The 'Ram's Horn' Tracks Cleared for Construction
A Supreme Court ruling clears the way for the Columbia & Puget Sound Railroad to proceed with construction, settling a long-standing legal battle over land access.
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There is now no further obstacle to the rebuilding of the 'Ram's Horn' tracks from Columbia Street north, the supreme court having decided that the Colman restraining order cannot be continued in force pending appeal. The decision stems from a motion by James M. Colman and Agnes H. Colman against the Columbia & Puget Sound Railroad Company. The court concluded that the lower court had no authority to grant a stay of the project without proper notice. As a result, the restraining order and bond are stricken from the files, allowing the railroad to resume its work.
“The supreme court does not think additional force could be given it by negative compliance by respondents, and they should not be refused relief because they have not sooner asked for it.”
The 'Ram's Horn' tracks were a vital, albeit contested, piece of infrastructure in the development of Seattle's waterfront and rail access. The legal clash between landowners and rail companies over right-of-way and access remains a familiar rhythm in the city's ongoing struggle to balance private property rights against large-scale public transit and industrial development.
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