Sinking Underwater

A Ghost Town’s Amazing Legacy

By Anita Goldwasser and Cecilia D. Craig, Ph.D., 2017

Soft cover, 6 x 9 inches, 113 pages, $22.90
San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society
P.O. Box 234
Newark, CA 94560
http://sfbws.com

In the late 1870s, the 3-foot gauge South Pacific Coast Railroad built a line from Alameda, just across the bay from San Francisco, down the east shore of San Francisco Bay across the marshes at the end of the bay, through San Jose, Los Gatos, and through the Coast Range to Santa Cruz. A slough had to be kept open in the marshes of the south end of the bay for sailing ships bringing passengers and freight to Alviso. So, the SPC built a draw bridge over the slough, and a bridge tender’s cabin. The SPC called the spot Station, but later it was named Drawbridge and a small community sprang up. It had no sidewalks, sewer system, stores, fire nor police departments, and no church. Water came from deep wells. The nearest store and school were 3 miles down the track in Alviso. But the hardy souls who lived in Drawbridge loved its isolation. Some commuted to jobs in Oakland or San Jose.

During the 1920s, Drawbridge became popular for its duck hunting, fishing, and boating. It was also known for its “wine, women and songs.” Prohibition was ignored, and two small hotels were built to handle the crowds. As many as 500 people over a weekend were reported to have enjoyed Drawbridge’s pleasures.

However, as time passed, the towns and salt ponds surrounding Drawbridge began polluting the areas and taking ground water. The water level fell by 18 feet and the buildings on pilings had to be constantly raised. The polluted water drove away the food ducks relied on, the fish left, and swimming and boating became less fun. The last regular inhabitants left in 1978 and the town fell to the vandals.

Soon the area became part of the Don Edwards, Federal Wildlife Refuge and access was limited. I live some 10-12 miles from Drawbridge but have never visited the town. There are still a few buildings left and a van tour to an overlook was available prior to Covid-19, but Drawbridge remains a ghost town at the southern end of San Francisco Bay.

I enjoyed this book. It gives an overview of the history of Drawbridge and the people who once lived there. There are maps and small photos showing the town and surrounding area. Proceeds go to maintaining the Wildlife Refuge. Bob Brown.