The Santa Fe Corona Depot will soon have a new home following the Corona City Council’s move to classify the building as a historical landmark.
Though the building has been listed in the city’s heritage inventory, it was not listed as a local landmark, which officials say left it vulnerable to possible demolition.
“This move will allow everyone to see and appreciate this piece of our history, making it a lasting tribute to our city’s roots for generations to come,” Corona Mayor Tom Richins said in a statement.
Built in 1937, the depot replaced an existing train station that was built in 1887 or 1888, according to the Corona Historical Society.
The Corona depot was one of four built by the Santa Fe Railway Co. on the Santa Ana Canyon line. Others are located in Upland, Claremont and Monrovia, all in the Spanish Colonial/Mission Revival style by architect H. L. Gilman, according to the historical society.
All four depots were owned and controlled by Santa Fe at the time and were built as combination depots that included a passenger waiting room, an office, and a freight facility for citrus fruit shipment.
The Corona depot at 150 Depot Drive is currently unoccupied. Ganahl Lumber, the current owner, is working with the city on the relocation, city officials said.
At the July 3 council meeting, city leaders discussed several options for the depot relocation and renovation.
Some of the possible relocation options include Butterfield Park at 1886 Butterfield Drive, Santa Ana Regional Park at 598 Santana Way, and the Old Crown Vacuum & Sewing Store at 901 W. Sixth St.
“The Corona Depot holds a lot of history, and preserving it is really important to the Corona City Council and our community,” Richins said. “Our hope is to move the depot to Sixth Street, where it will be highly visible and right next to the Historic Civic Center, which was built just a few years before the depot.”
According to the July 3 presentation, costs for relocating the depot are estimated at $500,000 if the city decides to move all three portions of the structure, including the general office and baggage area, waiting area and an enclosed patio.
Ganahl Lumber is expected to contribute $50,000 toward the move.
Details on the future development of the depot are not yet available.
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