Railroad Square District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Railroad Square
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| Location | Santa Rosa, California |
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| NRHP reference No. | 79000561 |
| Added to NRHP | April 20, 1979 |
Railroad Square is a special historic area in downtown Santa Rosa, California. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979, meaning it's an important place to protect. This area is found near Third, Davis, Wilson, and Sixth Streets, and also Santa Rosa Creek.
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History of Railroad Square
The Northwestern Pacific Railroad came to Santa Rosa in 1871. This helped the area grow a lot. The town's population jumped from 1,000 to 5,000 people in just five years.
Buildings and the 1906 Earthquake
Many buildings in Railroad Square are made of brick. They were built by skilled stonemasons from Northern Italy. These buildings were strong enough to survive the big 1906 earthquake. Fifteen of these buildings are considered historically important. They were built between 1888 and 1923. West of the train tracks, many Italian-American families built their homes. This area became known as the West End neighborhood.
Changes Over Time
Later, new roads like United States Highway 101 and California State Route 12 were built. These roads separated Railroad Square from the rest of downtown Santa Rosa. Because of this, the area kept its old-fashioned look. It still looks very much like it did a long time ago.
However, being separated also caused problems. During the Great Depression and later, the area faced tough economic times. When the Santa Rosa Plaza mall was built in the late 1970s, Railroad Square became even more isolated.
Today, the Santa Rosa Downtown station in Railroad Square is busy again. It has served Sonoma–Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) trains since 2017. These trains help people travel around the area.
Railroad Square for Visitors
Railroad Square has become a popular spot for visitors. It is now a tourism center for Sonoma County. This area is part of the beautiful Redwood Empire and Wine Country.
Places to Stay
There are three hotels in the district with 325 beds for guests.
- The Hotel La Rose was built in 1907. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- The Hyatt Vineyard Creek Hotel & Spa is another option.
- The Courtyard Marriott also offers rooms for visitors.
Fun Events
A free event called the Railroad Square Music Festival happens every June. It has been a yearly tradition since 2015.
