When you hear historical tales about how the railroad arrived in Tucson, you either think the city was reborn or you think: there goes the neighborhood. In this case, the train depot has become the heart of the neighborhood, and your Tucson vacation.
Which isn’t surprising considering all that’s happened here since 1880. Take March 20, 1882 for instance. Wyatt Earp and Doc Holiday shot the outlaw Frank Stilwell near this very spot following the famous shootout at O.K. Corral. Or, consider that in 1900, President William McKinley stepped onto the same platform that you can stand on now. Not to mention that John Dillinger’s entire gang was loaded onto a Chicago train here by local authorities.
Actually, the depot you see in the heart of Tucson is not the original; it’s a larger version built in 1907. That’s still pretty historic. And following its time serving passengers and freight for the likes of Southern Pacific and Union Pacific Railroads, and its renovation completed in 2004, this building has become not just a part of Tucson’s history, but a thriving place to shop, eat and mingle. And, yes, the trains still do stop here.
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Things to know:
Region: Arizona Old West
Related activities: This is the definition of rest for the weary traveler: if you visit Tucson by Amtrak train, the Historic Hotel Congress is right across Toole Avenue from the depot.
Dates and Times: The Historic Train Depot welcomes Amtrak passengers Monday from midnight to 4:30 a.m., Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.; Wednesday through Saturday from midnight to 4:30 a.m., 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.; and Saturday from midnight to 4:30 a.m. and 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
Highlights: The Historic Train Depot is also the home of Locomotive #1673, built in 1900 by Schenectady Locomotive Works and retired from service in 1955. You can tour the locomotive Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Photos courtesy of waymark.com - rambles and Southern Pacific 1673.
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