Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Passenger and Freight Depot
a.k.a. San Bernardino Santa Fe Depot; San Bernardino Depot
1170 W. 3rd St., San Bernardino, CA Local significance of the building:Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 2001.
1859: The Atchison and Topeka Railroad Company is founded in Kansas, with the goal of connecting the towns of Atchison and Topeka.
1863: The Atchison and Topeka Railroad reaches Santa Fe, New Mexico, completing its initial transcontinental route.
1880: The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Company is formed through a merger with the Southern Kansas Railway Company.
1883: The Santa Fe Railway completes its second transcontinental line, reaching Los Angeles, California. This expansion enables the railway to connect the Midwest and Southwest to the Pacific Coast.
1893: The California Limited, a luxury passenger train, begins service on the Santa Fe Railway, offering a high standard of travel for affluent passengers.
1901: The Grand Canyon Railway, a subsidiary of the Santa Fe Railway, is established to provide transportation to the Grand Canyon National Park.
1926: The Santa Fe Railway introduces the Super Chief, a luxurious all-Pullman sleeping car train that becomes known as the "Train of the Stars" due to its popularity among Hollywood celebrities.
1934: The Santa Fe Railway launches the Chief, another premier passenger train, offering a more affordable option than the Super Chief but still maintaining a high level of service.
1948: The Santa Fe Railway introduces the El Capitan, a streamliner passenger train that becomes famous for its distinctive "Warbonnet" red and silver paint scheme.
1967: The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway changes its official name to the Santa Fe Railway.
1995: The Santa Fe Railway merges with the Burlington Northern Railroad, forming the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation (BNSF). This merger creates one of the largest railroad systems in the United States.
1996: The Santa Fe Railway is officially absorbed into the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF), marking the end of the Santa Fe Railway as an independent entity.
Today, the Santa Fe Railway's legacy lives on through the continued operation of many of its routes by BNSF, as well as its historical significance in the development of the American West and its iconic role in passenger train travel.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
In the early 19th century, the area became part of Mexico following its independence from Spain. It was during this time that San Bernardino County got its name, named after the Mission San Bernardino established by the Spanish. However, the Mexican influence in the region was short-lived, as the United States acquired the land as part of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848, which ended the Mexican-American War.
With the arrival of American settlers in the mid-19th century, San Bernardino County's population began to grow rapidly. The discovery of gold in the nearby Calico Mountains in the 1880s attracted prospectors and fortune-seekers to the area. The growth of the mining industry brought wealth and development to the county. In addition to mining, agriculture also played a significant role in the county's economy, with citrus groves and vineyards becoming prominent.
The county experienced a boom in the mid-20th century with the development of transportation and defense industries. The construction of Route 66 in the 1920s and the opening of the San Bernardino International Airport in the 1940s contributed to the growth of trade and travel. During World War II, military installations were established in the county, creating employment opportunities and boosting the local economy. Today, San Bernardino County is one of the largest counties in the United States by area and continues to be a hub for various industries, including logistics, manufacturing, and tourism.
San Bernardino County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of San Bernardino County, California.
- 1810: San Bernardino County is established as part of Mexico's Alta California territory.
- 1848: The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo is signed, transferring ownership of San Bernardino County to the United States.
- 1851: San Bernardino County is officially recognized as a county in the state of California.
- 1860: Silver mining booms in the region, leading to a population increase and economic growth.
- 1883: The Southern Pacific Railroad arrives in San Bernardino, boosting trade and transportation in the area.
- 1906: The National Old Trails Road, a precursor to Route 66, is established, further enhancing road travel through the county.
- 1940: The construction of military bases in the county, such as the Marine Corps Air Station in Twentynine Palms, supports the war effort during World War II.
- 1966: The completion of Interstate 10 makes San Bernardino County a key transportation corridor connecting Southern California to the rest of the country.
- 1989: The devastating Loma Prieta earthquake in neighboring Northern California prompts increased earthquake preparedness efforts in San Bernardino County.