Tehachapi News

Stokoe artifacts were not harmed in Depot fire

larger view larger view

On Friday morning of the Depot fire, Del Troy who has been involved for 35 years in the effort to acquire and restore the Tehachapi Depot said, "You have to believe that something good will come out of this." All of Tehachapi seems to agree. The City of Tehachapi has made the commitment to rebuild the Depot and our citizens have stepped forward to fully support that decision.
As heartbreaking as the fire's destruction has been to those dedicated citizens working on its restoration, an unexpected outpouring of community spirit has been heard all over town about the tragedy. I don't think those involved in the project realized the depth of feelings from so many people in the community and their anticipation of seeing the restored Depot as the focal point of a vital Downtown Tehachapi. Cash donations are already coming in.
A team of volunteers from the Tehachapi Heritage League and Friends of the Tehachapi Depot (FOTD) has been cataloging the Stokoe Collection for the City and has begun cataloging items given to FOTD for display in the Depot. There are over 300 items in the Stokoe Collection alone. Exhibit planning, graphics, photo reproduction and research has been ongoing so that once the Depot was completed, exhibits could be installed. Fortunately, none of these items had been moved into the Depot and are all in a safe place.
A few original items to be used in the restored Depot were stored in the building. Old desks, circa 1910-1930, the old ticket counter and various storage cabinets, probably dating to the Depot's 1904 construction, were in the Depot when it was acquired by the City. They were stored there during the construction and were destroyed in the fire.
 Visitors to the Museum will not only include Tehachapi residents, their families and visitors, but an abundance of rail and Loop enthusiasts who travel to the Tehachapi area specifically for its railroad history.
All the exhibits have not been fully planned due to the constant acquisition of new artifacts from many sources. The displays will be arranged in general areas of interest that will be interesting, informative and fun for all ages. The Station Master's desk will be recreated as closely as possible to its original appearance, recreating the work area of the stationmaster, which was the hub of activity. We have many original items from the Stokoe Collection and other items from THL to complete this exhibit.
An exhibit of old and new photos of the Depot will recognize the people and organizations that have contributed to the Depot's history, restoration and subsequent rebuilding. Railway travel posters, waiting room benches, railway china from dining cars and information on the Harvey Houses will highlight the attraction that drew previous generations to see the country by rail in a “Romance of the Rails” section.
Original Tehachapi town maps, photos and history of the people who came with the railroad and settled here will show how the railroad was responsible for “Putting Tehachapi on The Map.” Also included will be the businesses, hotels and other services that sprang up and continued for many years.
An orientation area for The Tehachapi Loop will give visitors a complete overview of The Loop. There will be photos or models of engines and train cars that traveled along The Loop throughout its history. Brochures will be available with directions on how to visit The Loop.
A special section will honor the dedication and hard work of the various level of workerswho helped construct the Loop. This “Working on the Railroad” section will use the relays, spare parts, tools and other Stokoe items to show the life of the men who kept the trains running.
If you have items or photos to donate, please call Charles White at 972-0958. Original photos and documents will be scanned for use in the Depot Museum. The originals can be archived in a safe place in our research library, or can be returned to their owners if so desired.
These exhibits are still in the planning stage and much work needs to be done, including cleaning, painting, refinishing and even identifying some of the items collected by FOTD. If you want to contribute in some way, call Charles White at 972-0958 and you will be directed to the best place to make your contribution of railroad memorabilia, labor or other assets.