This letterbox-hybrid cache is dedicated to the reminiscence and admiration of Roseville’s early dwellers. It is part of a series of caches called : “CACHE OUT IN ROSEVILLE”
In the 1850’s, California’s world renowned agricultural diversity did not exist. Slow moving, cumbersome farm wagons heavily laden with produce from farms and ranches were slow, unpredictable, and expensive. There was a big demand for building a railroad from Sacramento, which was the transportation hub for mining country. Finally, in 1856, California’s first railroad, the “The Sacramento Valley Railroad”, was completed, extending 22 miles from Sacramento to Folsom. But this was of little benefit to Placer County residents and the mining country to the north.
In 1857 rights-of-way were purchased to extend the railroad between Folsom and Marysville. The new railroad was called ”The CALIFORNIA CENTRAL Railroad” One landowner, Tobias Grider, knew that a railroad would increase the value of his land. He owned the land on which the original town site of Roseville was laid out, but not yet built. He decided to only sell a skinny strip of land -- six rods wide throughout the town -- for just $1. Of course he would later get rich from this business decision!
Work on the track stalled in 1860 at the Half Way House located at Auburn Road and Cirby Way. The financially strapped company had run out of funds. To cut expenses, the labor force was reduced from 150 to 90. Many laborers were Chinese who, in addition to their legendary reputation for hard work, honesty and endurance, would also work for considerably less money. They were able to extend the railroad thru Roseville up to Lincoln, where once again money ran out.
Meanwhile work was progressing on determining a practical route over the Sierra Nevada Mountains that could connect to the transcontinental railroad. Theodore Judah, an engineer and railroad builder, was the leading force behind the passage of a transcontinental railroad bill, which made his dream a reality. Once the new “Central Pacific Railroad ” was connected to Junction (Roseville’s old railroad name), the portion of “The California Central Railroad” between Folsom and Junction became obsolete and fell into disuse. The tracks were eventually removed and reinstalled in Rocklin for use as spur lines between granite quarries and the main line. Today, only a few traces of “The California Central Railroad” remain – a small section of road bed on the floodplain near Warren T. Eich Intermediate School and the old railroad cut on today’s Folsom Road between Dry Creek and Atlantic Street. (Information from “The Story of Roseville, California… Milestones & Memories 1850-2000” by Leonard M. Davis)
Letterbox Directions to “CALIFORNIA CENTRAL”
Your coordinates will take you to suggested parking near Eich Intermediate School.
- Head south to the trailhead that goes into the Open Space nature area.
- Squeeze thru the barriers and start down the bike path.
- Pass 80 feet of cacti on your right.
- The path curves to your left toward 2 raised concrete sewers.
- Just before you get to the sewers, the trail splits and part goes off to the right. But DO NOT take this path . . . . keep going.
- The path you are on makes a hairpin turn to the left. But you won’t be on this trail for long.
- Stop at the green Dogipot station on your left.
- Now you will be getting off of the paved bike trail and continuing east along a gravel/dirt path. This is one of the two remnants of the California Central Railroad still in existence. The train ran right thru here in the 1860’s on its way from Folsom to Junction (the original name of Roseville).
- Head down this path towards another raised concrete sewer . . . . but you won’t be going quite that far.
- About 15 feet before the next raised concrete sewer, stop. Look towards your left (north).
- Looking over all the trees, spot one (about 100 feet away) that has a huge trunk and is a little taller than the rest. Head toward that tree.
- Letterbox-Hybrid cache is located on the back side of the tree -- hidden under natural debris.
There are 4 separate stamps – an engine, coal car, lumber flatbed, and caboose. You can make your own train stamp as long (or as short) as you like. Please do not take any of the stamps as a souvenir. Leave an imprint of your own stamp in the book. Please make sure to cover the cache up well before you leave. Let me know if the cache needs any first aid. ENJOY!