South Coast Railroad Museum facts for kids
Goleta Depot, part of the museum
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| Location | 300 North Los Carneros Road Goleta, California |
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| Type | Railroad museum |
The South Coast Railroad Museum in Goleta, California is a super cool place to learn about trains! It's built around the historic Goleta Depot, which is an old Southern Pacific Railroad train station from 1901.
At the museum, you can also ride a tiny train called the Goleta Short Line. It's a miniature railroad that's perfect for a fun ride. You can also see a real Southern Pacific caboose and a model train set that shows the cities of Goleta and Santa Barbara, California.
The Goleta Depot is very important. It's listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the California Register of Historical Resources. This means it's a special building that people want to protect for the future.
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History of the Goleta Depot
The Goleta passenger train depot was closed in October 1973. But people wanted to save this amazing old building! So, they worked hard to move it.
Moving the Old Train Station
In November 1981, the depot was carefully moved to its current spot. This new home is at Lake Los Carneros County Park. It was a big project to get the building there safely.
Restoring the Historic Depot
After the move, the depot needed a lot of work to look its best again. It took 11 months to fix it up! On October 10, 1982, the Goleta Depot was officially recognized as a landmark for Santa Barbara County. This was a big celebration for everyone who helped save it.
New Ownership and a Modern Station
In 1983, a group called the Institute for American Research took over the depot. Their goal was to turn it into a "living museum." This means a place where history comes alive! Later, in 1998, a new train station opened nearby for Amtrak trains. It has a concrete platform and an open-air shelter.
What's Near the Museum?
The South Coast Railroad Museum is in a great spot! It's right next to Lake Los Carneros. You can find walking trails there and even go bird watching. Also close by is the historic Stow House at Rancho La Patera. There are many other interesting places to explore in the area too!
