Southern Pacific Engine 2252 & Snowplow - Roseville, California

DATE VISITED:  03/28/2015

HISTORICAL SITE:  The Mighty 2252 & Snowplow

LOCATION:  Atlantic St. & Vernon St., Roseville, Placer Co., CA

DEDICATED:  October 13, 2004

"In the early 1900's a decision by Southern Pacific Railroad to relocate its regional operations to this helped turn a small town once known as Junction into the City of Roseville. Locomotive 2252 is a symbol of this history and of the social and economic impact of the railroad on Roseville.

The 2252 was manufactured by Cooks Locomotive & Machine Company of Patterson, New Jersey, in March 1897, as one of 38 identical T-1 class locomotives built that year. Only 2, the 2252 and the 2248 located in Texas, remain.

A locomotive is traditionally classified by wheel configuration. The SP 2252 is considered a 4-6-0 because the engine has 10 wheels consisting of four lead carry wheels, six large drive wheels, and no trailing carry wheels.

Originally numbered SP 1838, the engine became the 2252 when Southern Pacific's numbering system was changed in 1901. The locomotive was first used for freight service along the Donner Pass Line. On May 27, 1929, it was selected and equipped to fight snow-shed, brush, and forest fires along the Donner Pass route in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

 After nearly three decades as a firefighting locomotive, the 2252 was officially retired on February 27, 1956 and subsequently donated to Roseville through the efforts of the Roseville Junior Chamber of Commerce. On April 25, 1956, as part of the "Cinderama" celebration commemorating the 50th anniversary of Southern Pacific's relocation to Roseville, it was placed on display at the Placer County Fairgrounds.

In 2001, the Community Coalition for the Relocation of the 2252 was formed when a planned expansion at the Fairgrounds made it necessary to consider options for relocating the locomotive. Thanks to the combined efforts of the Coalition, Roseville Historical Society, City of Roseville, Placer County Fair Board of Directors and the community an agreement was reached to place the 2252 on permanent display at this site.

On October 13, 2004, after a ceremony that featured a "bon voyage" christening by Roseville City officials and a train whistle salute by local students, the 70 ton locomotive was transported across the city. Today, the "Mighty 2252" steam locomotive stands as a vivid testament to Roseville's proud railroad heritage."

   

**closer look below

PERSONAL REFLECTIONS: I've gone by this monument several times knowing that at some point I'd make my way there. This monument is more of a local thing for Roseville although the history of the railroad in Roseville is well documented and has been recognized by both State and Federal historical designations.

The monument was so complete that I dont really have a lot to add. It must have cost them quite a bit! But to be honest, I really love one of the picture, I took and I can't just put some random picture, out there without an explanation, so I figured I'd just give the highlights in the life of the SP 2252. 

Next to the SP 2252, sat an older snowplow. It's history is also detailed on a plaque nearby, but it was the blades that I found so interesting.
 
But back to our SP 2252... 

1897 - built by Cooke, one of 38 identical locomotives built, given the designation as SP 1838...was used for freight on the Donner Pass line until something more powerful came along. 

1901 - SP changed their numbering system and the locomotive became SP 2252.

1929 - modified to become a "fire train". Was stationed at Cisco, Truckee, Summit or Blue Canyon. These trains were extremely important in fighting the wildfires started by other steam locomotives, particularly snow sheds at the higher elevations. They protected the route that was built in the 1860's by the Central Pacific Railroad as part of the Transcontinental Railroad. 

1950's - taken out of fire service with the introduction of diesel locomotives and modern firefighting methods.  

1956 - retired and put on display at the Placer County Fairgrounds. Only 2 survive to this day and only one, in Texas, is still in use.

2004 - moved to its current site at one of the entrances to old Roseville.

Once I was done, I checked to see what kind of restaurants were nearby and I saw a place called Chubby's. Remembering a friend at work had asked if I had ever been there...I figured it was time.

TripAdvisor review here.   

  

Ophir - Newcastle, California

DATE VISITED:  03/15/2015

HISTORICAL SITE:  Ophir

LOCATION:  Corner of Lozanos & Bald Hill Road, Newcastle, Placer Co., CA

MARKER #:  463

DEDICATED:  September 23, 1950

"Founded in 1849 and first known as "

The Spanish Corral". Area proved so rich that biblical name of Ophir adopted in 1850. Most populous town in Placer County in 1852. Polling 500 votes. Almost totally destroyed by fire July 1853. Later became center of quartz mining in this county."

**closer look below

Marker Placed By:  Placed by California Centennial Commission. Based furnished by Placer County Historical Society

PERSONAL REFLECTIONS: I drove by the monument twice before realizing where it was hiding...in plain sight on the same side of the road that my car was passing by.  I have only one defense...these roads were a bit windy and for any of you who know me...bad news!  I was not feeling all that great by the time I did find it.

The exact location of the original town is unknown to this day in spite of research by historians and scholars.

Ophir, like most towns now gone in the Sierra Nevada foothills, came into being because of the discovery of gold. The town was originally called "The Spanish Corral" but when gold started coming up in volumes, to the tune of $5 million by the time the mines were abandoned, the name was changed to Ophir as a nod to the biblical town of the same name that was considered to be the source of King Solomon's treasurers. 

It didn't take long for the town to disappear. Founded in 1849 and when fire destroyed it in 1853, it was determined that most of the gold was already pulled from the ground and people moved on to other towns.

One of the more interesting pieces of information I was able to find out about Ophir and really most places in the West, 1851 saw the formation of a "vigilance committee" in Ophir. These "committees" were formed to maintain law and order, specifically in the areas of protecting claims and settling claim disputes. There are several examples where "vigilance committees" summarily killed people but there is no mention of that in Ophir.

Ophirs placard was stolen in 2012 for its brass; which was cut away and the rest of the marker was found at the side of a road. I have to wonder if that's why the bar is in front of the monument now.

But the people of Ophir took it in stride and until a new marker could be put up, the town put up a very funny cardboard one. I was going to say that it's too bad they couldn't make it a permanent fixture in some way, but I guess since nothing on the internet ever goes away...it sort of is permanent. 

"Once the areas most thriving gold town, Ophir boasted 40 saloons, 12 dance halls, 1 jail, 5 churches and 2 women of ill repute. Sadly after 3 accidental fires the town was reduced to ashes. Ophir gave up rebuilding and joined with the town of Newcastle. Ophir now consists of 1 fire station, one school, 2 businesses and 1 graveyard. The towns current population is estimated at 700 people, 600 sheep, 500 cows, 200 chickens, 5 donkeys and 4 peacocks. The 700 Ophir residents earned the reputation for being the wildest, toughest, rough riding rebels this side of the Rio Grande. *At this very site at 2pm on the 3rd of April in the year of our Lord 1612...nothing of importance happened here. Attention. P.S. Copper thieves this plaque is worth 29 cents!"