Alameda Terminal of the First Transcontinental Railroad

The terminus lasted two months. On September 6, 1869, the first through train from Sacramento reached the bay here, its passengers crossing to San Francisco on the steamer Alameda; on November 8 the Central Pacific moved its terminal a mile north to the Oakland Long Wharf. The Navy's bronze in this mall says its train started in New York City, though no train ran through from there. The state's 1951 bronze stands a mile and a half east at Lincoln and Webster, where the train passed on its way to a wharf now under the air station's lagoon.

What the plaque says

First Transcontinental Railroad On September 6, 1869 first transcontinental railroad train linking two great oceans, and consisting of twelve cars and three locomotives passed here on way to a wharf terminal west of here, a location now covered by lagoon for take-off trans-Pacific planes, and within confines present U. S. Naval Air Station. Original celebration held near this spot. Erected by the California Centennials Commission in cooperation with the Alameda Historical Society Dedicated 1951 This plaque marks the terminus of the first transcontinental passenger train that started in New York City and terminated at Alameda Point Pier on September 6, 1869. Erected by the U.S. Naval Air Station, Alameda in cooperation with the Alameda Historical Society. Dedicated Aug. 22 Ceremonies commemorating the 100th anniversary of this historical event were held at this site Sept. 6, 1969.

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Muir Beach Overlook — 16 mi
  A cliff edge on Highway 1, and the concrete dugouts where two-man crews watched the sea after Pearl Harbor.
• Muir Woods National Monument — 16 mi
  A redwood canyon saved from a reservoir by a gift, and named for a man who had been there once.

More markers nearby

• Site of the China Clipper Flight Departure — steps away
• USS Hornet — 1.0 mi
• Coast Guard Lightship WLV 605 - Relief (decommissioned) — 1.4 mi
• Croll Building — 1.8 mi