California Southern Transcontinental Terminus Depot Plans Added

California Southern transcontinental terminus depot west elevation plan National City California

The California Southern Railroad’s depot in National City, California is the last transcontinental terminus depot in the United States at its original location and in its original condition. The Italiante-style depot was built in 1882, the fruition of more than 10 years work to secure a transcontinental railroad link for the San Diego Bay region, and marked an end to the monopoly of the Southern Pacific Railroad in California. The depot is currently operated as a museum by the San Diego Electric Railway Association.

The Historic American Buildings Survey of this building was completed before the depot was renovated to its original state in 1998. The plans we’ve published from the survey include a site plan, four exterior elevations, first and second floor plans, roof plans, a section plan and two detail plans.

San Francisco & San Jose Railroad Depot, Menlo Park California Plans Added

San Francisco and San Jose Railroad Depot, Menlo Park California
Northeast (track) side of the San Francisco and San Jose Railroad Company Menlo Park, California depot. Photography by Jack E. Boucher, 1974

The oldest railroad station still in use in California sits in Menlo Park. It was built in 1867 by the San Francisco and San Jose Railroad Company, the first incorporated railroad line in the state. It’s quaint architecture would make a nice addition to any 19th to mid-20th Century model railroad layout. Check out the plans.