Here is a picture of one of the houses that was torn down. It's not a great picture, but you can still see it. It's the green one down behind the diner.
These were found near Fort Bragg and I've also found them around Eureka, both near the northern coast, and also around Ukiah, a little farther inland. These are most likely old logging railroads. Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to check for dig sites unless I ran across them accidently while working. I found a small logging camp near Eureka once that looked to be out of the 1930's and the only shack still standing was a 13 hole outhouse. Yep a 13 holer. It was about 8 feet wide and 20 to 30 feet long. I've got some pictures of it around here somewhere I'll try to find them. I didn't dig it at the time cause it wasn't old enough for me but now I think maybe I should have just to see what was in it.
Anyway back to the subject, when we logged here it was the 3rd cutting for these forests. Redwood grows back quickly and these areas were logged in the mid to late 1800's then again around the 1930's and 40's. Seems like there should be quite a few old logging camps or like you mention old railroad camps.
few abandoned houses/shacks I took pics of this weekend near the farm when up at inlaws....
First one was a hand laid stone shack/house. The chimney and the foundation are all that's left. This shack sits on the side of a very steep hill on the side of a ridge. Was going to work my way to it, but the foliage was too dense. Will be hitting that place up this fall.