Disappearing RR Blues: Yaquina RR at Craigie Pt. Traditional Cache
subwaymark: I think its hiding spot is gone. That cache may return someday, but its time to let it go for now.
Disappearing RR Blues: Yaquina RR at Craigie Pt.
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This is #19 in my Disappearing RR Blues series of caches that highlight abandoned NW Oregon railroad right-of-ways or structures (although some caches have been archived). This is the first cache of the series in Lincoln County.
In 1872 one "Colonel" Hogg got the the idea to build a railroad from Corvallis to Yaquina Bay over the Coast Range and the Corvallis and Yaquina Bay RR was born. This was part of an even grander plan the Colonel had. He wanted to build a transcontinental Raiload from Yaquina Bay thru Corvallis and Albany, over Santiam pass thru Central Oregon and eastward to the Great Plains. The RR name was changed to the Oregon Pacific with such plans.
The Railroad opened in 1884 between Corvallis and Yaquina City. Although this town no longer exists, it was a major port. At Yaquina City you could hop onto a Steamer Ship and head to San Francisco. The Colonel thought Yaquina City would be the next San Francisco. But like his plans for the Railroad to head over Santiam Pass, this was not meant to be.
The Southern Pacific took over the line around 1915. The section between Yaquina City and Toledo was abandoned in 1937. The Railroad remains today from Albany to Toledo. After the Yaquina section was abandoned, the old trestles were planked over so cars could drive along the river as no roads were in place. Later the state hwy was built along the river, so the trestles were abandoned. The Hwy is now a secondary road with Hwy 20 being built further in and up the hill from the River.
The cache is located on what was the Railroad Right-of-Way at Craigie Point. A former trestle is clearly in view from this location. There is an interpretive sign here giving the history of Craigie point, but no mention of the Railroad that went to a city that it too no longer exists.
I hope you enjoy finding the cache and learning a little more about Oregon's rich Railroad History!!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
gfbc - jby
Treasures
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