Tehachapi News

Depot kickoff a grand affair

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“Third time's a charm,” declared City Councilman Phil Smith, before the jubilant crowd that gathered to witness the June 5 grand opening of the historic Tehachapi Depot and Railroad Museum.

Community leaders and volunteers spoke in honor and remembrance of the railroad's cultural influence upon the community of Tehachapi, in triumphant celebration of the depot's “rise from the ashes.”

First erected by the Southern Pacific in 1896, the depot was destroyed by fire and re-built in 1904.

Smith spoke of shared, communal grief, after the nearly restored depot building burnt down once again on June 13, 2008.

“The whole town felt it,” he said.

On a perfect Tehachapi Saturday afternoon, it appeared as if the whole town spilled out into the streets to witness the transformation of ashes to beauty: Tehachapi Boulevard was blocked off and lined with vintage vehicles and fire trucks, local service groups proudly represented, and a railroad themed bounce house several “railroad cars” long.

“History begins again as soon as we cut the ribbon,” Councilman Smith said, “for the next 100 years - and you're all a part of it!”

A very instrumental part of it all, local historian Del Troy said she was very pleased to see the culmination of her 37-year-old “dream.”

“I kept thinking it should be a railroad museum, of course, but I never imagined anything this grand,” Troy admitted modestly before civic leaders and volunteers took the stage to applaud her tireless efforts.

Troy was part of a downtown revitalization committee in the early 90s that resulted in the depot's listing on the National Register of Historical Places in 1999.

Old timers reminisced, but future generations were also well represented, with Boy Scout Troop 3 presenting the colors, and the Tehachapi High School band and choir performing the national anthem.

“What a proud day this is for our city,” Mayor Linda Vernon said adding, “Wouldn't you agree?”

All speakers were in agreement as Museum Curator Charles White received repeated praise for coordinating the city's second successful museum opening within the past two weeks.

White explained that the depot museum emphasizes, “The importance that Tehachapi and the loop play in the history of California as the second transcontinental rail link.” He said that the newly renovated Tehachapi Museum and Errea House, on Green Street, “tells the rest of the story.”

City Councilman Ed Grimes commended White and volunteer set decorator David Reed for their dedication and “countless hours” of work on the depot's displays and exhibits.

“It will blow you away,” Grimes said.

Also commended in triplicate, Friends of the Tehachapi Depot founding members Doug Pickard and Sheryl Bovi were hailed for their persistence and tireless dedication.

“They were the spearheads for this project,” Former Mayor John Rombouts said.

Pickard recounted the first meeting of what would later become the Friends of the Tehachapi Depot, in 1997, and the “13-year journey” to restore the depot and create a railroad museum.

“It's only just begun,” Pickard said, informing the crowd that the Friends are still working to restore more pieces of the extensive collection of signals and railroad memorabilia from the late Bill Stokoe collection for future exhibit.

“Keep watching,” Pickard said.

Main Street Director Michelle Vance called the community's new centerpiece “a labor of love.”

Noting again that two museum openings within such a short time span is a harbinger of a new upswing in cultural tourism.

“Young people are more and more interested in the past, our history and culture now,” Vance said adding, “the depot is now on Facebook. We can connect with people all over the planet.”

Vance believes that the incredible volunteer efforts demonstrated on the depot's re-emergence will encourage local youth to get involved in giving back to the community.

“This is Main Street. Partnerships are vital. Our downtown will just grow and grow,” she said, comparing the current, successful collaborative efforts to “old times” when shop owners gathered to plan for the future and shape their community. “This is the cherry on the top of downtown.”