From "The History of Old Farmington" by Ruth Hewitt and Aileen Groves: The first railroad (known as the Sierra Railroad) came to Farmington in the early 1870's. It came from Stockton and went as far as Sonora. In 1909 a two-story depot was built and was used until 1932. In 1910 a Southern Pacific Motor Car came through Farmington early enough to pick up students for school (for those who attended the high school which was in Stockton) and make a return trip to bring them home in the afternoon. In 1898 "The Woman's Railroad" was being actively promoted by Mrs. Annie Kline Rikert who asserted she would have offices in Sonora within the year. The Woman's Railroad had secured right-of-ways out of Stockton and into the foothills toward Copperopolis and was selling stock at $100 a share. The route was to run to Sonora. The Woman's Railroad had become a highly controversial subject in Tuolumne County, and some thought the service would be better than those offered by Sierra Railroad. Mrs. Rikert said, "The Sierra is a good railroad but does not fill the bill. Sierra charges $20 a ton to get ore out; we could have this ore out for $9 a ton." At this time, the Woman's Railroad began to topple. She blamed Sierra officials (she said she did not have sufficient funds to pay her creditors) and the Spanish-American War for the failure. (This information was taken from the book, The Sierra Railroad, written by Dorothy Newell Deane.) The grades of the railroad can be seen north of Highway 4 which got as far as the old Stuart Ranch. Mr. Funk and Mr. Griffen put up money for the rails and, of course, lost their money. Some reported the rails were stolen later. Her work camp was located in an old house north of Highway 4 opposite the Minden Valk place, out in the field.

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Farmington School is back in session. This year the school has added new computers funded with after school program funds. The school is encouraging parents to join the PTC and attend the meetings. The PTC helps fund many important events for the students.

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Congratulations to Tanya Campoy, as she was married on June 25th to Kevin Sanchez. They honeymooned in Hawaii. They have purchased a home in Escalon and both are teachers for the Lodi Unified School District. Wishing them all the best on their new journey and blessed happiness in starting their new life together.

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I would like to hear from you. Have you taken a trip? Have you had out of town visitors? Let me know of family birthdays, anniversaries and new arrivals to your family. Please contact me if you have items for the Farmington News column. E-mail me at farmingtonnews@gmail.com or phone 896-6697.