Coalinga
Central Valley
California
If you have ever driven Highway 5 down the center of California you have undoubtedly stopped at Harris Ranch, a half-way point between the metropolitan areas of northern and southern California. Just on the other side of the highway is the town of Coalinga.
In the early years of railroading, before the extensive development of oil production in California, the steam locomotives were powered by the burning of coal obtained from the northern foothills of Mount Diablo. The Southern Pacific Transportation Company established the site as a coaling station in 1888, and it was called simply Coaling Station A.
While there isn’t much to the town for tourists, there is one absolutely fabulous local museum. The R.C. Baker Museum is the home to this perfectly restored Richmond Oil Gas Station. You do not have to enter the museum, though worth it, to view the gas station. It is behind a big fence however, so if you want a tour, stop by the museum itself and ask to take a look.
