Heritage Square: Palms Depot

Palms Depot

This Eastlake style depot originally stood along a local Southern Pacific Railroad line at a site known as the ‘Grasshopper Stop’ in what would soon become the city of Palms, halfway between present day Los Angeles and Santa Monica. Built around 1887, it became part of the Pacific Electric Railway in 1911 and continued to provide service until 1953. The depot was declared a historical monument in 1963 but nevertheless fell into disrepair and finally was condemned. In 1975 SOS (Save Our Station), a grassroots organization, succeeded in moving the depot to the museum.

The exterior and interior of the station have been restored to their original Eastlake style. The brick red bulls eyes in the arches are typical decorative touches of that era. The roof construction is Dutch gable. Today, the depot serves as the Museum Store and Visitor Center.

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