Arcata & Mad River Railroad Collection, 1885 - 1935

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Summary

Title:
Arcata & Mad River Railroad collection
Dates:
1885 - 1935
Abstract:
Consists of miscellaneous corporate files including correspondence, account books, passes, an asset inventory, boiler inspections, employment applications, freight bills, invoices, operating bulletins, passes, and a payroll record for the steamship "Alta". Correspondence is arranged chronologically and placed at the beginning of the collection. The remaining folders are arranged alphabetically by subject.
Extent:
.333 Linear Feet 1 manuscript box
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Arcata & Mad River Railroad collection, MS 95, California State Railroad Museum Library & Archives, Sacramento, California.

Background

Scope and content:

Consists of miscellaneous corporate files. Correspondence is arranged chronologically and placed at the beginning of the collection. The remaining folders are arranged alphabetically by subject.

Biographical / historical:

The Union Wharf & Plank Walk Company, a predecessor of the Arcata & Mad River Railroad, was incorporated in 1854 to construct a plank roadway (later a railroad) for transporting lumber products from Arcata (Union) on Humboldt Bay to the end of a two mile wharf for loading onto ships. In 1875, the Union Wharf & Plank Walk Company expanded operations. On June 15, 1878 it was taken over by the Arcata Transportation Company and further expanded service. The Arcata & Mad River Railroad was incorporated on July 22, 1881 to take over the Arcata Transportation Company. The A&MR expanded to serve other mills and built a line to the town of Korbel. The Arcata & Mad River Railroad ran from the end of the wharf in Humboldt Bay 12.9 miles to Korbel. The A&MR also owned a steamer "Alta" that carried passengers and cargo between Eureka and the wharf. The railroad was sold in 1903 to the Northern Redwood Lumber Co. The railroad shut down during the Depression but in 1942 it was revived. The railroad continued doing business to the mid-1980s when Eureka Southern Railroad bought the trackage.

Stanley T. Borden, "Arcata & Mad River" WESTERN RAILROADER, Vol. 17 No. 8 (Issue176), June 1954, pp.

Acquisition information:
The "Account Book with A. Brizard Hardware Co.", 1888-1903 was a gift from Graham Hardy.
Arrangement:

Arranged by material type

Physical location:
Statewide Museum Collection Center
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Library Archives staff
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2025-11-07 16:55:21 +0000 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research by appointment. Contact Library Staff.

Terms of access:

Copyright has not been assigned to the California State Railroad Museum. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the CSRM Library & Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the CSRM as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Arcata & Mad River Railroad collection, MS 95, California State Railroad Museum Library & Archives, Sacramento, California.

Location of this collection:
111 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95814, US
Contact:
(916) 323-8073
Library.CSRM@parks.ca.gov
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