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(rshsdepot) Tehachapi, CA
- Subject: (rshsdepot) Tehachapi, CA
- From: Jim Dent <jdent1_@_optonline.net>
- Date: Wed, 02 Nov 2005 21:48:09 -0500
Depot changes hands at last
City celebrates “key” event
by Deanna Call
Tehachapi News Reporter
A typical cargo train runs at approximately 55 miles per hour. The Union
Pacific Corporation moves much, much slower.
For the past 32 years, citizens of Tehachapi have been concerned with
the preservation of the railroad depot building at the corner of Green
Street and Tehachapi Boulevard. Finally, on Oct. 24, Union Pacific gave
the keys to the depot to Tehachapi city officials. A celebration and key
ceremony was held at the depot. Approximately 300 people attended.
Gary Thornton, a local citizen, was there to celebrate. “It’s great —
I’ve been waiting for this for a long time. Now we’re on our way toward
restoration,” he said.
While the crowd assembled, the “For Goodness Sakes” singers performed.
Artist Dave Rheinhart autographed free commemorative mugs and paintings
for attendees. Rheinhart, inspired by the old building, painted the
depot as is and donated his artwork to the city.
A little after 2 p.m. the cermony began. Mayor Mariana Teel welcomed the
crowd and introduced the city staff. She then read a history of the old
depot.
David James, city community development director, spoke next. “Tehachapi
is all about transportation,” James said. He spoke about the
possibilities for funding of the depot renovation.
The ceremony concluded with the official passing of the key from Union
Pacific manager Ron Petitt, a Tehachapi citizen, to Mayor Teel. A cake
bearing a picture of the depot and punch were then served.
Historical Timeline
A great many people have been waiting for this day. The Heritage League,
the Friends of the Tehachapi Depot, the Tehachapi Loop Railroad Club and
the city of Tehachapi have all expended efforts toward acquiring the
depot. “A lot of people had their hands in this, getting it done... it
was truly a community effort,” said City Manager Jason Caudle.
Here is a timeline of depot events:
1876 — Original depot built.
1904 — Depot burns down and the current depot is built in its place.
(The new depot is a model number 23, the only one in existence and still
on its original site today.)
1973 — The Heritage League is formed for the purpose of acquiring the
depot and creating a railroad museum. Efforts to gain control of the
depot from the Southern Pacific Railroad Company fail.
1997— Union Pacific Corporation buys out the Southern Pacific Railroad
Company.
1997 — David James receives a grant for $250,000 to restore the depot to
its original condition.
1997 — A flurry of activity by then mayor John Rombouts and Tehachapi
citizens takes places. Groups write letters and phone the Union Pacific
Corporation.
1997 — Union Pacific officials visit Tehachapi and are given a guided
tour, but they do not have the authority to make any changes regarding
the depot. Frustrated citizens are unable to locate the officials within
Union Pacific who have the authority required to turn the depot over to
the city of Tehachapi.
1999 — The depot is officially placed on the National Register of
Historic Places.
2004 — The city of Tehachapi builds a new depot for the use of the
railroad, hoping to secure the old depot building. The city spends more
than $150,000 on the new building.
2005 — Finally, the Union Pacific Corporation agrees to lease the
original depot to the city of Tehachapi and moves its own operations to
the new depot.
Restoration and renovation
Caudle said that, in general, plans for the depot include a railroad
museum. The exterior design is done; the landscaping around the building
will feature railroad memorabilia from the collection once owned by
Tehachapi citizen William Stokoe.
As for the building itself, a collaboration is underway. The city has
requested input from various sources, including the Friends of the
Tehachapi Depot.
Doug Pickard, president of the Friends of the Tehachapi Depot, said that
a recommendation is underway. “Practically, it needs a new roof,”
Pickard said. “The whole city would welcome a visible improvement as
soon as possible.”
Del Troy, first vice president and recording secretary pro tem of the
Tehachapi Heritage League and member of the Friends of the Depot, would
like to see community involvement. “I’d like to see many people join the
Friends of the Depot and get involved,” Troy said.
James spoke at the ceremony and broke some bad news to the crowd: the
original grant of $250,000 has now expired. But there is good news,
also. “We feel very confident that we can go back out and get... even
more revenue to apply to the depot,” he said.
Optimism
The city has reached a milestone: possession of the depot. While the
future is full of restoration work, citizens are thrilled to enjoy the
achievement at hand.
Shirley Fuller, a local citizen and business owner, made sure to attend
the ceremony. “I’m here because of the excitement... the start of
re-doing this wonderful building... for the celebration,” she said.
Pickard summed up the feeling of the day well. “It finally happened,” he
said.
Copyright 2002 TNI All Rights Reserved
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The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org
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