The Story of the Benicia-Martinez Railroad Drawbridge

Did you know our Benicia-Martinez Railroad bridge is actually a drawbridge? Constructed a a cost of $12,000,000, the bridge took 18 months to build and became second-longest railway bridge in North America. When the bridge opened in 1930 it ended the ferry service from Benicia to Port Costa and changed Benicia forever.

Join us on Sunday, May 17 at 2pm to learn more about this incredible engineering marvel from local historian and author, Allan Gandy, who will present his extensive research and a trove of photos taken by Southern Pacific engineer C. M. Kurtz.

Presented in collaboration with the Benicia Public Library.

This event is part of the Society's efforts to highlight Benicia's Railroad Legacy. For more, please visit the Society's special exhibit currently on display at the Museum of History Benicia, 2024 Camel Road, Benicia, CA on Fridays and Saturday from 1pm - 4pm.