Tombstone in Cochise County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Southern Pacific Train Depot

1903

Photographed by Denise Boose, June 14, 2011

1. Southern Pacific Train Depot Marker

Inscription. The railroad reached Tucson in March of 1880. Richard Grid had a railroad spike crafted of solid silver from the Toughnut Mine. It was presented to the President of the Southern Pacific Railroad as an inducement to bring a railroad spur to Tombstone. The solid silver spike disappeared into the gentleman's collection and so did Tombstone's hopes for railroad service for many years. Spurs were built in Nogales, Benson, Contention and Fairbanks in the early 1800s and finally reached Tombstone in 1903. A huge celebration was held in April with over 2000 guests attending. Southern Pacific provided freight and passenger service to Tombstone until 1961. In spite of Tombstone's best efforts to retain service it was discontinued and the rails removed. In 1961, Southern Pacific donated the depot to the City of Tombstone. The City turned it into the first permanent home of the Tombstone City Library. Tombstone school children named the new library "The Reading Station". This is the original depot built in 1903.

Erected 2006 by Tombstone Restoration Commission. (Marker Number 38.)

Topics and series. This historical marker

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is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Southern Pacific Railroad series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1880.

Location. 31° 42.699′ N, 110° 4.053′ W. Marker is in Tombstone, Arizona, in Cochise County. It can be reached from South 4th Street, on the left when traveling south. The train depot is now the Tombstone City Library and located at the corner of 4th and Toughnut Streets. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 210 South 4th Street, Tombstone AZ 85638, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Sky Islands

and in Southeastern Arizona.

It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also the Gadsden Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Rose Tree (within shouting distance of this marker); The Rose Bush Story (within shouting distance of this marker); The Tombstone Good Enough Mine (about

Southern Pacific Train Depot and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, June 14, 2011

2. Southern Pacific Train Depot and Marker

Marker is mounted on a pole and placed to the left of the entrance door.

300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Mines of Tombstone (about 300 feet away); Russ House (about 300 feet away); Leaching Control Panel (about 300 feet away); Million Dollar Stope (about 400 feet away); Allen English Home (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tombstone.

Southern Pacific Train Depot image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, June 14, 2011

3. Southern Pacific Train Depot

Credits. This page was last revised on August 29, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 11, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 2,394 times since then and 79 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 11, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.