Muir Trestle, Railway bridge in Martinez, California.
Muir Trestle is a railway bridge in Martinez, California, that carries trains across Alhambra Valley on concrete supports rising approximately 75 feet (23 meters) above ground. The steel structure spans around 1,600 feet (488 meters) and continues to handle active rail traffic today.
The bridge was built in 1897 after John Muir and his wife Louisa granted the railroad right of way across their land. Its construction through an active pear orchard marked a shift from agricultural to industrial use of the landscape.
The trestle sits within the John Muir National Historic Site and represents how railroad expansion changed the valley's character. Today it remains a tangible reminder of how transportation infrastructure transformed rural communities.
The bridge remains active for train operations and can be viewed from designated spots near the John Muir National Historic Site. Visitors should approach from public areas to safely observe the structure and watch trains pass through the valley.
The bridge was constructed directly through a working pear orchard, creating a complex situation between farmers and railroad engineers at the time. This unusual overlap shows the compromises needed when new rail lines had to cross active farmland.
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