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.
Southern Pacific Train Depot. 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.
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 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.
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31° 42.699′ N, 110° 4.053′ W. Marker is in Tombstone, Arizona, in Cochise County. Marker 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.
Marker is mounted on a pole and placed to the left of the entrance door.
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 1,521 times since then and 90 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.
