Commerce on the Sacramento – San Joaquin Rivers dominated the early history of Contra Costa County. The rivers were a favored route to and from the booming gold fields and rapidly growing towns of Stockton and Sacramento. Along the northern shore of Contra Costa County pioneering steamships made Martinez, Black Diamond, Antioch and Marsh’s Landing important ports of call. One of the most famous of the early river steamers was the Antelope, first owned by the California Steam Navigation Company and later by the Donahue Line. The side-wheeler was one hundred and fifty feet long and carried a maximum of 300 passengers in cabins and steerage. Aided by her sleek design and excellent captains, the Antelope gained a reputation as the fastest and most reliable steamboat on the early San Francisco to Sacramento run.
Contra Costa County Historical Society
February 25, 1866 Mark Twain took the Antelope from San Francisco to Sacramento.