Accessed at URL:
Originally accessed:
10/17/2003
Organization:
California State Railroad Museum Foundation
Notes:
Website quotes a August 14, 1926 issue of Railway Age: "The passenger station proper is of the Italian type of architecture. It is 370 ft. long, with a width of 54 ft. at the west-end and 128 ft. at the east-end. The Central portion of the building, which houses the waiting room and concourse, is 83 ft. wide," noted Railway Age. "The exterior walls are faced with brick with a mingled light russet color, while a darker russet tiling is used on the sloping roof. The entire building is trimmed with architectural terra cotta and the lines of the structure, enhanced by eight circular topped windows, 35 ft. high and glazed with amber colored cathedral glass, combine with the color treatment of the walls and roof to furnish a harmonious and pleasing aspect." The website also quoted a c. 1926 issue of Southern Pacific Bulletin: "Features of the new terminal include a well ventilated waiting room 60x120 feet; a modern restaurant, men’s smoking room, open counter ticket offices, spacious baggage room, new-type [butterfly] train sheds, comfortable women’s rest room, ample office space for the divisional offices, marble floors, tile roof, and scientific electric and heating appliances." Railway Age provided additional detail in its station coverage, noting the waiting room’s vaulted ceiling was "decorated with five-color stencil work, harmonizing with the cathedral glass and Venetian drapes of the large windows. The floor is of California marble, trimmed with travertine, while the wood trim is of Lamao mahogany, imported from the Phillipine Islands." Indirect lighting was furnished by large central chandeliers and side-lighting fixtures "of artistic design." A lobby extended across the full width of the waiting room, in which was located a telegraph office,'a battery of phone booths, and a traveler’s aid bureau where a matron is always available during train hours." Seven passenger train tracks extended along the building’s north side, with three butterfly sheds each flanked by two tracks and the seventh track located adjacent to the waiting room’s concourse. A ramp led underground from the concourse, with a "well-lighted concrete subway" safely accessing each of the platforms. Additional tracks to the north served as a coach yard, with a car shed built over a portion to protect waiting Pullman cars "from the direct rays of the sun and keeping them cool and comfortable for occupancy at night" in this pre-air-conditioning age. Another five "team tracks" to the east of the station served local businesses needing a place to unload rail shipments.
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