Old Sacramento State Historic Park - Sacramento, California

 

Old Sacramento State Historic Park and Railroad Museum - Sacramento, California

This area is filled with historic buildings such as the 1849 Eagle Theater, the 1853 B.F. Hastings Building (which was once home to the California Supreme Court) and the 1855

Big Four Building.  There are over 50 historic buildings in this area which means that Old Sacramento has more buildings of historic value in its 28 acres than any area of similar size in the West!

Sacramento was the terminus for the Pony Express and America’s first transcontinental railroad. 

The Railroad Museum houses more than 20 restored locomotives and railroad cars, along with thousands of smaller artifacts and a variety of exhibits in the 100,000 squ. Ft. main exhibition facility.

“Evidence of a Dream” is a 20 minute documentary on the railroad’s importance to developing California is shown every hour.

In the main exhibit hall you will see the Transcontinental Railroad display, the Developing California, Making America exhibit; Railroad Work, Railroad Life exhibit; Travel by Train (passenger travel during the railroading’s Golden Age) exhibit; American Icons with steam locomotives of various sizes from 1860 to 1940 exhibit; and the Small Wonders toy trains, children’s activity area and changing exhibits.

To help protect the artifacts smoking, food, drinks and chewing gum are not allowed in the museum.  Hand held, noncommercial photography and video recordings are permitted.  Tripods are not allowed in the museum.  Commercial photography and filming should be arranged in advance.

More of the buildings in the historic district include the Dingley Spice Mill Building which was destroyed in the disastrous 1852 fire, it was rebuilt and restored to its circa 1860 appearance.  The Central Pacific Railroad Passenger Station is a reconstruction of the western terminus of the first transcontinental railroad circa 1876.  It is complete with ticket office, telegraph office, main waiting room and separate waiting room for ladies and children only.  It is open daily for tours (entry included with Railroad Museum admission.)

The Central Pacific Railroad Freight Depot shows the steam powered excursions trains arrive and depart form this reconstructed late 1800’s transcontinental railroad freight station.  Departures are Saturday and Sunday, April through September, hourly 11 – 5.  Special holiday “theme” trains depart on selected weekends October through December (separate tickets are required.)

Railroad Museum Location: Corner of Second and I Street, Sacramento, California 95814

Information: 916-445-6645

 

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