One of Santa Fe's more distinctive stations was the road's depot at San Juan Capistrano. A short walk from the famed California Mission (known for the annual return of the swallows), this station, opened in 1894, was built in a similar "mission" style. When Amtrak took over most passenger operations in this country, San Diegans quit stopping here. But a few years later, in 1974 (a year after this photo was taken), most trains once again began stopping here. (Those that didn’t stopped in nearby San Clemente.) In 1975 this station was rebuilt into a restaurant, with additions added to the original structure - including some rail cars converted to become part of the building. This depot is still in service for both Amtrak Pacific Surfliners and Metrolink commuter trains, although the original structure is barely visible due the additions and a thick covering of ivy.
