Transcontinental Railroad, Chinese laborers focus of annual Rocklin Reads events

Rocklin Friends of the Library has partnered with the Rocklin Historical Society for the annual Rocklin Reads program in October. This year's programs focus on the Chinese laborers who built the Transcontinental Railroad as well as Rocklin's role during that period of history. Two books – a definitive history and a family-friendly novel – are this year's selections. Gordon Chang's "Ghosts of Gold Mountain" explores the history of how Chinese laborers did the monumental work of building the Transcontinental Railroad from Sacramento to Utah for Union Pacific. The second and more family-friendly book is "Dragon's Gate," which targets younger readers and their families. The Young Adult novel follows a teen, who leaves China to join his father in California to work on the Transcontinental Railroad. Both books are available through the Placer County Library system. After reading the books, families can explore Rocklin to find answers to clues offered on a self-guided scavenger hunt through historic Rocklin. The questionnaire is available on the Rocklin Friends of the Library (rocklinfriends.org) or the Rocklin Historical Society (rocklinhistorical.org) websites. In addition to finding answers in the books, participants will need to visit the Rocklin Library, the Rocklin History Museum and the historic roundhouse site. To claim a prize, participants can turn in completed questionnaires either at the Rocklin Library, 4890 Granite Drive (at Rocklin Road) or the Rocklin History Museum, 3895 Rocklin Road (at San Francisco St.) by Saturday. A presentation on the roundhouse and the site of the Chinese community will begin at noon Saturday in the Historic Roundhouse site (rose gardens) on Rocklin Road. Rocklin Historical Society Past President Dr. James Carlson will share maps and the history of the site. Participants will also be able to view the Native American mortars as well as the Chinese-built granite drainage system. Finally, Keith Waddell, the Roseville Roundhouse Model Railroad Association president, will give a presentation on the history of the Transcontinental Railroad and the work of the Chinese at 7 p.m. Saturday via Zoom. Born in London, Waddell emigrated to the U.S. in 1994. Following a career in science (analytical chemistry), Waddell and his wife retired and settled in Lake of the Pines. Waddell said his love for railroads started when, at age 12, he rode a steam train to school every day. As an adult, he has built four model railroad layouts. In 2019, Waddell and five other model railroad enthusiasts developed an N scale layout depicting Rocklin and Roseville, including the Chinese settlement in Rocklin, at the Transcontinental Railroad completion in 1869. The train layout is housed at the Roseville Roundhouse Model Association clubhouse at 9707 Cook Riolo Road, Roseville. To register for Waddell's Zoom presentation, visit eEventbrite.com. The Rocklin Friends of the Library promote and support the Rocklin Library, the Placer County library system, and encourage community interest in libraries, reading and lifelong learning. The Rocklin Historical Society's mission is to generate community interest and support for the presentation of Rocklin's heritage.