Arcade Depot

Los Angeles Arcade Depot
Arcade Depot c. 1895–1900
General information
Location	Fourth and Alameda Los Angeles, California
Coordinates	34.0418°N 118.2389°W / 34.0418; -118.2389
Owned by	Southern Pacific Railroad
History
Opened	1888 (1888)
Closed	1914 (1914)
Services
Preceding station Southern Pacific Railroad Following station Glendale toward San Francisco Coast Line Terminus First Street toward New Orleans Union Station Sunset Route First Street toward Pasadena Pasadena Branch First Street toward River Los Angeles – San Pedro Clement Junction toward San Pedro Santa Monica Branch Clement Junction toward Port Los Angeles Preceding station Pacific Electric Following station 6th and San Pedro towards Richardson Edendale Local Terminus Terminus Los Angeles SP–Pasadena SP (1912–1914) Aliso and San Pedro towards Pasadena SP Sierra Vista Local (1912–1914) 6th and San Pedro towards Sierra Vista

The Arcade Depot was the main Southern Pacific Railroad passenger railway station of Los Angeles, California between 1888 and 1914. It was located on Alameda Street, between 5th and 6th Streets. This station consolidated intercity services at a location closer to Downtown Los Angeles than the previous terminal, the San Fernando Street Depot.

History

Steam train at Arcade Depot (1891)

The land for the station was furnished to Southern Pacific by the City of Los Angeles, which was intended to lure the railroad to town. The Victorian style wooden station was completed in 1888. It was located on the site of the former orange groves of William Wolfskill, on the east side of Downtown Los Angeles towards the Los Angeles River. It was a massive wooden structure, 500 feet (150 m) long, with skylights and an arched roof clearing 90 feet (27 m) above the platforms below. A palm tree was replanted outside the station during its opening year.

The station replaced the Southern Pacific River Station as the main L.A. passenger terminal, which was located next to a freight yard farther outside of downtown L.A.

In addition to mainline steam trains, the depot was also served by Pacific Electric Red Cars.

By 1913, the Arcade Depot had fallen into a state of disrepair and calls were made for its replacement in anticipation of increased passenger traffic. The station was closed in 1914 when the SP opened the Los Angeles Central Station just to the north. The old depot was demolished soon after to make room for new outdoor platforms serving the new station.

External links

• Los Angeles Train Time Departure timetable from May 1892