Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view and print PDF files. Adobe Acrobat is required to edit online forms and save them to your computer.

Last Updated: Thursday, April 10, 2008 4:00 PM

Historic Railroad Stations

Background

In 1985, when the commuter rail service known as Caltrain came into being on the San Francisco peninsula, Caltrans took custody of the old Southern Pacific railroad stations along the line at Millbrae, Burlingame, San Carlos, Menlo Park, Santa Clara, and San Jose. Under the California Public Resources Code Section 5024, Caltrans is responsible for the preservation, restoration, and maintenance of historical resources under its ownership or control. This responsibility extended to these railroad stations, which ranged in style from wood-frame railroad station vernacular to Mission Revival and Romanesque Revival. In cooperation with local citizens groups, Caltrans decided to restore these stations rather than replace or modernize them.

The stations at Millbrae, Burlingame, and Menlo Park were previously listed on the National Register of Historic Places (1973 and 1974). The San Carlos and Santa Clara Stations were nominated for the National Register by Caltrans, and listed in 1984 and 1985 respectively. The San Jose Cahill Street Station was determined eligible in 1984 and listed in 1993. Caltrans' architectural historians researched building plans and contemporary descriptions to determine the original appearance of the buildings and provided information to guide the restoration projects. Caltrans retains ownership of the station structures, while the Joint Powers Board owns the rights of way and operates the commuter rail service.

The Stations:

Millbrae 21 East Millbrae Avenue, Millbrae

This station was built in 1907. It is a two-story version of the Harriman Standard Plan #11 station with Colonial Revival style detailing.

Burlingame

1190 California Avenue, Burlingame

Built in 1894, the Burlingame Station is a one-story building in the Mission Revival style. It features 18th-century red clay roof tiles taken from the Mission Dolores and Mission San Antonio de Padua, and a quatrefoil window designed after the one found at the Mission San Carlos Borromeo at Carmel.

San Carlos

559 El Camino Real, San Carlos

The San Carlos Station was constructed in 1888 and is a rare example of the Richardson Romanesque style of architecture in California. Also unusual about this station is its use of stone masonry construction.

Menlo Park

1100 Merrill Street, Menlo Park

Built in 1867, modified in the 1890s and again in 1917, this station remains in the 19th-century "Stick Style" of architecture.

Santa Clara

1 Railroad Avenue, Santa Clara

The Santa Clara Station was built in 1863-64 on a standard depot plan for the San Francisco and San Jose Railroad. Originally constructed on the east side of the tracks, it was moved to the west side in 1877, at which time the operator's bay was added. The freight shed was also subsequently added giving the structure its present configuration by about 1885.

San Jose

Cahill Street, San Jose

Built in 1935, the San Jose Cahill Street Station represents the Italian Renaissance style of architecture. Its plan is similar to that used for both the Sacramento and Stockton Southern Pacific Depots. The station was rehabilitated by Caltrans in 1994.