This little park is one of the newest in Rocklin and features a covered picnic area, a few benches and a nice rose garden.
The location of the park is exactly where the 1867 Rocklin Roundhouse was located when the transcontinental railroad was being constructed eastward into the Sierra. The park layout recreates the layout of the original roundhouse which included 25 engine stalls and a turntable. The rose garden is planted between railroad rails that have been placed to mimic where the steam engine stalls were once located.
What happened to the original roundhouse? Well, early Rocklin suffered from numerous fires (one of the reasons that there are so few buildings left from the 1800's). The roundhouse burned down in 1869, was rebuilt, burned down again in 1873 destroying 10 steam engines. It was then used until about 1908 when operations were moved to Roseville. Within just a few years the roundhouse had become an eyesore and the city required the railroad to demolish it. A portion of the original granite rock wall from the roundhouse is still visible around the western side of the park.
This park is just a portion of what will eventually become Rocklin's Heritage Park which will extend across Rocklin Road down Front Street. It will include the fully restored and historic St. Mary's Chapel as well as a recreation of the original 1900 fire house (currently under construction).
If you are wondering where downtown Rocklin is located, this was the original heart of the city in the 1800's. It's nice to see that the history of this town is being honored with the construction of this park. read more