Ventura County Landmark No. 176: Southern Pacific Railroad Depot, Saticoy
Historical Background
The Saticoy Southern Pacific Railroad Depot was constructed in November 1887 as part of the great expansion of the Southern Pacific Rail System at that time (Perzel, 2017). Saticoy’s Southern Pacific Railroad Depot accommodated both freight and passenger service in and out of Ventura County, with a heavy emphasis on the distribution of agricultural goods. Likely no single event in the County’s history changed so many people’s lives as the coming of the railroad. As was the case in numerous towns across the American West, the railroad played a major role in the development of Saticoy (Perzel, 2017). Thirteen other depots were constructed throughout Ventura County at the following locations: Oxnard, Santa Susana, Santa Paula, Fillmore, Piru, Ojai, Camarillo, Moorpark, Sespe, Camulos, Somis, Montalvo, and downtown Ventura (Perzel, 2017). Of the fourteen Southern Pacific Railroad Depots once located in Ventura County, only a handful remain, including the one in Saticoy (Perzel, 2017).
Architectural Style
Southern Pacific had standard designs for depots that were employed throughout the county. A depot design was chosen for use based on the specific needs of the area in which it was to be located. These depot structures were often prefabricated in a central location, transported by rail, and assembled on site (Perzel, 2017). The Saticoy depot would have been prefabricated in Southern Pacific’s Sacramento shop, shipped to Saticoy via rail, and assembled on site in Saticoy.
In terms of architectural style, the Saticoy depot best fits into the Late Victorian Stick/Eastlake Style, as evidenced by the presence of various styles of wood siding and wide overhanging eaves supported by brackets. Its primary building material is wood. Significant features of the structure include, but are not limited to, its floorplan, windows and doors, and interior and exterior wall finishes. The second floor of the building served as living quarters for the station agent and family (Perzel, 2017).
Current Use
At the present time, the Saticoy depot is vacant and awaiting a future use. Prior to this current period, the structure and accompanying grounds were utilized as a building supply warehouse and yard from the mid-1960s to approximately 2013. Since the structure was vacated it has become increasingly overgrown with vegetation and has been damaged by vandalism. Despite deterioration, the structure is in fair condition and has a high degree of historic integrity intact (Perzel, 2017).
Additional Reading
References
Perzel, Rachel Beth (August 2017). National Register of Historic Places Registration Form, Saticoy Southern Pacific Railroad Depot.
Date Designated: May 23, 2016
Location: 11220 Azahar Street, Saticoy
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