Quarry on the grade
From: "Chris Graves" caliron@att.net
A quarry has been found on the current UPRR grade between Cisco and Soda Springs. Insofar as the current UPRR grade is also the old CPRR grade, the question comes to mind as to when this work was done.
Photos of the quarry are attached, if anyone has an idea as to the use for the quarried stone, and the year(s) the work was done, I'd appreciate your thoughts.
—G J Chris Graves, NewCastle, California
posted from CPRR Discussion Group at 10:00 PM
2 Comments:
From: "RANDALL HEES" hees@astound.net
The way the stones are finished is consistent with granite foundation blocks on Victorian homes... the 1889 addition at Patterson House (Ardenwood Historic Farm) uses this style of granite (similar color too)
The California Division of Mines has some (old) publications that include information on quarries. We may be able to locate a mention there.
Granite blocks are big and heavy, and as a result, are transportation dependent... so a quarry along a railroad line is likely there because of easy transport.
Has anyone done a survey of stone culverts along the CP/WP(of 1862) to see what they are made of? The earliest construction on the WP under the original owners used sand stone... but I believe there are granite culverts further east.
—Randy Hees
From: "Chris Graves" caliron@cwnet.com
I had the opportunity this morning to visit with Roy Ruhkala, a 91-year-old quarry man. Roy was immediately helpful, saying that the quarry in question was opened for the sole purpose of securing stones for the mauseleum of Mark Hopkins. He was familiar with the story of that quarry, as the SPRR ran a spur line from the then current grade to the Sacramento Cemetery, this to deliver the stones from Wyoming, the Griffith quarry in Penryn, and the Sierra White granite from this quarry to the mauseleum site.
Roy Ruhkala is still active in the granite business, he is a past Mayor of Rocklin, and past President of the Rocklin Historical Society.
Thanks all, for your interest.
As a brief side note, a piece of Atkins Bros. [Brothers] original CPRR rail was found a few miles or so from this quarry, this on the old grade belonging to the Yuba Valley Wood Co., a contractor to the CPRR for cord word and ties.
—G J Chris Graves, NewCastle, Cal.
Post a Comment
<< Recent Messages