Oregon Central Railroad Records, 1867 - 1902

Collection context

Summary

Title:
Oregon Central Railroad records
Dates:
1867 - 1902
Abstract:
Financial records and bridge alignment notes from the construction of the Oregon Central Railroad
Extent:
2 Linear Feet 1 half-box + 4 volumes
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Oregon Central Railroad Records, MS 136, California State Railroad Museum Library & Archives, Sacramento, California.

Background

Scope and content:

Miscellaneous volumes include bridge alignment notes, a journal of minutes, and a volume of subscriptions tothe Portland Subsidy Fund to raise money for construction of the Oregon Central Railroad between 1867 and 1870.

Biographical / historical:

The Oregon Central Railroad (East Side) 20.08 miles from east Portland south to New Era, Oregon, was incorporated April 22, 1867, built during 1868 and 1869, and reached New Era December 24, 1869, although it was not opened to traffic until after sold to the O&C on March 29, 1870.

The Oregon Central Railroad (West Side) 46.80 miles from Portland via Gaston to St. Joseph was incorporated November 17, 1866, and constructed between April 15, 1868, and November 3, 1872. Despite the similarity of names, this was a rival of the east side company. It was operated by its own organization from the time the first section was put in operation - December 1871 - to September 1, 1879, although it had come under control of the O&C on July 2, 1870, and from that date until October 6, 1880, by the Western Oregon Railroad as lessee. It was sold to the O&C October 6, 1880. This section of track later formed a part of the Southern Pacific's electric interurban service in Oregon which started in 1912 and 1913. The section between Bertha (near Portland) and Beaverton, 5.92 miles, was abandoned in 1932.

[Guy Dunscomb, A CENTURY OF SOUTHERN PACIFIC STEAM LOCOMOTIVES, 1862-1962 (Modesto, California: 1967), p. 395]

Acquisition information:
Southern Pacific Railroad, New York Collection
Processing information:

Formerly part of MS 10

Arrangement:

Arranged alphabetically by type of material.

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 2025-12-19 17:58:39 +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 Librarian. 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], Oregon Central Railroad Records, MS 136, California State Railroad Museum Library & Archives, Sacramento, California.

Location of this collection:
111 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95814, US
Contact:
(916) 323-8073