Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Santa Barbara Railroad Station

Photographed By Santa Barbara Parlor NSGW

1. Santa Barbara Railroad Station Marker

Inscription. The Southern Pacific Railroad erected this handsome building in 1905 to serve the growing Santa Barbara community and its resort hotels. The architect was Francis W. Wilson of Santa Barbara. Designed in the Mission Revival style, the station has been in continuous use ever since.

The Wells Fargo Express Company constructed the building behind the station in 1906. It was later owned by the Railway Express Agency and provided mail and package distribution services into the 1960s. The signalman’s building southeast of the station was built in 1910 and was used as crew quarters.

The railroad station was declared a city landmark in 1980. In 1995 the railroad depot property was purchased by the City of Santa Barbara Redevelopment Agency and was restored to its original grandeur in 1998–1999.

Erected 1999 by Native Sons of the Golden West & Native Daughters of the Golden West.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West, and the Southern Pacific Railroad series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1905.

Location. 34° 24.826′ N, 119° 41.542′ W. Marker is in Santa Barbara, California, in Santa Barbara

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County. Marker can be reached from State Street. The marker is in the circular planter around the palm tree at the east end of the building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 209 State Street, Santa Barbara CA 93101, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Private Railcar Spurs (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Moreton Bay Fig Tree (about 500 feet away); Fly To-Day (about 600 feet away); El Capitán Portolá (about 600 feet away); Bridge MP 36729 Santa Barbara Subdivision (about 800 feet away); Burton’s Mound (approx. 0.2 miles away); Burton Mound (approx. 0.2 miles away); Santa Barbara's First People (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Santa Barbara.

Santa Barbara Railroad Station image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Baker, 2017

2. Santa Barbara Railroad Station

Wells Fargo Express Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Baker, 2017

3. Wells Fargo Express Building

Built in 1906, now a Greyhound bus station.

Signalman’s Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Baker, 2017

4. Signalman’s Building

Built in 1910. Located across the tracks.

<i> Southern Pacific Rwy. Sta. & Shore Line Limited, Santa Barbara, Cal.</i> image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Detroit Publishing Company, circa 1910

5. Southern Pacific Rwy. Sta. & Shore Line Limited, Santa Barbara, Cal.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 22, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 8, 2021, by James King of San Miguel, California. This page has been viewed 345 times since then and 63 times this year. Last updated on June 19, 2022, by James King of San Miguel, California. Photos: 1. submitted on July 8, 2021, by James King of San Miguel, California. 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 13, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 5. submitted on July 12, 2021. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.