Drawbridge Ghost Town

 

1

71

Paige C.

San Francisco, CA

While I don't condone putting yourself or anybody else at risk, this post is for information only and not to be used a a guide.

I did the trek out to drawbridge back in October of 2006.  There are still a few buildings standing and you can even walk up to a few of the old sheds on dry days. Most of the sightseeing is done from the train tracks that run through the middle of drawbridge.  The train tracks are elevated but the rest of the area where the houses are is pretty muddy and you probably wont get very far in the marsh.  Trains come over the tracks regularly, so anyone going must be alert be especially when crossing the bridge.  There is plenty of space to stand at the bottom edges of the elevated area (about 10-15 feet away from where the train runs). The girlfriend and I both were carrying mountain bikes while at drawbridge and while crossing the bridge and we didn't have any problems.

Pics Included:
http://www.flickr.com/...

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8

90

Ryan S.

NY

Drawbridge was a once thriving small community located toward the cusp of the bay in Fremont, California. The houses here were built on structures that kept them raised above the marsh. Some people lived in Drawbridge as a summer  home, and some lived here throughout the year fishing and hunting.

As the houses were built on a marsh, the ground eventually began to subside and soon the structures began sinking into the ground. All who lived here were forced to evacuate as the living conditions and buidlings were no longer up to code. I believe the last man to leave left somewhere in the 70s. Since this time it has remained as a ghost town.

An eerie area where rooftops are parallel with the ground. Some buildings still remain above the marsh, but for the most part  everything looks as if it has been demolished or damaged by fire.

Techincally you are not allowed to go here by foot, but you can get to Drawbridge following the railroad track from the Alviso Wildlife refuge. It is quite a walk, around 30-45 minutes. And since most of the buildings are gone some might find the sights not worthy of the journey.

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0

24

Sebastian M.

San Jose, CA

I give Drawbridge three stars... two for the incredible interest factor involved in an actual ghost town located in the SF bay, and one for the fact that you can still see it from afar.

A lot of websites talk about the possibility of going to check out Drawbridge up close and in person, but I contacted SF Bay National Wildlife Refuge and they strongly, STRONGLY urged against it.  I guess the only way to trudge out there is via railroad tracks that are among the busiest in California, with trains coming along at better than 70 miles per hour.  If a train comes when you are on those tracks, you don't have anywhere to go except into the bay. On top of the danger of the trains, I was also informed that it is illegal to be out there on the tracks and you can earn yourself a big fine if you are caught trespassing.

To see Drawbridge safely from across the slough, go to the Mallard Slough Trail and hike out to the water.  The trailhead is at the Environmental Education Center in Alviso.  Also, the SF Bay National Wildlife Refuge also offers a slide presentation about Drawbridge and its history once a quarter at their Visitor Center in Fremont.  If you want to check it out, go to their website and check their calendar.

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