Walk Historic Point Richmond
In the late 1890’s, the San Francisco and San Joaquin Valley Railway purchased 57 acres of Point Richmond and adjoining land to build a railroad. In 1900, the completed project was purchased by the Santa Fe Railroad. A year later the Pacific Coast Oil Company, soon to become the Standard Oil Company, began construction of a refinery here. Employees and families of both the refinery and the railroad moved into the Point in those early days, laying the foundations for the community you will find here today.
In 1979 Point Richmond was designated a Historic District and today it appears on the National Register of Historic Places. There's no better way to acquaint you with the history and charm of the Point than by downloading this guide to a short walking tour (345kb), lacing up those sneakers, and getting started.
The recently restored Trainmaster's
Building, Point Richmond.
Another interesting walking tour has been mapped out by Susan Schwartz. Susan hosted the Berkeley Path Walkers in October 2006 and generously agreed to share her notes and map. Hint: Print out the map at 200% size for easier reading.
Type of streetcar
used on the Refinery-County Line.
Image (I-7-125-DC) courtesy of the Point
Richmond History Association.