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Location DB > United States > California > Richmond > Point Pinole
 Name
Point Pinole
 Viewing Options
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 Database Info
created by rapcw on 10/1/2006 4:27 AM
last modified by rapcw on 10/2/2006 3:48 AM
 Viewability
Publically Viewable Publically Viewable
This location has been labeled by its creator as Public, and therefore can be viewed by anyone.
 Overview
 Description
A regional park containing the remains of the dynamite factories which once operated here.
 Basic Information
Type: Outdoors
Status: Abandoned
Accessibility: Easy
Recommendation: check it out if you're nearby
 Physical Information
Address

Richmond, California
United States
Owner: East Bay Regional Park District
 Hazards
  • rust
  • unsafe flooring
  • water
  •  Interesting Features
    The pier, the various cement remains, the two story storage building.
     Security Measures
  • 24 hour guard
  •  Historical Dates
    Built: 1881
    Closed: 1960
     Required Equipment
  • long pants / sleeves
  • towelettes
  •  Recommended Equipment
    Camera, drinks and food; nice place for a picnic
     History
    In 1881 the Safety Nitro Powder Company was established on the northern shore of the point and coexisted with the already existing farmers and ranchers on the peninsula. The plant was served by a rail line running along the point's southern shore and a shipping wharf. Between 1882 and 1886 Granite Powder Co also briefly operated in the area. But it was the next company, Giant Powder Co, that did the most to change the Point's activities.

    After being kicked out of San Francisco and Berkely after major explosions rocked both cities, Giant Powder Company was forced onto Point Pinole, then considered the sticks. In 1892 the Giant company consolidated with the existing Safety Nitro plant and renamed everything with the Giant name: Giant Station, Giant Village, Giant Highway, etc. During World War I, Giant bought out the nearby little town of Sobrante, then a Croatian fishing village and weekend retreat for wealthy San Franciscans, making Point Pinole just a dynamite related peninsula. In 1915 the newly formed Atlas Powder Co. bought out Giant, but kept the Giant name and trademark. Atlas soon made many improvements mechanizing and streamlining the mechanizing the manufacturing process, eliminating the more dangerous manual labor jobs. New safety features were also added, like earthern embankments and eucalyptus rows around manufacturing buildings to contain explosions, wooden rails and walkways to help prevent sparks, and new employee safety requirements. By 1917 Point Pinole had become an industrial center and company town with its own railroad station, worker housing, and a private recreation area named Giant Park, which closed after the stock market crash in 1929.

    During World War II, a new explosive, ammonium nitrate, was introduced which could be produced for one quarter the cost of dynamite, a development which eventually led to Atlas Powder closing Point Pinole's operations in 1960. In 1961 Point Pinole was considered by NASA as the site of the Mission Control Center which would eventually be built in Houston. The land was then built by Bethlehem Steel Company, which tore down many buildings and cleaned up the area for use as a proposed billion dollar steel plant. The narrow gauge rail network was sold for use at Disneyland. But the proposed steel plant never got anywhere, and in 1971 the East Bay Regional Park District bought the first bit of land for the Point Pinole Regional Shoreline.
     Media Coverage

     Future Plans
    Will remain in its present form as a regional park.
     Stories


    Add your own story
     Photo Galleries
    Click to view gallery
    Point Pinole
    Sun, Oct 1st, 2006
    posted by rapcw
    24 pictures
    Click to view gallery
    Nitro Trail Remains
    Sun, Oct 1st, 2006
    posted by rapcw
    8 pictures
    Click to view gallery
    Miscellaneous
    Sun, Oct 1st, 2006
    posted by rapcw
    5 pictures
     


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    Mark all galleries as Seen
     Web Links
    http://www.ebparks...parks/ptpinole.htm - Regional Park website
    http://www.abag.ca...ccess/ptpinole.htm
    http://www.bahiker...s/pointpinole.html

    http://grouper.com...%3d%26fu%3d254154& - A video I took of the remains on the Nitro Trail.
     Contribute

    Edit this Location
     Moderator Rating
    The moderator rating is a neutral rating of the content quality, photography, and coolness of this location.

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     Validation
    This location's validation is current. It was last validated by Emperor Wang on 10/2/2006 9:00 PM.

     Latest Changes
  • on Oct 2 06 at 21:00, Emperor Wang validated this location
  • on Oct 2 06 at 6:17, rapcw made this location available
  • on Oct 2 06 at 6:11, rapcw updated the main picture
  • on Oct 2 06 at 6:09, rapcw updated the main picture
  • on Oct 2 06 at 6:06, rapcw updated gallery picture ptpinole 110.jpg
  • on Oct 2 06 at 6:04, rapcw updated gallery picture ptpinole 108.jpg
  • on Oct 2 06 at 5:59, rapcw updated gallery picture ptpinole 112.jpg
  • on Oct 2 06 at 5:59, rapcw updated gallery picture ptpinole 071.jpg
  • on Oct 2 06 at 5:58, rapcw updated gallery picture ptpinole 112.jpg
  • on Oct 2 06 at 5:58, rapcw updated gallery picture ptpinole 071.jpg
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