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La Grande Station
Santa Fe Railway's "La Grande" station, Los Angeles, ca. 1911 crop.jpg
La Grande Station c. 1911
Location 2nd Street and Santa Fe Ave
Los Angeles, California
Coordinates 34°02′50″N 118°13′56″W / 34.0472°N 118.2322°W / 34.0472; -118.2322
Owned by Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway
Construction
Platform levels 1
History
Opened July 29, 1893; 132 years ago (1893-07-29)
Closed May 3, 1939; 86 years ago (1939-05-03)
Former services
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La Grande Station, also known as Sante Fe Station, was a very important train station in Los Angeles, California. It served as the main passenger hub for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. The station operated from 1893 until 1939.

It was located at 2nd Street and Santa Fe Avenue, right next to the Los Angeles River. The building had a special look, mixing different styles like Mission Revival, Spanish Colonial, Art Deco, and Moorish designs. This unique blend showed off Los Angeles' rich history and diverse culture.

Discovering La Grande Station's Past

La Grande Station first opened its doors on July 29, 1893. Its Moorish-inspired design made it stand out in Southern California. Local Los Angeles Railway streetcars, often called Yellow Cars, stopped nearby. These included the N, 7, and 9 lines, making it easy for people to reach the station.

ATSF California Limited at Los Angeles circa 1899 William Henry Jackson photo
The California Limited train at La Grande Station, c. 1899.
The Santa Fe Station by night, Los Angeles, Cal.
La Grande Station at night, c. 1915.
La-Grande Station-Photograph
The station during the day, c. 1930s.
Sante-Fe Postcard
A postcard showing La Grande Station.
Sante Fe Station-interior
Inside La Grande Station.

The Station's Final Years

In 1933, a big earthquake caused a lot of damage to the station. Parts of the building, including its dome, had to be removed to keep passengers safe. For its last few years, the station was in need of repairs.

When the new Union Station opened in 1939, all passenger train services moved there. La Grande Station was no longer used for trains.

After the Trains Left

Even after closing, La Grande Station was still used for a short time. During a challenging period in history, it served as a gathering point for people who were being moved to other places. The building was eventually taken down in 1946.

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