VIGNETTE > La Verne Railroad

Locust Station, Mill Valley

In 1909, local capitalists sponsored a project to construct an electric railroad to Muir Woods and Big Lagoon [Muir Beach]. Passengers would board the train at Locust Station. The new tracks would come off the Mill Valley line at Doherty’s Lumber Yard at Evergreen and Miller, where Whole Foods is today. The line was to follow La Verne Ave. up to the Dias ranch then down to Muir Woods. From there it would follow Redwood Creek to Big Lagoon. An editorial in the Mill Valley Independent was enthusiastic: “The feasibility and excellence of the proposed electric railroad is beyond question. Some day some far seeing financier is certain to build the railroad to Big Lagoon and Willow Camp [Stinson Beach]. The possibilities of that spot on the Coast are just being made known and have long been unappreciated. It is a certain proposition that before many years one of the finest summer resorts in the State will be located on the sea coast in that neighborhood, which will rival Santa Cruz, and bid for more San Francisco patronage because of its closeness to the city. For that reason, the railroad that will be constructed will prove a valuable investment for the owners.” The project died for lack of subscriptions.

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LaVerne Railroad