Colfax: The Railroad Gateway to the Sierra
Colfax occupies a distinctive place in California history. Long before the Gold Rush, Nisenan people lived throughout the Bear River region. The settlement that followed was first called Alder Grove and later Illinoistown, becoming an important supply center for the surrounding mining camps by the early 1850s.
The town’s future changed dramatically with the arrival of the Central Pacific Railroad in 1865. Colfax became the end of the line for two years while thousands of workers pushed the tracks through the rugged Sierra toward Donner Summit. Supplies, equipment and labor flowed through the town, making Colfax a critical staging point in the construction of the western portion of the Transcontinental Railroad. The community that developed around the tracks was named for Schuyler Colfax, a prominent supporter of the railroad.
That heritage is still visible in historic downtown, where trains remain part of the landscape and community celebrations such as Colfax Railroad Days honor the city’s defining role in opening the Sierra to rail travel. Colfax has retained the unpretentious character of a small mountain railroad town while becoming a convenient home base for modern foothill living.
Located where Interstate 80 begins its climb into the higher Sierra, Colfax provides access to both the Sacramento region and the mountain communities toward Donner Summit and Lake Tahoe. Nearby forests, trails, lakes and river canyons offer abundant opportunities for hiking, fishing, swimming and exploring. Homes range from properties near the historic town center to wooded retreats and larger parcels in the surrounding hills—making Colfax especially appealing to those who want small-town character, natural beauty and a strong connection to California history.
