La Mesa Depot
The sole surviving San Diego and Cuyamaca Railway station was called the Allison Station when it was built in 1894 in what would become La Mesa in 1912. In 1915, the small original building was moved across the tracks and expanded. The railway served the residents of the area in a variety of ways and the station was truly the center of town to its people. Students used to commute to San Diego High School for their classes. The many lemon farmers appreciated and took advantage of their proximity to a railroad. Shipping and passenger services had waned by 1930 and the structure was relocated to Lakeside. In 1974, the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum Association located and purchased the remains of the building. In 1980-1981 the building was returned to its original site, was restored to its 1915 condition and now serves as the La Mesa Depot Museum.
La Mesa, San Diego County
Photographer: John Bare