Southern Pacific Depot Bench returns to Martinez
In the 1860s, the Carquinez Strait was recognized as providing ideal conditions for harbor facilities, particularly a deep water channel close to the southern shore. The owners of the Central Pacific Railroad realized that by building a line from Oakland along the south shore of the strait and beyond would allow for low level access to the agriculturally rich Great Central Valley, a crossing by ferry or bridge to the north shore, and service to numerous developing port facilities.