Luce; 1920-1930

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In 1887 the railroad officially named the stop Drawbridge. A sign was placed on the bridge tenders cabin/station - Drawbridge had been formerly recognized. Nevertheless, it would never be incorporated, and would always depend on surrounding communities for services. The lack of police, and Drawbridge's remote location in the bay, would soon bestow upon the not-a-town an unsavory reputation of lawlessness. Stories of drunkenness and "friendly women" are attached to the town to this very day. Much of it wishful thinking.

From the railroads inception, the train would stop to drop off, or pick up, merry hunters laden with duck. By 1890 Station Island was dotted with cabins, though the first permanent residence was not built until 1894.

Photo taken from the Mud Slough bridge. Cabins were required to be fifty feet back from the tracks to avoid the railroad right of way. The track itself was called Main Street. Because of the marsh and tides, cabins were built on stilts with an elevated walkway to the railroad track. For this privilege, the railroad charged one dollar a year.

The Precita Gun Club is on the right, just beyond the railroad water barrel.



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