The Historic Depot on Toole has been renovated (2004) to its original 1941 appearance. Perhaps someday, the Depot will once again see the return of historic street car service. There are also possibilities of high speed rail service to and from Phoenix, as well as train services through Nogales to our southern neighbor, Mexico.

The restoration of the Depot and its outbuildings by the City of Tucson cost approximately $2.8 million and was funded in part by a grant from the Federal Transit Administration.

 

Locomotive #1673

Built in 1900 by the Schenectady Locomotive Works, the former Southern Pacific Steam Locomotive #1673 is housed on the Historic Depot site. Old #1673 huffed and puffed over a million miles of rails before it was retired and donated to the Citizens of Tucson by Southern Pacific in 1955. The gates surrounding the century-old locomotive are opened on Saturdays from 10am - 1pm and a museum volunteer is always present to answer your questions. Call (520) 623-2223 for more information.

 

History Rides the Rails (to the Old Pueblo)

The railroad came to Tucson in 1880, bringing the iron rails of progress to the Old Pueblo. By the turn of the century, the first train depot was outgrown, so a new and larger one was built in 1907. The Southern Pacific Railroad expanded and renovated the depot in 1941 and it served well into the later years of the century.

In 1998, the City of Tucson purchased the depot and adjacent buildings from the Union Pacific Railroad. All the structures were in poor condition, but planning began with the help of a citizen’s task force, to restore the depot to its former glory. The Historic Depot has been the site of many famous occurrences over the years. On the evening of March 20, 1882, Wyatt Earp and Doc Holiday shot the notorious outlaw Frank Stilwell near the Depot in revenge for the murder of Wyatt’s brother Morgan in the wake of the O.K. Corral gunfight. President William McKinley stepped onto the platform at the depot in 1900. Thirty-four years later, mobster John Dillinger and his gang were captured by the local police department and the gang was extradited back to Chicago by train, Dillinger by air. In 1959, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor arrived on the train to visit Tucson.

The Historic Depot is a true part of Tucson’s history. The former record’s vault building is now home to the Southern Arizona Transportation Museum, a small nonprofit museum focused on the impact of the railroad on Tucson and Southern Arizona, the depot changes through the years and the Steam Locomotive #1673, displayed on site. The remaining Depot buildings are used for office, restaurant and retail spaces. The Amtrak counter and Depot lobby still welcome travelers from around the U.S. The building is once again a gathering place - a place to enjoy, shop, eat, and a place to arrive and depart, and a place to wave goodbye and to welcome - for thousands of long-time Tucsonans, tourists and visitors. The Depot has taken its rightful place as a “Part of the Heart of the City”.

Want to Be a Part of History?

The Friends of the Southern Arizona Transportation Museum (SATM) are always looking for volunteers and donations. To find out how you can get involved, call (520) 623-2223.