The Bay Area includes many scenic cities and small towns, growing over the years to become a thriving metropolitan hub. While many towns in the Bay Area have grown exponentially over the years, one small town went from a popular weekend destination to a now-abandoned ghost town called Drawbridge. Located on a small strip of marsh just a few miles from Fremont, the town has been abandoned for over 40 years.
Originally called Saline City, the town started as a singular cabin on Station Island in 1876 for the drawbridge operator. In 1876, the South Pacific Coast Railroad was begun, spanning from the Alameda area to Santa Cruz. The railroad passed through a marshy area that saw regular barge traffic carrying fruit, vegetables, and more. To allow the barges to pass through, the railroad installed two drawbridges that were hand-operated on the newly named Station Island.
The small strip of land on the marsh saw as many as ten passenger trains a day going north and south. Initially, there was no scheduled stop at the island for passengers, but the fishing and hunting drew curious visitors. Drawbridge soon became a popular weekend attraction, bringing many Bay Area residents every weekend. By 1906, the small town had 79 cabins and two hotels for weekend travelers from other parts of the bay. The number of cabins grew to 90 by 1926, and in 1931, the town welcomed the arrival of electricity.
Even in its peak, Drawbridge was never your typical town. Cabins were built on stilts above the marsh with wooden walkways, and instead of a main street, the railroad tracks ran through the town. Drawbridge attracted hunters and nature lovers due to the unique location. It also had a reputation for attracting partiers due to the lack of police. The town even had two neighborhoods, divided by north and south. The north side was populated mainly by seasonal visitors, while the south was home to more permanent residents.
Unfortunately, Drawbridge’s liveliness was short-lived. In 1936, salt ponds and sewage dumping damaged the area’s environment, making it less habitable and appealing for visitors. By 1963, fewer than five residents remained. In 1972, the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge received thousands of acres of land in the area, including the soon-to-be-abandoned town. Finally, the last resident, Charlie Luce, officially left the town in 1976.
The town is now part of the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge and is not open to the public; it is both illegal and unsafe to visit. You can briefly see the town from the Altamont Commuter Express, Capitol Corridor, and Coast Starlight trains.