Santa Ana to Newport Beach

Link: http://a-r.us/nlv

• Quick Info:
• States: California   
• Railroads: SA&N, SP   

The Santa Ana and Newport Railroad

Picture

Point of Interest

	Showing of

SA&N locomotive number 2, seen at the pier at what is now Newport Beach.

On January 12, 1891, the Santa Ana and Newport Railroad began service on 11 miles of tracks running down what is now Newport Boulevard, running through present-day Costa Mesa and Newport Beach, CA. The railroad was owned by a local entrepreneurial family, the McFaddens; its operation was based on ferrying farm goods, wood and other products between the pier at Newport Beach and an interchange with the Santa Fe railroad in Santa Ana Valley. The line was also responsible for bringing thousands of passengers to Newport Beach, most of whom were from Los Angeles.

In 1899, while the SA&N was struggling with an anti-competitive rate war conducted by the Southern Pacific, it was purchased by J. Ross Clark, a U.S. Senator and millionaire thanks to his other investments in the sugar beets industry. Upon completion of the sale, Clark immediately sold the SA&N to the Southern Pacific, who abandoned the line in 1933.

The line did have at least two spurs that are known, both of which were established before Clark purchased the SA&N. The first is the Harper spur, which was located on what is now the west side of Newport Boulevard opposite E. 18th Street. The second is the Thurin spur, which was located between present-day 22nd and 23rd Streets.

Thanks to Paul Dexter for contributing information about this route.

The Clark who acquired SA&N at turn of century was W.A. rather than J Ross, who was his brother. W.A. earned his wealth in mining, as sugar only figured in their later enterprise. Rate competition between S.P. and SA&N had been competitive rather than "anti-competitive". Thurin station was between 20th-21st street (note Thurin Ave. today). For more accurate and reliable info see chapter in my "Rails Through the Orange Groves".

Steve Donaldson
Orange County previously, SF now, CA
5/11/2009

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Thanks for posting this Greg!

Paul Dexter
Costa Mesa, CA
11/19/2009

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The section of track that remains at the car wash along Harbor Blvd, was part of the spur the ran to the Santa Ana Army Air Base (served some warehouse after the base was closed). The Pacific Electric and, after the merger with the SP in 1965, the Southern Pacific ran over this track. It was not part of the Santa Ana-Newport Beach line that was built by the Santa Ana & Newport Railroad. That line followed Newport Ave throught Costa Mesa and was east of the pictured track.

Clifford Prather
Orange, CA
3/11/2010

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Thanks for the correction regarding J. Ross Clark, it was his brother William who was the senator. I believe that William and J. Ross worked together, and it actually was J. Ross' idea to purchase the railroad.

I am doing genealogical research on the Clark family, as my boyfriend, John Clark, is the great grandson of J. Ross. His grandfather was Walter Clark, who died on the Titanic.

Any further information regarding the Clarks would be appreciated, especially J. Ross. Thank you!

Jill Osgood
Portland , ME
9/1/2010

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As time passes, more details surface regarding the history of this line. Now I have learned that neither Clark actually bought the SA&N, but rather W.H. Holabird, an associate of the Clark brothers. The L.A. Times made the original mistaken report and even featured Senator Clark's likeness in its first report of the McFadden sale, but later disclosed thru subsequent interview with J.Ross in the matter that Holabird bought option on his own behalf rather than as agent of him or brother. Holabird then offered road to both SFe and Huntington, the latter accepting and integrating it into S.P. O.C. branch network.

Steve Donaldson
San Carlos, CA
10/25/2010

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I thought the Newport Santa Ana line ran up Superior from Balboa Bl... The map does not indicate. According to the Google map it appears the line crossed the the Newport Bl Bridge at PCH near Arches and scooted up Newport Bl and then the 55. Correct?

scott
NEWPORT BEACH, CA
5/29/2011

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