Near Big Pine in Inyo County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Zurich Station
Photographed By Alvis Hendley, November 2, 2012
1. Zurich Station Marker
Zurich Station, formerly Alvord, was established in 1884 as a freight and passenger station on the Carson & Colorado Railway - known locally as "The Slim Princess."
Zurich was the main railroad station for Big Pine and points east. Its name was changed to Zurich in 1923 because the eastern slope of the Sierra reminded local resident Emelie Nikolaus of her native Switzerland.
The station fell into disuse during the 1940's and was abandoned when the railway ceased operation in 1960.
Erected 1993 by Slim Princess Chapter 395 E Clampus Vitus.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1884.
Location. 37° 10.906′ N, 118° 15.626′ W. Marker is near Big Pine, California, in Inyo County. Marker is on California Route 168, 1.9 miles east of U.S. 395, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Big Pine CA 93513, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 15 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Westgaard Pass Toll Road (approx. 1.7 miles away); Big Pine Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.7 miles away); The Roosevelt Tree (approx. 1.7 miles away); Project Sierra Wave
this page online
Regarding Zurich Station.
Article by Mallory Hope Ferrell. Excerpt: “Upon completion of the line, an Inauguration Special was run the entire length of the road on July 12, 1883. Aboard the special were Henry Yerington, accompanied by Darius Mills, William Sharon and other officials of the C&C. After riding through desert heat from Mound House to Hawley, Mills is quoted by both Kneiss and Beebe as turning to his companions and saying: ‘Gentlemen, either we built this line 300 miles too long, or 300 years too soon’.”
Also see . . .
1. Zurich. Ghost Towns website entry:
Zurich was the first town south of Laws, CA on the Carson & Colorado narrow gauge railroad. (Submitted on February 28, 2016.)
2. Slim Princess. Scenic USA website entry (Submitted on August 25, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By Alvis Hendley, November 2, 2012
2. Zurich Station Marker
Additional keywords. C&C Railroad
Photographed By Alvis Hendley, November 2, 2012
3. Zurich Station Ruins
Photographed By Alvis Hendley, November 2, 2012
4. Zurich Station Ruins
Photographed By Alvis Hendley, November 2, 2012
5. Eastern Sierra Alpenglow
"...the eastern slope of the Sierra reminded local resident Emelie Nikolaus of her native Switzerland."
Credits. This page was last revised on August 25, 2021. It was originally submitted on February 28, 2016, by Alvis Hendley of San Francisco, California. This page has been viewed 584 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 28, 2016, by Alvis Hendley of San Francisco, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
