Selections From The Splinters - Volume 14

H R Holbrook's Report to Thos Nickerson from Albuquerque, relative to the Colorado River crossing

Pages 189 through 190

Albuquerque, 9-11-1880.

Thos Nickerson, Esq
President

Dear Sir-

I have received yours of the 30th inst. Our crossing of the Colorado River may be considered practically the same as the crossing of the A&S Survey of 1871 - it is only three and one fourth (3-1/4) miles higher up the river. This, I think, will make no difference in the values of the lands and we can get away from the Colorado River with the same line west just as well as at the lower, or A&P crossing of 1871.

I think the land near the crossing of the Colorado has not been surveyed. Will find out about that however as soon as I can. There should be something of a town near the crossing, and I think it would be a good plan for the company to own the land, if it does not come on a railroad section. The important town for that country may be, however, from 40 to 70 miles more or less East of the river, near the mining country. Its location I think will be decided by the future development of the mining country.

I know but very little of the topographical features of California. Was at the crossing of the Big Colorado and about 50 miles beyond, in 1867. This all I have ever seen of Southern California. I cannot find Clifton on my map. Colton is a short distance southwest of San Bernardino.

I have drawn a red line on the enclosed map through the country. I should look for a line to connect the A&P with the So. Pacific with a view of building to San Diego. This line by my map would leave the A&P road at a point about 225 miles west of the crossing of the Colorado River. Thence in a southerly direction, crossing the San Bernardino Mountains through Cajon Pass and connecting with the SO. Pacific Railroad near the town of Colton, or perhaps a little west of that place. This distance from my map, between the two roads, would be about 50 miles; thence the best line, everything considered, to San Diego, say 100 miles or thereabouts. I should look for a line over this route for the following reasons:

• 1st. It seems to be the shortest connection that can be made of the two roads, the A&P and SO. Pacific.

• 2nd. I think from all reports it would tap a better country, near San Bernardino, than any point east of that.

• 3rd. It would make the shortest line from to San Diego and probably through a country of more resources than from a connection with the So. Pacific further east. Of course, with San Diego as the only objective point, a much more direct line can probably be obtained, from our crossing of the Colorado River, to San Diego, than to turn off from the old A&P survey as indicated, but with San Diego and San Francisco both as objective points, in the future, it seems to me the line as indicated on the map would be the best (The A&P is noted on map by black line).

Don't think Mr Lewis Kingman knows about this country. He has never been over it to my knowledge. Mr. Howard Schuyler was over this country for the K P road in 1867, and could probably give a good deal of information in regard to it. I think Mr Morley was over it for the AT&SF RR. Will find out what I can in regard to this matter and write you any additional information.

Yours truly,

(sgd) H R Holbrook

Chief Engineer

Page 189 through 190 Volume 14 Splinters transcribed in altered form for the Web by Russell Crump

Site maintained by Russell Crump all rights reserved© 913-962-4556 73077.2356@compuserve.com, 10808 W 76th St., Shawnee, KS 66214