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Overview

This long, brick-faced station for the Southern Pacific Railroad took the place of a wood-frame depot that had served travelers in Fresno, CA, since 1872. The station opened to the public in 10/1889. An addition was made early in the twentieth century.

Building Notes

An Historic Fresno web site focused on the Southern Pacific station stated: "The Southern Pacific Railroad Depot at Tulare and H Streets in downtown Fresno is an unusual departure from the traditional Southern Pacific architectural style. Evidence suggests that citizens of Fresno in 1888 rejected the original plans for the depot, which may explain why it was not constructed in the rectangular box style prevalent throughout the rest of the San Joaquin Valley." (See Historic Fresno, "National Register of Historic Places:(See Historic Fresno, "National Register of Historic Places: Southern Pacific Railroad Depot (1889)," accessed 04/07/2017.)

Alteration

The Historic Fresno web site said of the alterations to the depot: "A major addition was added sometime between 1914 and 1929. Additional freight space was added to extend the building on the south approximately 130' to Tulare Street. Fifty feet of additional office space was added to the north, resulting in the removal of the ground-level turret. Most small-paned windows were replaced by large-paned ones, arched doorways were enlarged and squared off, additional dormers were added, and the entire building was plastered. Other additions or alterations include a 1911 alteration when fire damaged upstairs offices, a 1930 addition of approximately 50' of office space to the north, and a 1945 waiting room remodeling." (See Historic Fresno, "National Register of Historic Places:(See Historic Fresno, "National Register of Historic Places: Southern Pacific Railroad Depot (1889)," accessed 04/07/2017.)

A large-scale remodeling effort occurred in 1982.