| Santa Susana Depot | |
|---|---|
 View from the southwest | |
  Location within California | |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Stick/Eastlake |
| Location | 6503 Katherine Road,Simi Valley, California |
| Coordinates | 34°15′39″N118°39′40″W / 34.2607°N 118.6611°W /34.2607; -118.6611 |
| Completed | 1903 |
| Owner | Rancho Simi Parks and Recreation Department |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Southern Pacific Railroad |
Santa Susana Depot is atrain station building located near theSanta Susana Pass inSimi Valley, California. Originally located on Los Angeles Avenue at Tapo Street,[1] the depot opened in 1903.[2] The station was named after theSanta Susana Mountains at the east end of the Simi Valley.[2] The Southern Pacific Railroad used the double-"N" spelling of Susanna on the depot sign facing west, and the single-"N" spelling of Susana on the sign facing east.[2] TheSanta Susana Tunnel opened the next year, reducing the distance and transit time betweenMontalvo andBurbank on theCoast Route linkingLos Angeles andSan Francisco. Plans and construction for the building were based onSouthern Pacific Railroad standard design Two Story Combination Depot No. 22.[3] The depot served the community ofRancho Simi as a passenger station,telegraph office, and freight depot where farmers could deliver crops for shipping and pick up farming equipment delivered by the railroad.
Due to lessening passenger traffic and changes in the shipment of freight, Southern Pacific closed the station in the early 1970s, leaving Santa Susana Depot empty and destined for demolition. TheCounty of Ventura purchased the depot from the railroad for $1.06. In May 1975 the building was divided into three parts and moved by truck to county property two miles east of the site it was built on. The County of Ventura designated the building Landmark #29 in January 1976.[4]
The currentSimi Valley station for Amtrak'sPacific Surfliner and Metrolink'sVentura County Line is located one mile east of the original Tapo Street depot location.
The current location is next to the same railroad right of way it once served. The building sat abandoned for several years sufferingvandalism, andarson caused fire damage.[5] Anonprofit organization was formed to restore the building and ready it for public use in conjunction with the Rancho Simi Parks and Recreation Department.
The museum was opened to the public in 2000.[6] The depot building now houses a railroad museum, anHO scalemodel railroad layout, and a public meeting room. The museum focuses on railroad history in the region and has many artifacts and historic photos on display.[7] Along with the railroad-related features, the museum also has a collection of materials related to the nearbyCorriganville Movie Ranch. The railroad layout models the coast route between Los Angeles, California, andPortland, Oregon, with scenery that targets the early 1950s. The Santa Susana Railroad Historical Society designs, maintains and operates the layout. Both the museum and the model layout are open on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. with the exception of holidays.
| Preceding station | Southern Pacific Railroad | Following station | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moorpark towardSan Francisco | Coast Line | Chatsworth towardLos Angeles | ||
