The Southern Pacific Train Depot is being considered for a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. (Photo by Nick Sestanovich)

The Southern Pacific Train Depot could be one step closer to being named as a national historic landmark if the Historic Preservation Review Commission (HPRC) endorses the nomination at its Thursday meeting.

In 2015, the Benicia Historical Society and Parks and Community Services Department put together a nomination for the Depot to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places, a list of historic places across the nation that are considered worthy of preservation. That October, the HPRC unanimously endorsed a resolution to support the nomination, followed by a recommendation to the City Council by the Parks, Recreation & Cemetery Commission that November; and a unanimous resolution by the council itself in January 2016. The Benicia Historical Society submitted the nomination to the State Office of Historic Preservation, who in turn brought it to the State Historical Resources Commission (SHRC). In May, city staff learned that the application would be considered at the next quarterly SHRC meeting on July 28 in San Rafael. The next step is for the HPRC to prepare a report detailing whether the property meets the Register’s criteria as well as a letter of support to the Commission to go over eligibility.

The Depot was built in Banta as a railroad station, utilizing a rectangular two-story design with wood paneling that was commonly used by other Southern Pacific railroad depots. Many of these buildings— including sites in Chico, Sanger, Sunol and Whittier— are listed on the Register. In 1902, the Banta building was moved to Benicia’s waterfront where it served as the primary passenger and freight station and train ferry staging center until 1930. Use was limited until 1975, when it was purchased by the city. By the ‘90s, the building had fallen into disarray with several failed attempts to rehabilitate the structure that was frequently surrounded by floods. In 1999, a successful attempt to recondition the property was initiated and work was completed in 2001. The building had been raised to prevent flooding damage, but it remains in the same location it has been in since 1902. The Depot now houses the Benicia Main Street program as well as a gift shop and See’s Candies store.

If approved by the Register, the Depot would be one of 10 Benicia sites on the list, including the Arsenal, Capitol State Historic Park, Fischer-Hanlon House and Von Pfister General Store.

“Listing of the Depot on the National Register will mark another significant milestone in preserving this iconic structure that has occupied a central position in Benicia’s identity for 115 years,” HPRC Chair Tim Reynolds wrote in his letter of recommendation. “It is our Commission’s opinion that the Benicia Southern Pacific Passenger Depot meets all criteria for nomination as a landmark on the National Register of Historic Places and we are pleased to offer our recommendation of support to the State Historical Resources Commission.”

The SHRC meeting will be held 9 a.m., Friday, July 28 in San Rafael City Hall’s Council Chambers, located at 1400 Fifth Ave. in San Rafael.

The HPRC will meet at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, June 22 in City Hall’s Commission Room, located at 250 East L St.

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