Western Pacific Depot facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Oakland
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The Depot in 2017
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| Location | 467 3rd Street Oakland, California |
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| Coordinates | 37°47′50″N 122°16′36″W / 37.7972°N 122.27666°W | ||||||||||||||||
| Platforms | none | ||||||||||||||||
| History | |||||||||||||||||
| Opened | August 22, 1910 | ||||||||||||||||
| Closed | March 22, 1970 | ||||||||||||||||
| Services | |||||||||||||||||
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Invalid designation
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| Designated: | 1974 | ||||||||||||||||
| Reference #: | 1 | ||||||||||||||||
The Western Pacific Depot, also known as 3rd Street station, was an important train station in Oakland, California. It opened in 1910 and was the main starting point for the Western Pacific Railroad in the west. The station was located on 3rd Street, right where it met Washington Street. Trains would even run along the street to reach it.
This station was the final stop for famous passenger trains like the original California Zephyr and the earlier Exposition Flyer. It served travelers for 60 years before closing in 1970 when the train service ended.
The Western Pacific Depot: A Historic Train Station
The Western Pacific Depot was a busy place when it first opened on August 22, 1910. It was the main hub for the Western Pacific Railroad in California. This railroad connected Oakland to other parts of the United States.
The station was special because its tracks ran right along 3rd Street. This is called "street running" and meant trains shared the road with cars and people for a short distance.
A Hub for Famous Trains
Many people traveled through the Western Pacific Depot. It was especially known as the last stop for two very famous passenger trains:
- The Exposition Flyer: This train helped people travel to the Golden Gate International Exposition in 1939-1940.
- The California Zephyr: Starting in 1949, this train was famous for its amazing views. It had special dome cars where passengers could see the scenery. The Zephyr traveled all the way from Chicago to Oakland.
The station was a gateway for many adventures and journeys across the country.
From Station to Landmark
The Western Pacific Depot closed its doors on March 22, 1970. This happened because the main train service, the California Zephyr, stopped running. After the station closed, the train tracks leading to it were removed. The area around the station was also redeveloped.
The building itself was not torn down. Instead, it was sold and given a new purpose. It became a restaurant and has housed different businesses since then. In 1974, the building was recognized for its history. It was named the very first Oakland Designated Landmark. This means it's an important historical building in Oakland that should be protected.
