Fullerton Union Pacific Depot
Also known as: Pacific Depot
.jpg){kind=link}
Why it's listed
Built in 1923 by the Union Pacific Railroad, this one-story wood frame depot in Fullerton, California, combines a decorative passenger section with a plainer freight house. The passenger side has a mission tile gable roof, parapeted gable ends, an eight-sided drum topped by a cupola, and a four-bay arcade flanking a distinctive stepped parapet entry. Walls are white stucco. The depot was the last of three railroads' stations built in the city, and its arrival made Fullerton the rail center of northern Orange County. After the line closed the depot in 1975 and demolition was considered, the city folded it into a planned transportation center beside the Santa Fe and Pacific Electric depots. In 1980 it was cut in half and moved about 200 yards, turned 90 degrees to the tracks. It was recognized as one of the finest Mission Revival railroad stations remaining in California, and a developer planned to convert it to a restaurant.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the depot played a major role in Fullerton's development as the regional rail center of northern Orange County, being the last of three railroads built through the community. It is also presented as an outstanding and one of the finest surviving examples of Mission Revival railroad architecture in California. Its relocation is said not to have harmed its historic or architectural significance.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 83003551, listed October 12, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 100 E. Santa Fe Ave., Fullerton |
|---|---|
| County | Orange County |
| Listed | October 12, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83003551 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900- (specific date 1923) |
| Architect / builder | Union Pacific Railroad |
| Architectural style | Mission Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Transportation, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Moved in 1980 and described as unoccupied, deteriorating from termite and dry rot damage and covered with graffiti, with renovation for restaurant use planned under the Secretary of the Interior's Standards. |
| Acreage | 0.8 |
| Coordinates | 33.86910, -117.92378 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 83003551.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q108866965
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.