The Santa Paula Depot is a former railway station in Santa Paula, California. As a feature of the Fillmore and Western Railway, the station has been seen in various commercials, television shows, and feature films.

Santa Paula
General information
Location963 E. Santa Barbara St.
Santa Paula, California
Coordinates34°21′21″N 119°3′40″W / 34.35583°N 119.06111°W / 34.35583; -119.06111
Line(s)Santa Paula Branch Line
Platforms2 side platforms
Tracks3
History
Opened1887
Closed1934
Original companySouthern Pacific
Former services
Preceding station Fillmore and Western Railway Following station
Terminus Santa Paula Branch Line
Closed 2021
Fillmore
towards Piru
Preceding station Southern Pacific Railroad Following station
Saticoy
toward Montalvo
Santa Paula Branch Sespe
toward Saugus

History

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The station building was built in 1887[1] as part of the Coast Line and was the first train depot in Ventura County. Passenger services continued until 1934 and freight operations until 1975. It was designated a Ventura County Historic Landmark in 1972.[2] The station currently houses the Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce.[3]

The depot, depicting a rural Australian train station, appeared in the miniseries The Thorn Birds.[4] Portions of the season 3 finale of Glee, titled Goodbye, were filmed at the depot.[3]

Musician Dennis DeYoung (formerly of the band Styx) filmed portions of his hit 1984 song, "Desert Moon" at the Santa Paula depot.

References

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  1. ^ Doyle, Alicia (August 1, 2018). "BELLS AND WHISTLES | The Fillmore & Western debuts new offerings for summer entertainment". VC Reporter. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  2. ^ "Southern Pacific Railroad Depot". Santa Paula Historical Society. Retrieved April 28, 2018.
  3. ^ a b Kelly, Peggy (May 16, 2012). "Railroad Plaza, Depot gleeful when filled with cast of 'Glee'". Santa Paula Times. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  4. ^ Grimm, Michele; Grimm, Tom (March 30, 1986). "Santa Paula: Citrus Capital of World". LA Times. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
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