Melissa Johnson became the new postmaster in Tehachapi, California four months ago. She is already making an impact in the area. What was her first order of business? Create a cancellation for the Tehachapi Loop. Click here for the story.
The Tehachapi Loop is located eight miles west of Tehachapi, CA near Hwy 58. It is there that a world famous railroad achievement of the 19th century took place. The feat took place in the 1870′s, as the Southern Pacific (Central Pacific) Railroad was trying to link their rails in central California to those in Southern California. The Tehachapi Mountain range blocked the path, so the Southern Pacific Railroad decided to go southeast through the Tehachapi Pass.
The summit at Tehachapi Pass was 4000′. Engineer William Hood was looking at a rise of 2,735 feet from Caliente, CA to the summit. The maximum grade permitted was 2.2%. By routing the track alongside the slopes of the Tehachapi foothills, engineer William Hood could envision completing the task. However, there was an apparently unsolvable problem with an increase in elevation of nearly 80 feet. In the 1870′s that was unattainable using typical designs.
It was at this point that history saw the birth of the Tehachapi Loop. American engineers and Chinese workmen undertook construction. The entire track from Bakersfield to the summit was completed July 10, 1876. In all, in addition to the loop, there are 18 tunnels with a total length of 8,240′. There are 8,300 degrees of rotation as the track twists and turns through and along the mountains. The total distance from Caliente to Tehachapi (summit) is about 16 miles.
So now, 129 years later, this railroad marvel is recognized in postal fashion. Thanks to a new postmaster who has baked up some cookies for her open house at the post office, located just 2 miles from the loop. Those interested in getting an envelope or postcard stamped in commemoration of the Loop’s anniversary may come to the Keene post office on July 8, the cancellation’s official date, or send an envelope with items to be cancelled to Postmaster, Tehachapi Loop Station, P.O. Box 9998, Keene, CA 93531. These items must be at the post office within 30 days of July 8.
