Pacific Electric Etiwanda Depot
Why it's listed
Along the former Pacific Electric right-of-way in Rancho Cucamonga, this single-story depot served passengers and freight on the railway's rural line. Designed by architect Irving Gill, it measures 123 by 26 feet and was built of tilt-up concrete, a method Gill helped pioneer. The Mission Revival design features Roman arches, engaged columns with pyramidal caps, and an espadaña parapet on the south façade, with little ornament beyond cast "PE" logo tiles. Inside, the rooms include a passenger portico and waiting room, toilets, an agent's office, and baggage and freight rooms. Original wood windows and doors, a ticket window and counter, and red-tinted concrete floors survive. The depot sits on its original site, and a freight spur, trolley wire poles and a motor truck scale remain nearby. It was listed for its architectural importance as an intact Gill work and a Pacific Electric station. The building has been vacant since 2002, and the city has pursued its restoration.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents the depot as a rare, highly intact work by master architect Irving Gill, who pioneered tilt-up concrete construction. It also represents Pacific Electric's rural station type, with clean lines, arches and an espadaña parapet. The building retains very high integrity of location, materials and feeling.
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 11000119, listed March 21, 2011. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 7092 Etiwanda Ave, Rancho Cucamonga |
|---|---|
| County | San Bernardino County |
| Listed | March 21, 2011 |
| Reference number | 11000119 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Irving Gill (architect) |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals/Mission Revival |
| Areas of significance | Transportation, Architecture, Engineering |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Vacant since the last tenant, a lumber yard, left in 2002; the City of Rancho Cucamonga began documentation and restoration in 2004. Described as in excellent condition with no alterations; current function listed as museum/work in progress. |
| Acreage | 4 |
| Coordinates | 34.12666, -117.52402 (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 11000119.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q104876399
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.