San Carlos in San Mateo County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
San Carlos Station
1888 - 1988
Photographed by Syd Whittle, October 29, 2006
1. San Carlos Station Marker
Southern Pacific constructed this station in 1888 to meet the needs of the new town of San Carlos. The use of the Richardsonian Romanesque Revival style of architecture was exceedingly rare for railroad depots in California. This style and the use of Almaden sandstone are strong links to Stanford University and its architect, Charles Coolidge, who may have designed this station. The station has served as a church, post office, library and restaurant. It was designated as a city Landmark in 1976 and in 1984 it was added to the National Register of Historical Places.
Erected 1988 by The San Carlos Lions Club.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1888.
Location. 37° 30.437′ N, 122° 15.617′ W. Marker is in San Carlos, California, in San Mateo County. It can be reached from the intersection of El Camino Real (State Highway 82) and San Carlos Avenue. Marker is located at the San Carlos Train Depot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 599 El Camino Real, San Carlos CA 94070, United States
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Francisco Bay Area and on the Coast Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: San Carlos Depot (a few steps from this marker); Thaddeus Kerns (approx. half a mile away); Pan American Airways "Philippine Clipper" Martin (M-130) NC-14715 (approx. half a mile away); City of San Carlos Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.1 miles away); Ralston Hall (approx. 1.6 miles away); S.M. Mezes (approx. 1.7 miles away); Redwood City Sesquicentennial (approx. 1.7 miles away); Mezes Park (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Carlos.
Additional keywords. Railroad Depot
Photographed by Syd Whittle, October 29, 2006
2. San Carlos Station Marker
via NPS, unknown
3. Southern Pacific Depot
National Register of Historic Places Digital Archive on NPGallery website entry
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Historic American Buildings Survey (Library of Congress)
4. San Carlos Station -
HABS CAL,41-SACAR,1-
Historic American Building Survey (LOC)
Historical Building Survey Significance:
The Southern Pacific Depot at San Carlos is a rare example of the use of the Richardsonian Romanesque style in California railroad station architecture. It was the first permanent building erected by the San Carlos Land Company to form the nucleus for their speculative town development.
Also see attached link for additional photos.
Click for more information.
Historic American Building Survey (LOC)
Historical Building Survey Significance:
The Southern Pacific Depot at San Carlos is a rare example of the use of the Richardsonian Romanesque style in California railroad station architecture. It was the first permanent building erected by the San Carlos Land Company to form the nucleus for their speculative town development.
Also see attached link for additional photos.
Click for more information.
Photographed by Syd Whittle, October 29, 2006
5. San Carlos Station
Photographed by Syd Whittle, October 29, 2006
6. San Carlos Station
Historic American Buildings Survey (Library of Congress)
7. Reconstructed Baggage Doors
HABS CAL,41-SACAR,1-
These doors had been removed and lost by Southern Pacific in the 1960s or 1970s, and were reconstructed using original plans and historic photos for guidance.
These doors had been removed and lost by Southern Pacific in the 1960s or 1970s, and were reconstructed using original plans and historic photos for guidance.
Photographed by Syd Whittle, March 28, 2011
8. Reconstructed Baggage Doors
Photographed by Syd Whittle, October 29, 2006
9. San Carlos Station Sign
Credits. This page was last revised on January 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 3, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,977 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 3, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 3. submitted on April 1, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 4. submitted on April 10, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 5, 6. submitted on September 3, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 7. submitted on April 10, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 8. submitted on April 5, 2011, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 9. submitted on September 4, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
