Colfax Heritage Museum, California

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Colfax, California · Updated October 19, 2026 · 11 min read

Depot museumOpen Tuesday to Saturday, 9 am to 2 pm

The Colfax Heritage Museum fills the restored Southern Pacific passenger depot in a genuine railroad town, the place where the Central Pacific paused for two years in the 1860s before it began its climb over the Sierra Nevada.

  • Restored Southern Pacific passenger depot
  • Run by the Colfax Area Historical Society
  • Central Pacific terminus in 1865
  • Schuyler Colfax statue outside
  • Gift shop with local history books

Colfax Heritage Museum at a glance

Hours
Tuesday to Saturday, 9 am to 2 pm; closed Sunday and Monday
Admission
Not posted online; call (530) 346-8599 to confirm
Plan for
About 30 minutes to 1 hour
Best for
History lovers and I-80 travelers
Best ages
Ages 6 and up

Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Colfax Heritage Museum? Bring Rally along.

In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Colfax.

Page 1 of 8

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

Like it so far? See the full book

25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.

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Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.

Where the transcontinental line caught its breath

Before there was a Colfax, there was Alder Grove, a Gold Rush settlement on land the Nisenan people had lived on for thousands of years. By 1852 it was called Illinoistown and served as a supply hub for the mining camps, and that April it saw what is recorded as the first stagecoach robbery in gold country, when a gang took $7,000 in gold bullion from a Nevada City coach.

The railroad changed everything. Theodore Judah surveyed the Central Pacific in the early 1860s with a plan for some 690 miles of track through some of the hardest terrain any railroad had faced. The first train reached Colfax in 1865, and the town served as the line's terminus for two years while crews pushed over the summit. Colfax grew on railroad-owned land about a mile north of Illinoistown and took its name from Schuyler Colfax, the Speaker of the House and later Vice President who championed the transcontinental railroad. The city incorporated on February 23, 1910.

Today the town's depot carries that story forward. The Colfax Area Historical Society, a group of local history enthusiasts, operates the Colfax Heritage Museum and its office inside the restored Southern Pacific passenger depot. Members research and share the area's past, publish a quarterly newsletter, keep archives open to researchers and work with other organizations on community history projects. Many travelers know it simply as the Colfax Railroad Museum, which makes sense given where it stands.

A depot at the center of downtown

The museum is right at the railroad crossing on Grass Valley Street in the middle of historic downtown Colfax, where a statue of Schuyler Colfax stands outside the refurbished passenger depot. Inside, exhibits cover the Colfax area's railroad, Gold Rush and farming past, drawn from the historical society's collection, and the archives support anyone digging into local history. The exact exhibits change, so ask volunteers what is on display.

The gift shop sells books about local history, train memorabilia, T-shirts and other gifts, along with cold drinks and snacks, which makes the depot a handy stop off Interstate 80. The city also offers a downloadable Colfax Historic Marker Walking Tour, a good way to extend a visit around town after you leave the museum.

Don’t miss

  1. The restored passenger depotThe Southern Pacific station itself is the museum's home, a reminder that Colfax was built on railroad land.
  2. The Schuyler Colfax statueThe town's namesake, a strong supporter of the transcontinental railroad, stands at the crossing beside the depot.
  3. The historical society archivesRecords and research materials that the society makes available to people studying Colfax area history.
  4. Colfax Historic Marker Walking TourA free city flyer that guides you to historic markers around town, a natural follow-up to the museum.

A short stop that fits a road trip

The Colfax Heritage Museum is a small, local history museum, so it works best as a shorter stop with kids rather than a full day out. Children can see the depot, find the statue of Schuyler Colfax at the railroad crossing and pick out a train souvenir or a cold drink in the gift shop. The museum does not list hands-on exhibits or rides, so families with toddlers may want to pair it with a walk around downtown.

Plan your visit: tips for Colfax Heritage Museum

  • Take the Colfax exit from I-80, about 50 miles northeast of Sacramento, and follow signs downtown.
  • Look for the Schuyler Colfax statue at the Grass Valley Street railroad crossing to find the depot.
  • The museum closes at 2 pm, so plan a morning or lunchtime visit.
  • Pick up the city's historic marker walking tour flyer to see more of Colfax.

The Colfax Area Historical Society

The Colfax Area Historical Society (CAHS) runs the museum and keeps its archives, publishes a quarterly newsletter and supports local researchers. You can help by shopping in the gift shop, becoming a member, or contacting the society about volunteering. Mail for both the museum and the society goes to PO Box 185, Colfax, CA 95713, and more information is on colfaxhistory.org.

Rail history around Colfax

The Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum is only about 11 miles away in Nevada City. Down the hill, the Folsom Railroad Museum is about 31 miles, and the Truckee Railroad Museum is about 44 miles up I-80 over the summit. See all the train museums in California for more.

Every train museum in California

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of a dad lifting Rally the corgi up the big stairs of a red train car
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

Colfax is where the old railroad started its big climb over the mountains, and I can't help thinking about Rally's own climb in our book. His little corgi legs can't manage the tall train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. Some steps are just too big to take alone. My mom knew that, and it is part of why she dreamed up this story. You can read about her on our story page.

Free for train families

Print the Rally coloring pages before you go

Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.

Get the free coloring pages
Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.

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More for train families

Work or volunteer at Colfax Heritage Museum?

We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.

Sources

Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.

Colfax Railroad Museum: 20 questions before you visit

Where is the Colfax Railroad Museum in Colfax, CA?

The museum, officially the Colfax Heritage Museum, is in the restored Southern Pacific passenger depot at 99 Railroad Street in Colfax, California. It sits at the railroad crossing on Grass Valley Street in the center of historic downtown, next to a statue of Schuyler Colfax.

Is the Colfax Railroad Museum the same as the Colfax Heritage Museum?

Yes. Many people call it the Colfax Railroad Museum because it is housed in the town's restored Southern Pacific passenger depot, but its official name is the Colfax Heritage Museum. The Colfax Area Historical Society operates it and keeps its office in the same building.

What are the Colfax Heritage Museum hours?

As of October 2026, the city lists the museum as open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 am to 2 pm, and closed on Sundays and Mondays. Because the museum is run by a local historical society, call (530) 346-8599 before a long trip in case hours change.

How much does it cost to visit the Colfax Railroad Museum?

Admission prices are not posted on the city's museum page. Call the museum at (530) 346-8599 or check colfaxhistory.org before you visit. Buying a book or a cold drink in the gift shop is a simple way to support the historical society that runs the museum.

How do I get to the Colfax Heritage Museum from I-80?

Take the Colfax exit from Interstate 80, about 50 miles northeast of Sacramento, and follow the signs into town. Head to the railroad crossing on Grass Valley Street at Main Street. The museum is in the depot on the south side of Grass Valley Street, beside the Schuyler Colfax statue.

What is there to see at the Colfax Railroad Museum?

Exhibits in the restored depot cover the Colfax area's railroad, Gold Rush and farming history, drawn from the historical society's collection. The society also keeps archives for researchers. Outside, a statue of Schuyler Colfax stands at the crossing, and a gift shop inside sells local history books and train memorabilia.

Why is Colfax, California a railroad town?

Colfax was built on land originally owned by the railroad, about a mile north of the Gold Rush town of Illinoistown. The first Central Pacific train arrived in 1865, and Colfax served as the end of the line for two years while crews built the route over the Sierra summit.

Who was Colfax, California named after?

The town is named for Schuyler Colfax, Speaker of the House and Vice President of the United States, who was a strong advocate for the transcontinental railroad. A statue of him stands at the railroad crossing beside the museum. The City of Colfax incorporated on February 23, 1910.

Is the Colfax Railroad Museum in Wisconsin the same museum?

No. This page covers the museum in Colfax, California, inside the restored Southern Pacific depot off Interstate 80. If you are searching for a railroad museum in a town named Colfax in Wisconsin, it is a separate place with its own hours, so check that museum's own listings before you go.

Where can I see Colfax Railroad Museum photos?

The city's museum page includes photos of the depot credited to Dirk Gifford, and the Colfax Area Historical Society shares more on colfaxhistory.org. Travel sites such as Visit Placer also feature the museum. The depot and the Schuyler Colfax statue at the crossing are the most photographed spots.

What are reviews of the Colfax Heritage Museum like?

This page does not collect visitor reviews. Regional travel sites recommend the museum for its Gold Rush, railroad and local history in the old Southern Pacific depot. For recent opinions, look at review sites or local guides such as Visit Placer before your trip.

Does the Colfax Heritage Museum have a gift shop?

Yes. The gift shop sells books about local history, train memorabilia, T-shirts and other gift items, plus cold drinks and snacks. That makes it a handy break on an I-80 drive. Purchases help support the Colfax Area Historical Society and its museum.

Is the Colfax Railroad Museum good for kids?

It works as a short stop for school-age kids who like trains and history. Children can explore the old depot, see the Schuyler Colfax statue and pick out a train souvenir. The museum does not list rides or hands-on play areas, so pair it with a walk around downtown for younger children.

How long should I spend at the Colfax Heritage Museum?

Plan on about 30 minutes to an hour for the depot and its exhibits, a little longer if you want to browse the gift shop or ask volunteers questions. Add time for the city's historic marker walking tour if you want to see more of Colfax on foot.

Can I research local history at the Colfax Heritage Museum?

Yes. The Colfax Area Historical Society supports researchers through the museum's archives and regularly contributes to historical research and preservation. Contact the museum at (530) 346-8599 or museumcolfax@gmail.com before your visit so volunteers can help with your topic.

Who runs the Colfax Railroad Museum?

The Colfax Area Historical Society (CAHS) operates the Colfax Heritage Museum and keeps its office in the depot. Members research and share the area's history, publish a quarterly newsletter and work with other organizations. Mail for the museum and society goes to PO Box 185, Colfax, CA 95713.

How can I join or volunteer with the Colfax Area Historical Society?

The society's website, colfaxhistory.org, is the best place to start, or you can call (530) 346-8599 during museum hours. Members receive the quarterly newsletter and help with research, the museum and community history activities. Volunteers are what keep a local museum like this open.

What was the first stagecoach robbery in gold country?

The city of Colfax says that in April 1852 the Reelfoot Williams Gang robbed a Nevada City stagecoach of $7,000 in gold bullion near Illinoistown, the town that preceded Colfax. It is recorded as the first stagecoach robbery in gold country, one of many stories in Colfax area history.

Is there a walking tour of historic Colfax?

Yes. The City of Colfax offers a free Colfax Historic Marker Walking Tour flyer you can download from its history page. It makes a good companion to a museum visit, since the depot sits right in the center of the historic downtown district.

What train museums are near the Colfax Railroad Museum?

The Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum is about 11 miles away. The Folsom Railroad Museum, Folsom Valley Railway and Placerville & Sacramento Valley Railroad are each about 31 to 32 miles. The Truckee Railroad Museum is about 44 miles up I-80, and Sacramento rail sites are about 46 miles.

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