Arcade Depot

The Arcade Depot was the main Southern Pacific Railroad passenger railway station of Los Angeles, California between 1888 and 1914. It was located on Alameda Street, between 5th and 6th Streets. This station consolidated intercity services at a location closer to Downtown Los Angeles than the previous terminal, the San Fernando Street Depot.

History
The land for the station was furnished to Southern Pacific by the City of Los Angeles, which was intended to lure the railroad to town. The Victorian style wooden station was completed in 1888. It was located on the site of the former orange groves of William Wolfskill, on the east side of Downtown Los Angeles towards the Los Angeles River. It was a massive wooden structure, 500 ft long, with skylights and an arched roof clearing 90 ft above the platforms below. A palm tree was replanted outside the station during its opening year.

The station replaced the Southern Pacific River Station as the main L.A. passenger terminal, which was located next to a freight yard farther outside of downtown L.A.

In addition to mainline steam trains, the depot was also served by Pacific Electric Red Cars.

By 1913, the Arcade Depot had fallen into a state of disrepair and calls were made for its replacement in anticipation of increased passenger traffic. The station was closed in 1914 when the SP opened the Los Angeles Central Station just to the north. The old depot was demolished soon after to make room for new outdoor platforms serving the new station.