[1] A toll road was built from Los Gatos to Santa Cruz, passing through the eventual site of Laurel, and was utilized by stagecoaches.

Then, a narrow gauge railroad was constructed over the mountains to provide transportation for lumber and the numerous crops grown in the area.

During the construction of the Summit tunnel (which leads to Wrights), a strong flow of natural gas was encountered, and an explosion followed, which resulted in the death of 32 Chinese workers.

[2] At Laurel, the rail line entered another long tunnel, continuing to the southwest and emerging just north of Glenwood.

[4] The railroad recovered from the disaster and operated until heavy rains in February 1940 caused major landslides; the Southern Pacific decided not to repair the damage.