About the Depot:
·
In the
1880’s the Southern Pacific railway constructed a branch line heading east
from Saugus to tap into the fertile farmlands of the Santa Clara River
valley. Rails reached Fillmore in 1886 and a depot was built to serve the
newly founded town. Once the SP had completed construction of its line from
San Francisco to Ventura, the Santa Paula branch was upgraded to mainline
status on SP’s fabled “Coast Line.”
In 1903 the Santa Paula Branch was relegated back to a branch line
after the Montalvo to Burbank Junction cutoff was
completed through the San Fernando Valley.
·
The depot is
a fine example of Southern Pacific’s wood frame, single story, common standard plan #23, of which hundreds were built system
wide. During its time in service, it was located at milepost 474 and was
classified for passenger ticket sales, class “A” freight
and express shipments. It also had a stock pens and water facilities for
stock shipments.
·
Having been
relocated off SP property, the depot was eventually moved back along side
the old main line in downtown Fillmore when the line was transferred to
private interests. It is currently located within a historical park and has
been partially restored.
·
Passenger
traffic has once again returned as Fillmore is now the end of the line for
the Fillmore and Western Railway, an operating railroad museum.
