Elizabeth BoatmanMy recent adventure at the Orange Empire Railway Museum reinforced for me some of the benefits of travel. Doubtless it broadens my horizons. I did indeed see things and visit places that were new. But an added benefit was I also came away with more questions. My curiosity was piqued. I wanted to know more about this area and its part in California history.
For example, while riding the Pullman cars I overheard the docent mention that we were following the only remaining stretch of the California Southern Railway. The museum owns it and will preserve it. But what happened to the rest of it?
This led me to research the history of railroads in California and the West. We’ve all heard of the big meeting at Promontory Point, Utah. The Union Pacific and the Central Pacific met and connected the country. Nothing would ever be the same again.
In the south of the country, along the 35th parallel, the Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe (with partners) was moving west as well. These railroads were building numerous small lines toward the Pacific. San Diego was reached in 1885; Los Angeles followed in 1887. At Barstow, California, one of the lines heading south was the California Southern Railway. (See this did all connect to my museum visit) This little line traveled south from Barstow toward Riverside, the gold mines, and on to San Diego.
Which brings up the subject of gold. How can one think about California history without considering gold? Even here in the south of California there was mining going on. Gold mines flourished around Perris and Riverside for about a decade, 1880-1889. It was the heyday of the town of Pinacate. Eventually the town was forced to relocate because of a land dispute and became known as Perris. The only thing that remains now is the station which is also a part of the museum.
Have all my questions been answered? Perhaps for now, at least until I make my next journey out into the neighborhood.
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