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A ground breaking for the new depot was held at 3:10 pm on Saturday, June 13, 2009, exactly one year and 12 hours after the depot burned down.
The old depot was built in 1904 to replace the oiriginal one built in 1876 that had burned down due to an oil leak from an engine. The depot was built by the Southern Pacific (SP) and became part of the Union Pacific Railroad when the took over the SPI.
Click an image to view larger photos
Photos by Robert Westover
Tehachapi Mayor Linda Vernon acted as Master of Cermonies at the event, noting "It is a very proud moment for our community". Vernon recalled the events of the morning of June 13, 2008 when the depot burned down and how those first on the scene stood in total shock of what they were seeing, and how the decision was made to take on the challenge of rebuilding the depot.
She continued, "Here we are today. We're back on track, continuing to move forward and will see success rise from the ashes, because we are rebuilding the depot."
Councilman Phil Smith and Ed Grimes told stories of growing up in Tehachapi, playing around the depot and catching the train to Bakersfield from there. City Manager Greg Garrett said, "I remember growing up here and seeing this run-down building, but there were people who loved it and wanted to rebuild it even then."
Charles White thanked some of the large donors and community members who have helped with the rebuilding funds, and presented an $18,800 check to the city from the Back on Track Committee and Friends of the Depot. Claudia Henson, as president of Main Street Tehachapi, also presented a check for $5,000.
The total raised from the community to go toward this project is $38,000.
Aspen Builders Inc. of Tehachapi has been awarded the contract to rebuild the depot and started work on Monday, June 22. The scheduled completion date is November 28, 2009.
Meanwhile, FOTD Museum Committee volunteers continue to meet on a regular basis to develop plans for displaying the many historical items from their archives in the museum and visitor's center that will be housed in the new depot.
The City of Tehachapi has generously provided FOTD with workspace for refurbishing of the Stokoe signals. If you'd like to be part of the Restoration Team, contact FOTD's Volunteer Coordinator, Dennis Storms, at (661) 823-0741. Or, send an e-mail to
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and put RESTORATION in the subject line. Or, contact a board member at the next General Membership Meeting to be held on July 13, 2009.
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