Ventura County Landmark No. 23: Southern Pacific Railroad Depot, Santa Paula

Historical Background

The Santa Paula Southern Pacific Railroad Depot was constructed in 1887 as part of the great expansion of the Southern Pacific Rail System at that time (Perzel, 2017). Santa Paula’s Southern Pacific Railroad Depot accommodated both freight and passenger service in and out of Ventura County, with a heavy emphasis on the distribution of agricultural goods. Likely no single event in the County’s history changed so many people’s lives as the coming of the railroad. As was the case in numerous towns across the American West, the railroad played a major role in the development of Santa Paula. Thirteen other depots were constructed throughout Ventura County at the following locations: Oxnard, Santa Susana, Fillmore, Piru, Ojai, Camarillo, Moorpark, Sespe, Camulos, Somis, Saticoy, Montalvo, and downtown Ventura (Perzel, 2017). Of the fourteen Southern Pacific Railroad Depots once located in Ventura County, only a few remain, including the one in Santa Paula (Perzel, 2017). Passenger service at the Santa Paula depot ended in 1934 and freighting ended in 1975.

Architectural Style

Southern Pacific had standard designs for depots that were employed throughout the county. A depot design was chosen for use based on the specific needs of the area in which it was to be located. These depot structures were often prefabricated in a central location, transported by rail, and assembled on site. (Perzel, 2017).

In terms of architectural style, the depot best fits into the Late Victorian Stick/Eastlake Style, as evidenced by the presence of various styles of wood siding and wide overhanging eaves supported by brackets. Its primary building material is wood. Significant features of the structure include, but are not limited to, its floorplan, windows and doors, and interior and exterior wall finishes. The second floor of the building served as living quarters for the station agent and family. (Perzel, 2017).

Current Use

Today, the depot is the home of the Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce & Gift Store and a popular filming site for many movies and commercials. Nearby Railroad Park features a gazebo, landscaped grounds and gardens, a towering 1879 Moreton Bay fig tree (Ventura County Landmark No. 79), and a life-size outdoor bronze sculpture, The Warning. The Depot welcomed train enthusiasts aboard the antique Fillmore & Western Railway until 2021 (Discover Santa Paula, no date).