In 1863, a ten mile long short line was built from Brighton Station on the Sacramento Valley RR to this spot. It was called “Freeport” because it avoided the high charges for landing freight and passengers at the Sacramento City embarcadero. The short line became a popular short cut to the “Washoe” mines. Central Pacific RR bought the line in 1865 and removed the track in 1866 to eliminate competition, making it a short lived short cut short line.