California Historical Landmarks in Placer County

California Landmark 780-9
First Transcontinental Railroad: Cape Horn Promontory
Highway 174 Near Knorr Swiss Lane
Colfax

First Transcontinental Railroad: Cape Horn Promontory
  First Transcontinental Railroad: Cape Horn Promontory
16 December 2013
(Click Photos to Zoom)

 
View of Cape Horn Promontory
North Fork American River Canyon

Dedicated to the memory of thousands of Chinese who worked for Charles Crocker on the Central Pacific Railroad. They were lowered over the face of Cape Horn Promontory in wicker bosun's chairs to a point 1332 feet above the canyon floor. The ledge created for the railbed was completed May 1866. They are honored for their work ethic, and timely completion of the Transcontinental Rails ending in Promontory, Utah, May 1869.

Dedicated May 8, 1999
Colfax Area Historical Society, Inc.

Prev | Next
Placer County: List | Map
California: List | Map