Port Costa

Port Costa was founded in 1879 as a landing for the railroad ferry Solano, owned and operated by the Central Pacific Railroad. This put Port Costa on the main route of the transcontinental railroad. The Solano, later joined by the Contra Costa, carried entire trains across the Carquinez Strait from Benicia to Port Costa, from whence they continued on to the Oakland Pier. For a time, it was also the United States' busiest wheat-shipping port and had a reputation as a colorful, sometimes violent community.After California's wheat output dropped in the early 20th Century and especially, after the Southern Pacific (which took over the operations of the Central Pacific) constructed a railroad bridge at Martinez in 1930 to replace the ferry crossing, Port Costa lost population and importance. Bill Rich was an influential property owner and raconteur. Since the late 1960s, it has mainly been a small shopping venue for antique hunters and a gathering place for bikers and motorcyclists.Port Costa's first post office was established in 1881. Westbound Capitol Corridor at Port Costa Port Costa Westbound Capitol Corridor at Port Costa Capitol Corridor Capitol Corridor Capitol Corridor Carquinez Suspension Bridge Old Pier Port Costa Ship Port Costa Carquinez Suspension Bridge Port Costa Port Costa Amtrak train Carquinez Suspension Bridge Old Barn Old Building Old Barn Old red barn Sparkys garage. Port Costa Smokey Port Costa House. Port Costa Burlington Hotel. House Port Costa. 1898 Catholic Church Port Costa. Post Office. Port Costa Reflection. Warehouse Cafe. Warehouse. The Wheat Dock Tires. Vintage. Coffee Co. Door. Frontier Gas. comment | share Type your message and click Add Comment It is best to login or register first but you may post as a guest. Enter an optional name and contact email address. Name Name Email help private comment Bill Taylor 07-Mar-2011 05:40 The banner is really cool ! Cedric Sims 07-Mar-2011 04:15 Nice gallery Don, the banner shot is nice also! Bill Taylor 06-Mar-2011 04:26 Very nice gallery ! Type your message and click Add Comment It is best to login or register first but you may post as a guest. Enter an optional name and contact email address. Name Name Email help private comment click on thumbnails for full image