, 2013, by James King of San Miguel, California. 4, 5. submitted on April 22, 2016, by James King of San Miguel, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.