Black Point Railroad Bridge

The Black Point Railroad Bridge is a steel truss swing bridge that crosses the Petaluma River. Its rotating center section allows river traffic to pass through while connecting asymmetrical approach spans on both sides.

The San Francisco and North Pacific Railroad first built a bridge at this location before the Northwestern Pacific Railroad constructed the current structure in 1911. This transition reflected the consolidation of railroad operations in the region.

The bridge became a central location for railroad workers, ticket sales, and community gatherings during the early twentieth century development.

The bridge sits in a remote location and is best viewed during daylight hours when approach roads are most navigable. Visitors should expect unpaved access routes and bring their own supplies since amenities are minimal.

Remote control systems installed in 2011 replaced the century-old manual operation that required operators to staff a control house on the bridge. This upgrade allowed the historic span to stay in service while simplifying daily operations.

Location: Sonoma County

Location: Marin County

Inception: 1911

GPS coordinates: 38.11220,-122.50190

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:43