Railroads of Chowchilla

Railroads of Chowchilla. . , Southern Pacific Railroad , Prior to 1912, there was no SP depot located in Chowchilla. The nearest depot was in Minturn, six miles to the north. Land developer O.A. Robertson bought the Chowchilla Ranch in 1912, and began selling parcels to ranchers, hoping to create a colony. SP decided that Chowchilla had great prospects for shipping, so they moved the depot to a site just south of Robertson Blvd. Twenty passenger and numerous freight trains passed this station daily. By the 1950's, trucks had taken most of the local shipping business away from the railroad. SP sold the depot, built in 1923, to VFW Post #9896 for one dollar. The VFW moved it to its present location in the early 1960's., Chowchilla Pacific Railroad , The Chowchilla Pacific Railroad was built by O.A. Robertson in 1915, and was operated by his United States Farm Land Co. The railroad served the area for over 40 years, running 13 miles from the SP main line in Chowchilla to Dairyland. Household belongings, farm stock, and children were its primary cargo. The Hall Scott coach, used for passengers and express service, was called the "Chowchilla Terrific" by the children who rode her to school. In 1924, the railroad was purchased by the Visalia Electric RR Co, and the coach was renumbered 301. The railroad was sold to the SP in 1936.