Railroad history in Pacific Grove, California

Locke Boarding House Museum State Park, located at 13916 Main Street in Walnut Grove, California, is a historic park and tourist attraction that offers visitors a glimpse into the past. Originally known as the Jack Ross Boardinghouse, it was constructed in 1909 for Chinese men working on the Southern Pacific Railroad. The Kuramoto family operated the boarding house until they were interned during World War II, after which it became the Locke Boarding House in 2008. Designated as a National Historic Landmark, the Locke Boarding House is part of the Locke Historic District, a Chinese-American community established in 1915. The town of Locke is the largest and most intact surviving example of a historic rural Chinese-American community in the United States. Visitors can explore the museum and learn about the history of the area, as well as enjoy the charm of the town with its alleys, gardens, galleries, and stores.

Welcome to Asilomar Station, a charming historical site nestled in the picturesque town of Pacific Grove, California. Our location, a mere 0.1 miles from the elusive Lake Majella, serves as a fascinating portal into the rich railroad history of the region. Asilomar Station is renowned for its unique 'Greek Cross' architectural style, a design shared with only two other stations in the area: Lake Majella and Newell Junction. Once a bustling hub of activity, the station played a vital role in the transportation of freight, particularly during the mid-20th century. In its heyday, the station saw the daily arrival of freight trains, comprising a mix of boxcars and hoppers, powered by diesel locomotives and accompanied by a classic caboose.