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.