The narrow gauge railroad that had served San Anselmo since 1874 was converted to standard gauge and electrified in 1903. This was the beginning of the inter-urban train-ferry service that provided reliable transportation for commuters into San Francisco for many years, and San Anselmo maintained its prominence as a major junction on the system. The opening of the Golden Gate Bridge in 1937, however, brought about the demise of the Northwestern Pacific’s commuter line. With passenger ridership and revenue declining, the railroad company petitioned to abandon service.
NWP Train at the Hub
Westbound train heading to San Anselmo from San Rafael, ca. 1940
In the weeks before train service ended on the night of February 28th, 1941, rail fans and railroad historical groups organized excursions over the Northwestern Pacific line. An old steam locomotive pulled several of the oldest wooden coaches as passengers and spectators snapped photographs. Below an excursion train has left San Anselmo on its way to San Rafael.
Excursion Train, 1941
The tracks near the San Anselmo depot were removed within days of rail service shutdown. Within a year all the tracks had been removed, including the tracks to San Rafael. It would take several more years before title to the railroad right-of-ways were cleared, and they became part of the town’s road network.
In1948, the Highland Intercity Development Association, anxious to promote business growth along the stretch of roadway between San Anselmo and San Rafael, encouraged the city councils to rename the roadway “Miracle Mile.” A new eastbound lane on the old railroad right-of-way was completed, making the double lane roadway we have today. A newspaper article suggested that the name Miracle Mile was taken from a stretch of Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles known as the Miracle Mile.
Entrance to the Miracle Mile, 1948