Description
On February 26, 1874, a group of businessmen incorporated the Monterey & Salinas Valley Rail Road, with Carlisle Abbott as
president and David Jacks, chief financier, as treasurer. Construction of the railroad commenced with 140 workers, including
Chinese workers, and was completed in September 1874. On October 23, 1874, the first train rolled on the first narrow gauge
rail operated in California. By the end of 1874, 6,000 tons of grain had been transported to Monterey for shipping. After
drought and crop failure in 1877-78, the M & SV fell into debt. In August 1879, the Southern Pacific Railroad purchased the
railroad at a foreclosure sale.