Arcade Depot

The Arcade Depot was the main Southern Pacific Railroad passenger railway station of Los Angeles, California between 1888 and 1914.

This station consolidated intercity services at a location closer to Downtown Los Angeles than the previous terminal, the San Fernando Street Depot.

The land for the station was furnished to Southern Pacific by the City of Los Angeles, which was intended to lure the railroad to town.

[3] The station replaced the Southern Pacific River Station as the main L.A. passenger terminal, which was located next to a freight yard farther outside of downtown L.A.[1] In addition to mainline steam trains, the depot was also served by Pacific Electric Red Cars.

[4][5] By 1913, the Arcade Depot had fallen into a state of disrepair and calls were made for its replacement in anticipation of increased passenger traffic.

Steam train at Arcade Depot (1891)