Happy Birthday, Depot!

The depot locomotive bell was rolled out on the deck and was clanging away to announce that this First Friday in Tehachapi was not just another First Friday celebration, it was also the 6th Anniversary of the Tehachapi Depot. The depot opened its doors to the public on the 5th of June, 2010 after the community rallied together to rebuild the depot that had been destroyed by a tragic fire.

Mayor Susan Wiggins was on hand to cut the cake along with Friends of the Tehachapi Depot (FOTD) President Tim Trujillo. Docents Sheryl Bovi and Doug Pickard were hosts for the celebration that included tasty refreshments. A small crowd consisting of FOTD members and the public were on hand for the celebration. The Freight Room was decorated and a baggage cart displayed an operating toy passenger train to entertain those in attendance. As is always the case, there were several folks visiting from out of town that got a taste of Tehachapi's small town hospitality and guests also got an opportunity to shop at the Depot gift store.

The FOTD is a volunteer organization that staffs the city owned depot and ensures the depot is open to the public from Thursday thru Monday between the hours of 11 to 4 p.m. Admission is free.

With these hours you don't have to wait till another First Friday event to visit the depot. In fact, our next event open to the public is our General Membership meeting Tuesday, June 21 at 6 p.m. A Union Pacific signal maintainer, Mark McGowan, will be making a presentation on railroad signals and his years working with the late Bill Stokoe, whose active signal collection adorns the grounds of the depot.

Many thanks to Mayor Wiggins for joining the fun event and thanks also to the FOTD members and the public that helped to make the 6th Depot Anniversary a memorable event.