To preserve & promote the history of Roseville
Roseville Railyard Explosions
In April 1973, explosions occurred in the Antelope section of the Roseville railyards. Twenty-one boxcars loaded with munitions in route to Vietnam began to burn and explode. Continuing for hours, the explosions threw shrapnel and unexploded ordinance over the surrounding area. This caused massive damage to Antelope, destroyed tracks, and overturned locomotives and railcars. Many homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed, but no lives were lost.
The Roseville Historical Society has a mission to preserve and promote the history of Roseville, California. We occupy the Carnegie Library Museum at 557 Lincoln Street in Roseville and are open to the public from noon to 4 pm Monday through Saturday. Admission is free. We maintain displays on local railroad history including a model train display and a collection with vintage model trains. We also have displays of military artifacts, musical instruments, kitchen appliances, medical instruments and tools. Books on local history can also be purchased at the Carnegie Museum or from our website.