Thursday, February 28, 2013

Freight Train Graffiti


Some say graffiti is art. Others say not. Regardless, it's vandalism unless authorized by the property owner.

February 25 to March 3 theme for Take 25 to Hollister: Trains and Railroads


February 25 to March 3 theme for Take 25 to Hollister: Trains and Railroads - See more at: http://www.take25tohollister.com/#uds-search-results
February 25 to March 3 theme for Take 25 to Hollister: Trains and Railroads - See more at: http://www.take25tohollister.com/#uds-search-results
February 25 to March 3 theme for Take 25 to Hollister: Trains and Railroads - See more at: http://www.take25tohollister.com/#uds-search-results
February 25 to March 3 theme for Take 25 to Hollister: Trains and Railroads - See more at: http://www.take25tohollister.com/#uds-search-results

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Box Cars


The freight box cars usually sit behind the cannery warehouse on Sally Street.

During the Great Depression, my uncle rode the freight train to get from here to there to find work. Just like in the movies, he hopped onto a box car. He rode all over with hobos. Funny, how he never considered himself one. 

February 25 to March 3 theme for Take 25 to Hollister: Trains and Railroads
 

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Railroad Crossing


The Union Pacific freight train comes into town almost every day, especially during the cannery season. You don't have to be downtown to know it's here. Toot! Toot! can be heard at least as far as Sunnyslope School.

After watching this 2007 video by Tom Vance, I now understand why the train whistles so much. And, it's not because it's saying "Hello, people!" It's more like "Hey people! Look out! I'm bigger and heavier than you and may crush you if you insist on suddenly getting in my path."

Vance shot a freight train leaving Hollister on an April day.  I was somewhat dumbstruck as I watched the first part of the video as the train left town. Drivers swooshed over the tracks before the railroad gates came down; two teenage girls walked in front of the train; and one driver backed off the tracks. As the video shows the train lumbering out of town, you see country sights you can't see as you're zooming down Highway 25. Take a look. Here's the link again.

February 25 to March 3 theme for Take 25 to Hollister: Trains and Railroads

Monday, February 25, 2013

The Old Train Depot

The theme this week, February 25 to March 3,  is Trains and Railroads. . .


You can find this plaque, which was placed by two chapters of the E Clampus Vitus, in front of the old train depot at the east end of Fifth Street. It states:
Hollister Train Service
The Tres Pinos branch of the Southern Pacific Railroad began train service to Hollister on July 13, 1871. Train service was a main reason the population grew from 300 in 1870 to over 2000 by 1873. Besides passenger service, major commodities shipped have included hay, produce and beer. The final passenger excursion occurred on October 30, 1955. The depot, originally constructed in the late 1860's, was fully restored by the Rodriguez family in 1991. 
Today, the depot is home to a restaurant and a few other establishments. Click here to see a photo of how it looked in 1968. And, here's what it looks like a few years ago.


Sunday, February 24, 2013

2013 Hollister Motorcycle Rally

2011 Hollister Motorcycle Rally (unofficial)

Yes. The Hollister Motorcycle Rally is officially on this year. The last one, a financial disaster managed by the City of Hollister, was in July 2008. Not that the motorcycle rally really disappeared. For four years, bikers continued to trek to Hollister over the July 4th weekend to pay homage to the Birthplace of the American Biker.

So, it's back. July 5 and 6. Promoters and supporters are happy and excited. The word is that bikers can park themselves on main street and not in some distant lot from the original site where the 1947 riot took place.  For details about the rally, head over to the official Web site.

And, if you're interested in some history about the annual Hollister Motorcycle Rally, check out these links.
 Today marks the end of this week's theme: Bikers, Motorcycles, and Hollister.  
 

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