Delta Explorer - Spring 2008 - (Page 7) interesting attractions WESTERN RAILWAY MUSEUM 5848 Hwy. 12 between Rio Vista & Fairfield 707/374-2978 www.wrm.org REAL McCOY & J. MACK FERRIES Rio Vista / Ryer Island Take an electric train trip through the peaceful, picturesque Montezuma Hills over the original historic main line of the Sacramento Northern Railway. As a living history museum, the Western Railway Museum gives visitors the opportunity to ride authentic historic streetcars and interurban electric trains from all over California and the western United States. Open Weekends 10:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Admission: Adults $10, Seniors $9, Children $7. For those who use the ferries on a daily basis getting to and from their destinations, it may not seem like a true “attraction.” But for those who have never experienced the ferries, it can be quite a fun trip, especially for kids. The Real McCoy is a free-running ferry which takes riders from Rio Vista to Ryer Island (and vice-versa) and the J. Mack is a cabled ferry which runs between Ryer and Grand Islands across Steamboat Slough. Rides are free and run 24 hours, except for lunch and dinner breaks. CHINESE CEMETERY Main Street/Hwy. 12, Rio Vista DUTRA MUSEUM OF DREDGING 345 St. Gertrude St., Rio Vista 707/374-6339 Just one of the many rooms at the Rio Vista Museum RIO VISTA MUSEUM 16 N. Front Street, Rio Vista (707)374-5169 MONUMENT TO HUMPHREY THE WHALE This cemetery was established in 1865, when the steamboat Yosemite made trips daily between Sacramento and San Francisco. On October 12, 1865 while leaving the Rio Vista wharf, the boat exploded killing 100 people aboard. 29 of those were Chinese who were below the deck. This cemetery was established to honor their memory. Julie Griffin This private collection represents the history of dredging in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The collection includes photographs, logbooks, ledgers, dredge models and original engineering drawings on linen. Tours by appointment only. Foot of Main Street in Rio Vista. The Rio Vista Museum came into being in 1976. Local residents contributed historical artifacts celebrating over 150 years of Delta history to found the Museum and its collection has been growing ever since. The Museum, housed in a former blacksmith’s shop, incorporates a wide range of historical artifacts and treasures gathered from homes in and around Rio Vista. Included in the Museum’s ever expanding collection are historic maps, pictures, newspaper headlines, dolls, period clothing, and farm equipment with special exhibits thoughout the year. Open Saturday & Sunday from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Admission: Donations accepted Probably the most famous humpback whale in history is “Humphrey,” who was rescued twice by the Marine Mammal Center and other concerned groups. Rio Vista became recognized worldwide and was on the nightly news for many weeks as people tracked his wayward progress. The first rescue was in 1985, when he swam into San Francisco Bay and then up the Sacramento River past Rio Vista. Five years later, Humphrey returned and became stuck on a mudflat in San Francisco Bay near 3 COM Park. Both times he was successfully guided back to the Pacific Ocean. Since leaving the San Francisco Bay in 1990 Humphrey has been seen only once, at the Farallon Islands in 1991. Julie Griffin Mike Griffin DELTA NATURAL HISTORY VISITOR CENTER DAI LOY MUSEUM Brannan Island SRA, 17645 Hwy. 160, Rio Vista 916/777-6671 www.parks.ca.gov Main Street, Locke 916/776-1661 www.locketown.com A historic restoration of a Chinese gambling hall housed in its original building which was closed down in the early 50s by the state government. Open Saturday and Sunday from 12 - 4 p.m. Admission: $1.25 per person Inside are displays on the cultural and natural history of the Delta. A large interactive map of the bay area and Delta is the most fascinating attraction. A small sales area in the Visitor Center offers brochures, maps and unique gift items. Open Saturdays and Sundays and can open by arrangement with the park staff Want More Information About the California Delta? California Delta Chambers & Visitors Center 169 W. Brannan Island Road, Isleton 916/777-4041 The Delta Chambers has a very comprehensive, informative website www.californiadelta.org Rio Vista Chamber of Commerce Office hours are: Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. CHINESE SCHOOL MUSEUM Main Street, Locke 916/776-1661 www.locketown.com Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs Amy Acuff, Licensed Acupuncturist 50 North Second Street, Rio Vista 707/374-2700 www.riovista.org Isleton Chamber of Commerce Office Hours: Monday - Friday 10:00 - 3:00 p.m. 308 2nd Street, Isleton 916/777-5880 www.isletoncoc.org Locke Association www.locketown.com Walnut Grove Area www.walnutgrove.com Discover the Delta Foundation www.discoverthedelta.com Sacramento River Delta Historical Society www.srdhs.org please mention you saw it in the delta explorer Built in 1915, the building was originally used by the Kao Ming Tong or the Chinese Nationalist Party as a meeting place and also used as Locke’s community town hall. In 1926 the building became a Chinese school to teach the Chinese language to local children after their regular school day. The historic building is now a museum. Open Tuesday through Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission: Free of Charge. spring 2008 / 7 $50/ Session 60 Main Street Isleton Call for Appointment 916-753-4554 http://www.wrm.org http://www.parks.ca.gov http://www.locketown.com http://www.locketown.com http://www.californiadelta.org http://www.riovista.org http://www.isletoncoc.org http://www.locketown.com http://www.walnutgrove.com http://www.discoverthedelta.com http://www.srdhs.org
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