I was born and raised in Sacramento, California (not including four years in and around Portland, Oregon, when I was in third through sixth grades). I’m pretty sure that while I was learning about Lewis and Clark, my Sacramento peers were learning about the Sacramento Southern Railroad and how it changed the city I call home.

I’m not a railroad buff. I’ve always assumed this was more of a “guy” thing, as my grandfather and my own father, as well as practically every man I’ve ever met, is fascinated by trains. To me, they are/were a way to get from point “A” to point “B”.

Then I had the opportunity to read Kevin W. Hecteman’s book, Sacramento Southern Railroad, which enlightened me about what I’ve been missing, as well as filled me in on some of Sacramento’s interesting back story. (Although there was text, the book is heavy on photos with accompanying descriptions, which makes the reading both light and entertaining.)

I live within walking distance of the southern end of the American River Bike Trail, which includes the leg from Miller Park to 25th Avenue and Riverside Blvd. I’ve run, biked, and walked this route many times, but I never before knew what the sign for “Baths” referred to, nor did I realize the significance of Miller Park itself and its role in Sacramento’s railroad history.

Baths was a railroad stop for the Riverside baths, a popular local swimming pool frequented in the early 1900s. In the '30s, the enclosed pool’s roof was removed, and it was renamed the Land Park Plunge. This property is now partly occupied by B’nai Israel Synagogue and Interstate 5.

Then there are “the tracks” (as I call them), a truss bridge above Riverside Blvd. just south of William Land Park’s west side, which was built in 1907 for the train. Sacramento Depot, which is now an Amtrak station, opened in 1926. Miller Park was named for Alice Miller, who died in 1942. She bequeathed 38 acres to the City of Sacramento to use as a park and marina. Miller Park opened in 1958 and was a junction of the railroad until 1976, when it was abandoned, which also led to the abandonment of the Hood junction to Isleton in 1977.

Article Author: writnkitten

Juliet Farmer is a full-time freelance writer and a regular contributor to several websites and trade publications, as well as a self-proclaimed TV junkie with a penchant for books and movies.

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