Ink manuscript map on drafting linen. 98.5x182 cm (38¾x71¾").
Rare manuscript map showing the route of the short-lived Sonoma-Marin Railroad, from Petaluma south into Marin County. Detailed are the town of Petaluma, the route along Petaluma Creek, various small settlements including Haystack,, marshlands, etc. The Sonoma & Marin Railroad evolved from the Petaluma & Haystack Railroad of Charles Minturn (known as the "Ferryboat King"), founded in late 1874 or early 1875, but apparently overextended itself, and went bankrupt in 1876, to be taken over by Peter Donahue and the San Francisco & North Pacific Railway, and the first train to run from San Rafael to Petaluma ran on 31 August 1878.
With seal and signatures of J.G. Wickersham, President; E.L. Lippitt, Secretary, and M.L. Stangroom, Chief Engineer, dated 7th June, 1875, certifying this to "be a correct Map of the located centre line of the Sonoma and Marin Company's Railroad. The land taken and obtained for the use thereof is of such a width, not to exceed one hundered feet on each side of said center line as shall be necessary for the construction of the road." Docketed in ink, "Filed in Clerk's Office of Sonoma County this 10 day of June 1875. John F. Fortson Clerk, by Geo. P. Noonan, Dep. Clerk."