Category:Bitumen

Bitumen today is defined as a black viscous mixture of hydrocarbons obtained naturally or as a residue from petroleum distillation. However the historic usage is a naturally mined substance consisting of viscous hydrocarbons which might be mixed with sand, dirt, and small gravel that is solid at normal temperatures but when heated can be spread to create a smooth surface. In the 1880's naturally occurring bitumen was quarried, amongst other locations, in the Santa Cruz mountains and near San Luis Obispo. The South Pacific Coast Railroad spread melted bitumen on the floor of the Alameda Mole Ferry Terminal, the floor of the Neptune Gardens Pavilion and delivered tons of bitumen for street and sidewalk paving in Santa Cruz, San Jose, Oakland, and San Francisco.