RE: (rshsdepot) Tehachapi, CA

["Bernie Wagenblast" <brwagenblast_@_comcast.net>]

You may view of 1998 photo of the Tehachapi depot at:

http://www.texhoma.net/~trainman/tehdepot.htm 

- -----Original Message-----
From: rshsdepot-owner_@_lists.railfan.net
[mailto:rshsdepot-owner_@_lists.railfan.net] On Behalf Of Jim Dent
Sent: Wednesday, November 02, 2005 9:48 PM
To: RSHS List
Subject: (rshsdepot) Tehachapi, CA

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

=================================
The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org



=================================
The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org

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End of RSHSDepot Digest V1 #1237
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=================================
The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org