By 1905, Roseville consisted of a small handful of nondescript buildings huddled
closely together around the railroad. Population had stabilized at 250. The Southern
Pacific, successors to the Central Pacific Railroad, announced its intention to move
its terminal and repair facilities from Rocklin to Roseville. This move ushered in a new
era which would change Roseville from a sleepy little agricultural shipping station to
the most important freight handling terminal on the Pacific Coast.
A phenomenal period of business and commercial growth accompanied the railroad
expansion. Between 1911 and 1920, Lincoln Street and adjacent blocks continued to reap
the lion's share of Roseville's retail trade. Soon the old buildings dating from 1906
and earlier were becoming increasingly obsolete and long time established businesses
were receiving increasing competition from Vernon Street businesses.
In 1948, work started on the long sought after Washington Blvd. underpass designed to
relieve the interminable railroad traffic delays at Lincoln Street which connected
north and south Roseville. The completion of the Washington Blvd. underpass on
April 1, 1950 marked a major change for Roseville's Old Town business district as an
important commercial center. Closure of the Lincoln Street surface crossing resulted
in Old Town
finding itself incredibly isolated from the rest of the community.
By 1961, Roseville's Old Town had become largely a ghost town. This was the situation
until 1977 when a revitalization movement was inaugurated by a group of new, young
energetic merchants and business leaders eager to restore Roseville's historic Old
Town business district.
Since that time the Historic District merchants and property owners, aided by the city
and federal support, have worked with Determined Resolve To Restore Roseville's
Historic Old Town as a vibrant business, commercial and cultural center of Roseville.
Roseville City Council 2008
Mayor Jim Gray
Councilmember John Allard
Councilmember Richard Roccucci
Councilmember Carol Garcia
Mayor Pro Tempore Gina Garbolino
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