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Southern Pacific Railroad Yards

Southern Pacific Railroad Yards

Southern Pacific Railroad Yards Overview

Soon after 1900, laborers reworked some 373 miles of the original Central Pacific (now the Southern Pacific) line between Reno and Ogden, Utah.

In 1904, the terminal in Wadsworth was moved to this location, which became the town of Sparks.

The railroad dismantled a huge forty-stall locomotive roundhouse in 1959.

The machine and erecting shops are still standing.

Category

  • Event
  • Railroad

Marker Type

Blue marker

Nevada Historical Marker Number

Southern Pacific Railroad Yards is Nevada Historical Marker #189.

Click here to view the full list of Nevada State Historical Markers.

County

Washoe County, Nevada

GPS Coordinates

39.534695, -119.752618

Nevada Historical Marker Transcription

Soon after 1900, laborers reworked some 373 miles of the original Central Pacific (now the Southern Pacific) line between Reno and Ogden, Utah.  The effort involved shortening the line in some places.  One such change took Wadsworth (Nevada), a division terminal, off the main line.  During the summer of 1904, the terminal was moved to this location, which became the town of Sparks.

The railroad dismantled a huge forty-stall locomotive roundhouse in 1959.  The machine and erecting shops are still standing.

Had it not been for the railroad yards being moved here, the City of Sparks would not exist.

STATE HISTORIC MARKER NO.  189

STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE

STAN AARONSON, BSA

References Used

Southern Pacific Railroad Yards