The Southern Pacific San Ramon branch line opened in 1891 from Martinez to San Ramon after local ranchers persuaded the railroad to build it, providing a better way to move people and goods than the stifling dusty roads of summer and the impassible mud roads of winter. A Southern Pacific standard design station #18 depot like the one in Danville stood just south of here until the unused depot was demolished in 1927. Unique to San Ramon was a gallows turn-table and a shed to store the engine overnight. San Ramon was the end of the line until 1909, when the railroad was extended to Pleasanton. Historic San Ramon was ½ mile west down Depot Road (Fostoria Way). The branch line closed in 1978, and today the Iron Horse Regional Trail follows the original railroad tracks.