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 * - Per comments, I have removed citation in lead section as content is sourced elsewhere in the article. Greg Henderson (talk)15:53, 3 June 2024 (UTC)

Coyote station was a railroad depot for Coyote, California. Established in 1869, the station was part of the Southern Pacific Railroad's original line connecting San José and Gilroy. Located in the heart of the Coyote Valley, the station derived its name from the surrounding area. The station was in use until the cancellation of the train route in 1959. Recently, in May 2024, it was relocated to History Park at Kelley Park in San José. Plans are underway to restore the building to its original state and transform it into a transportation museum.

History
The Ohlone, also referred to as the Costanoan Indians, had been residing in and traversing through Coyote Valley for over a thousand years before the time of the Spanish Mission Trail or El Camino Real, translated as The King's Highway. Back then, the road was primarily a wagon path, following approximately the route of the present-day Highway 101, stretching from San Juan Bautista through Coyote Valley to the San José and Santa Clara Missions, and Mission San José in present-day Fremont.

Passenger service


Following California's annexation by the U.S. in 1846 and its attainment of statehood in 1850, ensuring consistent communication with the newly admitted state became imperative. On April 8, 1869, the Santa Clara & Pajaro Valley Railroad commenced freight and passenger operations from San José through Coyote Valley to reach Gilroy. Subsequently that year, the railroad merged with the Central Pacific, eventually coming under the ownership of the Southern Pacific Railroad (SP). Steam locomotives demanded substantial quantities of water, which was scarce in California. Railroad engineers determined that the optimal route ran near Coyote Creek, ensuring access to a reliable water source.

On March 7, 1913, the E. B. and A. L. Stone Company filed with the California Railroad Commission a petition to require the Southern Pacific Railroad to construct a rail spur at Coyote Station to serve a proposed rock, gravel, and sand quarry in Coyote. This rail spur remained in existence until at least 1939, according to United States Geological Survey map data.

The 760 sqft Coyote station catered to the large farming community in Coyote Valley. Initially, the building consisted only of a waiting room and a ticket office. A place to store baggage was later added. Due to the station's relatively remote location, a residence was also built for the station agent and their family. The station agent became the railroad's representative, answering questions about train schedules and freight rates. Additionally, the agent operated the telegraph, receiving orders via wire and passing them on paper to passing trains.

The Coyote station was the point where the double track from the north narrowed into a single track heading south. They also served as sites where train movement orders were conveyed to train personnel by paper forms. The station master at Coyote was responsible for adjusting the track switch as necessary. However, these tasks became obsolete with the implementation of Centralized Train Control around 1960. During the latter part of the 1940s and the early 1950s, U.S. railroads began transitioning from steam locomotives to diesel engines due to their increased fuel economy and reduced maintenance needs. During Southern Pacific's shift from steam to diesel, steam engines were reassigned to the Bay Area. The cleaner water in the Bay Area provided an opportunity for the antiquated steam locomotives to remain in service longer. By 1952, Southern Pacific had ceased all of its steam locomotives from regular use, making the water reservoir at Coyote unnecessary. A water tower still stands off Monterey Road.

Closure and relocation of the station


The Coyote station closed in 1959 due to a combination of technological advancements and societal changes. The emergence of radio and telephone communications significantly reduced the need for station agents to manually transmit orders to passing trains. The rise of automobiles and the development of paved roads led to a decline in train passengers, as people preferred the convenience and flexibility of car travel. These factors contributed to the decline in usage and need of the station. Consequently, after serving as a flag stop for several years, the station ultimately closed its doors in 1959.

During the subsequent fifty years, the station was leased as a private dwelling. In 2010, the last resident departed, leaving the structure abandoned. Plans were underway to tear down the station due to proposed construction of the high-speed rail line in the area. In 2017, a grassroots movement emerged to save the Coyote station from demolition. After two years of negotiations, Union Pacific agreed to sell the depot to History San José for a nominal fee of $1. The original station was moved to History Park at Kelley Park in San Jose in May 2024. The station at History Park will be restored to its original state and transformed into a museum dedicated to transportation. A new room within the station will host a model train display managed by the Golden State Toy Train Operators. The Coyote Post Office moved to History Park in 1974.