San Carlos station facts for kids

Quick facts for kids San Carlos
A northbound train at San Carlos station in 2018
Location	599 El Camino Real San Carlos, California
Coordinates	37°30′29″N 122°15′37″W / 37.50806°N 122.26028°W / 37.50806; -122.26028
Owned by	Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board
Line(s)	Peninsula Subdivision
Platforms	2 side platform
Tracks	2
Connections	SamTrans: ECR, KX, 260, 261, 295, 397, 398
Construction
Parking	Available
Bicycle facilities	Lockers available
Disabled access	Yes
Other information
Fare zone	Fare Zone 2
History
Opened	1888
Original company	Southern Pacific
Traffic
Passengers (2018)	1,331 per weekday  0.2%
Services
Preceding station Caltrain Following station Belmont toward San Francisco Local Redwood City toward San Jose Diridon, Tamien or Gilroy Limited
Former services Preceding station Southern Pacific Railroad Following station Burlingame toward San Francisco Del Monte Until 1971 Atherton toward Monterey
Southern Pacific Depot
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
San Carlos station building in 2011
Area	2.753 acres (1.114 ha)
Architectural style	Richardsonian Romanesque
NRHP reference No.	84001191
Added to NRHP	September 20, 1984

San Carlos is a Caltrain train station in San Carlos, California. It's a busy place where many people catch trains every weekday.

Station History

The San Carlos station building was first built in 1888. It was constructed by the Southern Pacific Railroad. For a long time, this building was very important to the town. It was the only public building in San Carlos!

Early Uses of the Building

Imagine one building doing so much! In its early days, the station building was not just for trains. It also served as the town's first community church. People used it as a library and even the post office.

In 1967, the building stopped being used for railway operations. However, trains like the Del Monte and Peninsula Commute still stopped at the station's platforms. People could still get on and off trains there.

Later Life of the Station Building

After its railway use ended, other groups used the building. The San Carlos Chamber of Commerce was there for a while. A real estate company also had offices in the building.

The building was empty for some time before the California Department of Transportation took it over. In early 1984, a restaurant opened inside the old depot. On September 20, 1984, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a special historical place. It was listed as the Southern Pacific Depot.

Station Design

The San Carlos station building has a unique look. It was built in the Richardsonian Romanesque style. This style uses strong, heavy stone and rounded arches. The building was made from Almaden sandstone.

Modern Station Features

Today, the station is elevated, meaning it's raised above the ground. It has two side platforms. These are platforms on either side of the tracks. Two tracks of the Peninsula Subdivision run through the station. This setup helps trains move smoothly.