National City in San Diego County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

National City Depot

Transcontinental Railroad

Photographed by Michael Kindig, August 11, 2007

1. National City Depot Marker

Inscription. This National City California Southern Railroad Depot, built in 1882, served as the first Pacific Coast Terminus Station of the Santa Fe Railway System's Transcontinental Railroad. The station was the West Coast general office and figured prominently in Santa Fe's effort to break the economic and transportation monopoly of California held by the Central/Southern Pacific Railroad. The first transcontinental trains arrived in November 1885, resulting in one of the largest land booms in the history of California. Of the original five transcontinental railroad terminus stations, this unique Italianate designed station is the lone survivor.

Erected 1997 by State Department of Parks and Recreation in cooperation with the City of National City and the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus, Squibob Chapter. (Marker Number 1023.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, the California Historical Landmarks, and the E Clampus Vitus series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1885.

Location. 32° 39.627′ N, 117° 6.689′ W. Marker is in National City, California, in San Diego County. It can be reached

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from Bay Marina Drive west of West 23rd Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: National City CA 91950, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Peninsular 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 Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: National City Historic Railcar Plaza (a few steps from this marker); USS Farenholt Memorial - Battle of Cape Esperance Oct 11-12, 1942 (approx. 1.8 miles away); United We Land (approx. 3.2 miles away); The Naked Warrior (approx. 3½ miles away); History of Golf in Coronado (approx. 3.6 miles away); Carlin House - 1939 (approx. 3.7 miles away); "Imagine Tent City" (approx. 3.8 miles away); San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge (approx. 3.9 miles away).

Photographed by Michael Kindig, August 11, 2007

2. National City Depot Marker

Railroad Spikes - Part of the Marker Base image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Kindig, August 11, 2007

3. Railroad Spikes - Part of the Marker Base

National City Depot image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Kindig, August 11, 2007

4. National City Depot

Transcontinental RR Station (1886) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Kindig, August 11, 2007

5. Transcontinental RR Station (1886)

Model Railroad image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Kindig, August 11, 2007

6. Model Railroad

Photographed by Michael Kindig, August 11, 2007

7. Model Railroad

National City Historic Depot image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Kindig, August 11, 2007

8. National City Historic Depot

Photographed by Michael Kindig, August 11, 2007

9. Transcontinental RR Station (1886)

El Camino Real Bell image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Kindig, August 11, 2007

10. El Camino Real Bell

Credits. This page was last revised on July 29, 2018. It was originally submitted on December 29, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. This page has been viewed 1,133 times since then and 29 times this year. Last updated on July 29, 2018, by Thomas Dorman of Laurel, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 30, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on January 5, 2012, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.