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Van Ness Boulevard Subway (Fresno, California)

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The Van Ness Boulevard Subway is a railroad underpass which was constructed in 1927.  This subway served as a replacement for a previous at-grade crossing of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway.  The structure is the point where Fresno city ends and the unincorporated Fresno County island of Fig Garden begins.  Van Ness Boulevard Subway serves the dual purpose as being considered the southern terminus of Christmas Tree Lane which is held during the month of December.  



The history of the Van Ness Boulevard Subway

When the Van Ness Boulevard extension was commissioned north of downtown Fresno and Weldon Avenue it crossed over the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway at-grade.  This at-grade crossing proved to be dangerous as Van Ness Boulevard became a popular way for automotive traffic to travel to/from downtown.  

The at-grade crossing along Van Ness Boulevard at the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway can be seen on the 1921 United States Geological Survey map of Bullard.  What is now Wishon Avenue north of Shields Avenue can be seen a block east as part of the Fresno Traction Company streetcar line to Fresno Beach at the San Joaquin River.  


During 1927 the Van Ness Boulevard Subway was constructed to grade separate it from the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway.  The nearly completed subway can be seen a Fresno Morning Guardian article from said year.  


In 1939 Fresno Traction converted to bus service which led to Wishon Avenue being commissioned north of Shields Avenue over the former streetcar line.  This addition permitted traffic to pass much more freely through the unincorporated community of Fig Garden than previously.  Despite the extension of Wishon Avenue the Van Ness Boulevard Subway more or less has remained the main entryway of Fig Garden.  

Below the Van Ness Boulevard Subway can be seen facing south.  An Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe shield is still present on the subway structure.  The subway serves as the boundary where the Fresno city limit begins.  North of the subway Fig Garden remains an unincorporated Fresno County island now surrounded by Fresno.  The structure is known to be flood prone due during heavy rain due to being located below grade.


The Van Ness Boulevard Subway also serves as the southern extent of Christmas Tree Lane.  Christmas Tree Lane is held in Fig Garden from the beginning of December to Christmas Day on Van Ness Boulevard between Shields Avenue to Shaw Avenue.  Van Ness Boulevard is adorned with Christmas lights above the roadway and most homeowners put emphasis on creating elaborate decorative displays.  Christmas Tree Lane began during 1920 following the death of a child who once lived along Van Ness Boulevard.  Christmas Tree Lane has only been interrupted by World War II during 1941 and an energy crisis during 1973.  

The Van Ness Boulevard Subway as it was during the Christmas Tree Lane walking event of December 2019.


A closer view of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe shield still on the subway structure.  The line would consolidate with Burlington Northern in 1995 to form Burlington Northern, Santa Fe Railway.  


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