Eckley, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eckley
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Former settlement
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The City of San Francisco at Eckley in 1971
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 Eckley
Location in California
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Contra Costa County |
| Elevation | 10 ft (3 m) |
Eckley was a small area in Contra Costa County, California. It was once a very important place for trains. Before a big bridge was built, Eckley served as a special landing spot. Here, entire trains would get onto ferries to cross the Carquinez Strait.
This area is located about 4.5 miles (7.2 km) northwest of Martinez. It sits very close to sea level, at an elevation of only 10 feet (3 meters). Today, Eckley is considered a "former settlement" or a ghost town.
What Was Eckley's Purpose?
Eckley's main job was to help trains cross the Carquinez Strait. This strait is a narrow body of water connecting two bays. Before bridges were common, it was hard for trains to get across. So, special "train ferries" were used.
These ferries were like giant floating platforms. Trains would roll right onto them. Then, the ferry would carry the whole train across the water. Eckley was the landing spot on one side of the strait for the Southern Pacific Railroad.
How Eckley Got Its Name
The name "Eckley" comes from a person named Commodore John L. Eckley. He was important in the area's history. Commodore Eckley set up a place for yachts, which are fancy boats, at the cove here. Because of his work, the area was named in his honor.
Why Eckley Changed
Eckley's importance ended when a new bridge was built. This was the Benicia-Martinez railroad bridge. This bridge allowed trains to cross the Carquinez Strait directly. They no longer needed the train ferries.
Once the bridge opened, there was no need for the train-ferry landing at Eckley. Trains could just roll across the bridge. Because of this, Eckley lost its main purpose. Over time, it became a quiet, forgotten place.
Eckley Today
Today, Eckley is not a busy place. It is a reminder of how transportation used to work. It shows how technology, like building a bridge, can change a community. Eckley is now known as a "former settlement" or a "ghost town."
