Colton Crossing

First built in 1883, it was the site of one of the most intense frog wars in railroad construction history, leading to a personal confrontation between famed lawman Virgil Earp and California Governor Robert Waterman.

The tracks are now owned by the SP's and the ATSF's successors, the Union Pacific (UP) and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railroads respectively.

The UP tracks come from the east through the Coachella Valley and into the yard in West Colton (onwards to Los Angeles).

On the other hand, the BNSF tracks from the indirect west (Los Angeles) and direct south (Riverside and Corona) continue through the crossing and on to the yard in San Bernardino, which then head up north to Cajon Pass and eventually Barstow on the journey to Chicago.

California Southern engineer Fred T. Perris ordered the crossing built and acquired the track section for the railroad.

In a letter that Victor wrote to Thomas Nickerson, then president of the California Southern, he stated: I thought it advisable to have final order of court printed and each SP employee served.

The danger of a riot was so imminent, by legal advice I had the order telegraphed to the Sheriff at SF to serve on the President or Secy.

In the meantime the Sheriff [in Colton] had organized a posse, with arms and was waiting for order of court to clear the track, on our application.

Virgil Earp stood in the gangway between cab and tender facing the San Bernardino mob, his revolver in hand.

[5][6] In December 2006, the Alameda Corridor Transit Authority (ACTA) presented a feasibility study to analyze alternatives and costs for design and construction of an east–west structure, which would grade separate the BNSF and UP main line tracks at Colton Crossing.

[6] SANBAG conducted community outreach meetings to assist the project team with selecting the final build option.