About SideTracked Caches
This cache belongs to the SideTracked series. It is not designed to take you to a magical place with a breathtaking view. It's a distraction for the weary traveler, but anyone else can go and find it too. More Information can be found at the SideTracked Website
This cache also qualifies for the Disappearing RR Blues bonus cache. This series highlights the railways of NW Oregon.
About Southern Pacific Rockaway Beach Depot
Welcome to Rockaway Beach. This cache highlights the old Rockaway Beach train depot across Hwy101 and the railroad tracks from the cache location.
The rail line came through Rockaway Beach starting around 1910. The first passenger train from Portland to Tillamook was in 1911. Trains stopped at Rockaway around 1912, probably when the depot was constructed. Rockaway became a popular destination in the 1920s with Portlanders. Families would stay at the beach resorts, with the Dads remaining in Portland to work. But the "Daddy train" would arrive on Friday afternoons, bringing fathers back to be with their families for the weekend.
With the advent of the automobile and better roads, passenger trains declined. In 1932 dedicated passenger trains ended, but mixed trains continued until 1953. The passenger depot soon became surplus. At some point, the depot was moved north to its current location, no longer facing the tracks. If anybody has more history about the move, please send it on.
Fightght service from Portland stopped after a large flow along the Salmonberry River washed out a good portion of the line in 2007. All rail cars on the coast were stuck without a rail connection to Portland. The Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad operates a tourist train from Garibalidi, ending at Rockaway Beach, a little south of this location. Occasionally trains run up to Wheeler.