The Journal of San Diego History
SAN DIEGO HISTORICAL SOCIETY QUARTERLY
Spring 1988, Volume 34, Number 2
Thomas L. Scharf, Editor

by James N. Price

Santa Fe Stations

ESCONDIDO

History: Historically speaking, this station is one of San Diego County’s most significant. Another centenarian, this 1887 depot served Escondido passengers from 1888 to 1945. Freight operations continued until 1981 when Santa Fe served notice that they would raze the building. City preservationists rallied enough support to purchase and move the building to Grape Day Park in 1985.

Present Use: This lovely wood frame building, which sits alongside other Escondido historic structures, awaits restoration into an historic museum.

Location: The former Escondido station is located in Grape Day Park in downtown between Broadway and Escondido Blvd., north of Valley Parkway. This spot is approximately 1 mile east of the original trackside site.

Escondido station  
Escondido’s now century-old depot had just been completed in this 1887 scene. (San Diego History Center – Ticor Collection).

Escondido station  
The Escondido station today sits in Grape Day Park, about 1/2 mile from its original site, awating restoration into a museum.