Perris station (Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Perris Depot
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 Location in California
Location in the United States
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| Location | 120 W. Fourth St., Perris, California |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1892 |
| Architect | Benjamin Franklin Levet Sr. |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne |
| NRHP reference No. | 94000819 |
| Added to NRHP | August 5, 1994 |
The Perris Depot is an old railroad station located in Perris, California. It was built way back in 1892. This station replaced an even older wooden building. It stood on the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway line, which was once called the California Southern Railroad.
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What is the Perris Depot?
The Perris Depot is a historic building. It was once a busy train station. Today, it helps people learn about local history. It also serves as a stop for special train rides.
Building the Perris Depot
A local developer named J.W. Nance built the station. Benjamin Franklin Levet, Sr. designed it. He was the son-in-law of Fred T. Perris, a very important person in the town's history.
A Busy Hub for Perris
For many years, the depot was a lively place. It handled both people traveling by train and goods from local farms. The Perris Valley was known for its agriculture. Farmers used the depot to ship their crops.
Changes Over Time
However, fewer people started riding trains. Passenger service at the depot stopped in 1947. Farming also became harder in the area. This was due to less water and salty soil. Over time, farms were replaced by new neighborhoods. By 1975, almost all the train tracks at the station were no longer used.
From Station to Museum
Since 1974, the Perris Depot has had a new purpose. It became home to the Perris Valley Historical and Museum Association. This group uses the building as a museum. It teaches visitors about the history of the Perris area. In the 1990s, there was talk of using the depot again for commuter trains.
What Does the Depot Look Like?
The Perris Depot is a beautiful building. It is made of red brick. Its style is called Queen Anne. This style often includes fancy details.
Unique Features of the Building
The depot has a special round tower. This tower has a cone-shaped roof, called a turret. You can also see round windows and an arched doorway. The building is one story tall. It has a main section that sticks out. This section has an arched entrance on one side. On the other side, there is a round bay with a small dome, called a cupola.
Signs and Decorations
The brick gables (the triangular parts of the roof) are partly sloped. They proudly display "PERRIS" signs. A decorative piece, like a comb, sits on top of the main roof. This piece has "SANTA FE" signs facing the train platforms.
The Depot Today
The Perris Depot is still an important place. It connects the past with the present.
Train Rides and History
The Orange Empire Railway Museum uses the depot. It is the starting point for their special excursion trains. These trains offer fun rides for visitors. The depot itself was updated in 2007 and 2008. It continues to house the Perris Valley Historical Museum.
Modern Transit Hub
In 2010, the Perris Multimodal Transit Center opened next to the depot. This center offers bus services. It also provides Metrolink train service. The Metrolink 91/Perris Valley Line was extended through Perris. This extension was finished in June 2016. It now stops at the nearby Perris–Downtown station. Even with the new transit center, the museum still operates inside the historic depot.
A Recognized Landmark
The Perris Depot is so special that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1994. This means it is an important part of American history.
