Colfax: Railroad History and Excursions

Colfax combines an early railroad history with distinctive buildings and trails in the surrounding area. When choosing a destination, there are two main areas of focus: the town’s history and outdoor activities. If you’re looking for a hotel in Colfax, you can first consider whether you’d like to explore historic markers or take excursions in the wider area.

Railroad History in Colfax

Colfax is home to an early station on America’s transcontinental railroad. The First Transcontinental Railroad Marker records that the first train arrived in Colfax in September 1865. The walk to the historic markers can be done as an easy stroll through the flat town center. This way, the town’s history is a focus not only at individual buildings but also during a walk through the town center.

Among the surviving railroad buildings is the Colfax Freight Depot. Built by the Central Pacific Railroad around 1880, it is the only surviving freight depot of its type in Placer County. The Colfax Passenger Depot was built in 1905 by the Southern Pacific Railroad Company. Another historic building is the Colfax Theatre, which opened in 1939 with 394 seats. The dates span the arrival of the railroad in September 1865, the depots, and the opening of the theater in 1939.

The restored Southern Pacific Passenger Depot at 99 Railroad Street houses the Colfax Chamber of Commerce, a visitor center, and the Colfax Heritage Museum. The museum shop sells books on local history and railroad memorabilia; admission to the museum is free. A visit lets you find several information and local-history stops in one building.

Hiking and Excursions

The current Stevens Trail starts at the trailhead in Colfax and ends at the confluence of Secret Ravine and the North Fork of the American River. The trail is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Auburn State Recreation Area stretches from Auburn to Colfax and is another option for outdoor activities.

Pennyweight is in the Auburn State Recreation Area, in the wider Colfax area. This family-friendly out-and-back hike is about 1.7 miles long. There are opportunities to pan for gold and swim in the summer. This gives you a choice between the Stevens Trail, with its named endpoint at the confluence, and a shorter hike with an approximate length specified.

Nearby Rollins Lake is open to boats year-round and has a beach as well as seasonal camping. The time frames differ: swimming at Pennyweight is a summer activity, camping at Rollins Lake is seasonal, while the lake is open to boats year-round. If any of these options are important to your trip, check current conditions in advance.

Practical Information

There are other places to visit in town, too: the Colfax Splash Pad is across from Lions Children’s Playground and next to the ball field. These location details can help you find your way if you’re planning to visit several places in town during your trip.

Colfax sits at an elevation of 2,400 feet. The weather is highly variable and consistently cooler than in the valley. Take both into account when planning your trip, and allow some flexibility in your clothing and daily schedule rather than relying solely on conditions in the valley.

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