In early 1877, the Central Pacific Railroad (CPRR) began construction of two lines meeting at Martinez.

The first train from Oakland to Martinez ran on September 22, 1877, with regular scheduled service beginning the next January.

[4] On December 6, 1879, the CPRR opened a new line from Benicia to Fairfield, where it connected with the California Pacific Railroad to Sacramento.

A train ferry was operated between Benicia and Port Costa; Martinez was cut off from transcontinental service.

[5] The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway opened a line through the south part of Martinez in 1899, with a station at John Strentzel's fruit ranch.

[11][8]: 67  The city acquired the vacated old station that year; it was used as a temporary library building, and may be converted into a museum.

[13][8]: 73 In 2008, the city acquired an industrial parcel north of the tracks to serve as an additional parking lot.

The city decided in 2013 to build a less-expensive bridge across Alhambra Creek, linking the lot to Berrellesa Street.