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Sanger Depot

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Sanger Depot located in the namesake city in San Joaquin Valley of California.  The depot was constructed in 1887 as part of the Southern Pacific Railroad's East Side Line.  The depot building was relocated in 1977 to 1710 7th Street where it became a city museum.  The original location of Sanger Depot at 7th Street and L Street can be seen below on the 1947 United States Geological Survey map of Sanger.




Part 1; the history of Sanger Depot

The site of Sanger was plotted by the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1886 during construction of their East Side Line through San Joaquin Valley.  Sanger Depot was constructed in 1887 at what would become the site of 7th Street and L Street.  The Southern Pacific Railroad would begin to subdivide and plot the town site of Sanger in 1888.  

The East Side Line (alternatively Stockton-Tulare Railroad) branched east from main San Joaquin Valley line in Fresno towards Porterville.  The East Side Line consolidated with the main line at Famoso in Kern County.  

The East Side Line can be seen passing through Sanger on the 1923 United States Geological Survey map.  The site of Sanger Depot can be seen at the southeast corner of 7th Street and L Street.  A large siding facility can be seen branching east from L Street along Annadale Avenue.  


The siding facility in Sanger is no longer present on the 1947 United States Geological Survey map.


Sanger Depot was eventually closed and purchased by the Tanney brothers.  The depot was discovered to be the oldest building in Sanger and was denoted to the Sanger Historic Society.  The building was relocated to 7th Street and Hoag Avenue where it would reopen as a museum in December 1977.  



Part 2; the past and present sites of Sanger Depot

The below photos are from 7th Street and L Street where Sanger Depot was originally located on the Southern Pacific Railroad.  The street blade at the intersection still is an embossed porcelain design.  The Hotel Sanger Building still displays a vintage neon sign on the marque.  









Sanger Depot can be now found at 1710 7th Street approximately six blocks of where it was originally located.  The depot marque lists the distance from San Francisco and New Orleans. 



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