#0780-9 First Transcontinental Railroad - Cape Horn Promontory

Title

#0780-9 First Transcontinental Railroad - Cape Horn Promontory

Site information:

The promontory is at the end of Cape Horn, which isn't easily accessible, and there isn't much to see there if it were.  The difficulty is what makes this landmark interesting. 

I believe the idea of the bench at the plaque location is that you could sit and look out at the Cape Horm Promontory and the railroad the plaque describes. However, over time tree growth has obscured the view. In photo 3, through the small window in the branches, you can see a small bit of the promontory.

39.112336,-120.932846

Plaque information:

Private plaque at 1001 CA174, Colfax 

39.110175,-120.949864

Plaque text:

View of Cape Horn Promontory
North Fork American River Canyon

Dedicated to the memory of thousands of Chinese who worked for Charles Crocker on the Central Pacific Railroad. They were lowered over the face of Cape Horn Promontory in wicker Bosun’s chairs to a point 1332 feet above the canyon floor. The ledge created for the railbed was completed May 1866. They are honored for their work ethic, and timely completion of the Transcontinental Rails ending in Promotory, Utah, May 1869.

Dedicated May 8, 1999, Colfax Area Historical Society, Inc.

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Geolocation