Railtown 1897

https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=491 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Railtown_1897_State_Historic_Park Railtown 1897 State Historic Park, and its operating entity, the Sierra Railway, is known as "The Movie Railroad." Railtown 1897 is located in Jamestown, California. The entire park preserves the historic core of the original Sierra Railway of California (later reincorporated as the Sierra Railroad). The railway's Jamestown locomotive and rolling stock maintenance facilities are remarkably intact and continue to function much as they have for over 100 years.

Railtown 1897 State Historic Park Our Mission The mission of California State Parks is to provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. Climb aboard an authentic steam train and travel back to 1897 through miles of picturesque meadows and an oak-studded, “Wild West” landscape. California State Parks supports equal access. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact the park at (209) 984-3953. If you need this publication in an alternate format, contact interp@parks.ca.gov. CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 For information call: (800) 777-0369 (916) 653-6995, outside the U.S. 711, TTY relay service www.parks.ca.gov Railtown 1897 State Historic Park 10501 Reservoir Road Jamestown, CA 95327 (209) 984-3953 Cover photo courtesy of Michael Sharps © 2009 California State Parks (Rev. 2016) n the heart of the Sierra foothills, Railtown 1897 State Historic Park invites visitors to experience the thrill of traveling back in time to the era of Volunteer car host steam railroading. Located 135 miles east of San Francisco, the park is a unique treasure trove of preserved railroad buildings, equipment, locomotives, and rolling stock. Many of these date back to Railtown’s 1897 origins. The Railtown roundhouse — a semi-circular building for housing and maintaining locomotives — stands as the only continuously operating steam locomotive roundhouse in the United States. PARK HISTORY The Sierra Railway Company Incorporated on January 1, 1897, the Sierra Railway Company was the brainchild of Midwesterner Thomas Bullock. He and his fellow investors — San Francisco banker William Crocker, Crocker’s brother-in-law Prince Andre Poniatowski, and others — had lumber and mining interests in the area. They anticipated that a short-line railroad from Oakdale could replace horsedrawn wagons to bring lumber and mining materials to the growing Sacramento and San Francisco areas. Bullock had owned a failed railroad venture in Arizona that left him with three steam locomotives and several miles of rail. With the addition of 15 new freight cars, the Sierra Railway was soon moving U.S. mail, passengers, and freight. The Sierra Railway Company also established working relationships with the Southern Pacific Railroad Company and several stage lines to serve mining, lumber, and agricultural interests. However, as the costs of gold mining increased with the onset of World War I, the Railway’s profits decreased. Even worse, bus and trucking companies had begun competing with trains. The Sierra Railroad Company During the Great Depression, the Sierra Railway Company went into receivership, a form of bankruptcy in which the company is allowed to reorganize without losing the value of its property. On April 1, 1937, it was Locomotives stored at roundhouse Photo courtesy of Michael Sharps I Open-air observation car renamed the Sierra Railroad Company and incorporated under the ownership of Crocker Associates. In 1955, almost twenty years after regular passenger operations had ceased, the Sierra Railroad Company replaced the last of its steam locomotives with diesel power and opened modern maintenance shops in Oakdale. Fortunately, the historic Jamestown shops and locomotives were left intact. Railtown 1897 is Born Charles Crocker — a descendant of one of the original investors — decided to bring the Jamestown shops back to life as an excursion train theme park in the 1970s. In 1982, California State Parks acquired the railway’s 26 acres of land and shops in Jamestown, as well as trackage rights on the Sierra Railroad. Charles Crocker donated the railway’s tools, cars, and shops equipment. This historic site has had support from several advocacy groups. The California State Railroad Museum Foundation, an integral Photo courtesy of Michael Sharps Events and Programs Railtown 1897 State Historic Park has a year-round schedule of interpretive events and excursions, including spring wildflower train rides, guided tours, Junior Rangers, Apple Harvest, Worker’s Reunion, and holiday Polar Express™ tours. Visit www.railtown1897.org or call (209) 984-3953 for a calendar. ACCESSIBLE FEATURES A manual wheelchair lift allows excursion train access. The historic roundhouse and other exhibits Docent leads a tour in the roundhouse are generally accessible. Some assistance may be required with steep partner, has assisted California State Parks in depot ramps or raised flooring. The freight funding important restoration projects. This shed restroom and one portable restroom partnership brought about the restoration ™ are accessible. of steam locomotive Sierra No. 3 , one of For accessibility updates, visit the three original locomotives that Sierra http://access.parks

Important Information • Chaperones must stay with students at all times. • No food, beverages or gum inside any of the sites. • Park staff reserves the right to cancel groups arriving more than 10 minutes after the scheduled arrival time. • Groups without reservations are admitted on a space available basis. Payments for admission by check or cash only. Holding capacities strictly enforced. Our Mission The Mission of the California Department of Parks and Recreation is to provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the states’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high quality outdoor recreation. California State Parks Historic Sites Visitor Information Guide • Commercial tour companies will be charged regular admission price at the park where applicable. • School groups with reservations will be admitted free of charge at all venues unless otherwise noted. • Requests for special assistance for persons with disabilities should be identified when making reservations with Reserve America. • Due to the number of no-shows at the Historic Sites venues, groups that fail to show for a reserved venue will be invoiced $25.00 per no show. • Fees subject to change. School group reservations call toll free: (866) 2404655 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., 7 days a week Pacific Standard Time. Commercial group reservations call toll free:(866) 361-5111 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. M-F. For additional site information, maps and teacher background materials, Visit the California State Parks Website at: www.parks.ca.gov. HISTORIC STATE PARK SITES STATE CAPITOL MUSEUM 10th and L Street Guided tours provide an understanding of California’s complex and dynamic legislature. In addition, the guides interpret the Capitol’s history, architecture and symbols. Historic offices offer a glimpse into the Capitol’s past and museum rooms convey a perspective on current issues. Maximum 35 people. Wheelchair accessible. Listening devices upon request. (1 hr - Guided Tour) LELAND STANFORD MANSION 4th – 12th grades only. Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park, a National Historic Landmark, was the 19th century home of Leland and Jane Stanford. Today the Mansion welcomes leaders from around the world as the State’s official reception center and public museum. Allow 30 minutes for this guided tour. There are adult and youth fees; children five and under are free. For more information, call (916) 3246088 or (916) 324-0575 and press 03. THE CALIFORNIA MUSEUM FOR HISTORY, WOMEN AND THE ARTS The California Museum offers fun and educational programs and tours. Students have the opportunity to learn about California and the nation through the gallery-based programs. Developed by an experienced educator with specific reference to California’s curriculum standards, the Museum offers a range of resources California State Parks does not discriminate against individuals with disabilities. To receive this publication in an alternate format contact the California State Parks Concessions & Reservations Division at (916) 653-7733. CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS P.O. BOX 942896 SACRAMENTO, CA 94296-0001 For Information Call: (800) 777-0369 (916) 653-6995, Outside the U.S. (888) 877-5738, TTY (888) 877-5379, Without TTY www.parks.ca.gov Cover photo: Marshall Gold Discovery SHP © 2009 California State Parks for discovery and learning to classroom teachers. These resources are provided in a ready format that encourages and supports the efforts of teachers in addressing the natural and cultural diversity of California, the growth of the world-class economy, and the workings of our democracy. The Museum features exhibits on pioneering families, California Mission art, and the Remarkable Women Series with Latinas: the Spirit of California. For more information on our current exhibits, check our website at www. californiamuseum.org. CALIFORNIA STATE INDIAN MUSEUM 26th & K Street The museum displays a comprehensive collection of artifacts relating to California Indian culture. Wheelchair accessible. Groups without reservations are admitted on a space available basis. Carrying capacity enforced. (30 min Self-guided Tour) for 2nd floor of Central Building. (1 hr - Sound-Assisted, Self-guided Tour) GOVERNOR’S MANSION SHP 16th & H Street Elegant Victorian mansion built in 1877. Former home to California’s governors from John Pardee through Ronald Reagan. No strollers allowed. Due to limited holding capacity, large drop-in groups not advised. Wheelchair lift available. For information regarding this site, call (916) 323-3047. (40 min - Guided Tour) MARSHALL GOLD DISCOVERY SHP Highway 49 in Coloma This is the site of the discovery at Sutter’s MiII that triggered the California Gold Rush. Groups with a valid reservation must check in at the park entrance within an hour before or after their scheduled arrival time. For Bekeart’s gold California