Western Pacific Tunnel Collapse 1962

Unfinished History

Mariposa & Carolina Jul 1, 1962 opensfhistory wnp010.10074.jpg

Mariposa & Carolina Streets, July 1, 1962 during fire in tunnel.

Photo: OpenSFHistory.org wnp010.10074

Western Pacific Tunnel Fire. view southeast on railroad right of way from Mariposa at Carolina. Looking at northern entrance of Western Pacific tunnel. The city plugged both ends with concrete and the railroad abandoned the tunnel. The city demanded $781,000 and settled with the railroad for $700,000 in 1964.

Texas near Sierra circa 1962 opensfhistory wnp69.00773.jpg

Texas Street near Sierra, June 30, 1962 during fire in tunnel.

Photo: OpenSFhistory.org wnp69.00773

Missouri & Sierra Jun 30, 1962 opensfhistory wnp69.00154.jpg

Missouri & Sierra Streets, June 30, 1962.

Photo: OpenSFHistory.org wnp69.00154

Pothill-whole-at-19th-and-arkansas.jpg

Arkansas and 19th, hole indicating collapsed tunnel beneath in July 1960. Note the public housing projects in mid-distance.

Photo: Potrero Hill Archive Project

Protrero Hill tunnel cave in 1962.JPG

July 1962, collapsing tunnel beneath the hill.

Photo: courtesy Vance Chan

Potrero Hill Aerial Jul 3, 1962 View nw from above Sierra St opensfhistory wnp27.3353.jpg

Potrero Hill Aerial Jul 3, 1962—View northwest from above Sierra St.

Photo: Opensfhistory wnp27.3353

23rd & Pennsylvania Jul 1, 1962 opensfhistory wnp010.10079.jpg

23rd & Pennsylvania Streets, July 1, 1962, during conflagration in Western Pacific tunnel.

Photo: OpenSFHistory.org wnp010.10079