DoubleTree's RR Roundhouse- Santa Barbara, CA
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member DougK
N 34° 25.000 W 119° 40.560
11S E 254057 N 3811604
Located off the the main lobby of what is now Fess Parker's DoubleTree, the Plaza Del Sol symbolizes the railroad roundhouse, replicating the Spanish architecture found throughout Santa Barbara.
Waymark Code: WMEK11
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 06/06/2012
Published By:Groundspeak Regular Member Team RAGAR
Views: 3
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The circular atrium of what is now Fess Parker's Doubletree Resort was at one time a roundhouse operated by the Southern Pacific Railroad. When this resort hotel was built the basic architecture of the roundhouse was integrated into the hotel. The turntable area was replaced by red tiles laid in a circular fashion, while what were once stalls for engines, became arched windows surrounding the center. A nearby plaque tells the history of the roundhouse:

THE SOUTHERN PACIFIC RR ROUNDHOUSE

     This property was the site for two locomotive
roundhouses constructed by the Southern Pacific
Railroad. The first stood between 1911 and 1925,
when the June 29, 1925, earthquake severly damaged
it. Miss Pearl Chase of the Plans and Planting
Committee, Community Arts Association, convinced
the railroad to design the new building in the Spanish
style for which Santa Barbara was becoming famous.
The beautiful result resembled the bullring in Seville,
Spain.

     From 1926 to 1961 the roundhouse and engine
turntable serviced the Southern Pacific's steam loco-
motives; by 1961 the coast route had converted to
diesel power. The structure was then remodeled for
warehouse use and the turntable was removed. In
September, 1982, the roundhouse was demolished to
make way for a resort hotel. The hotel's ground floor
plaza symbolizes the hiostoric roundhouse.

Plaque dedicated May 16, 1998
Santa Barbara Parlor No. 116,
Native Sons of the Golden West
Jessee M Gracia, Grand President

The outside of the roundhouse can be seen in Google Street View.

633 East Cabrillo Boulevard
Santa Barbara, CA 93103

Number of Stalls: 12

Year Built: 01/01/1911

Currently in Operation: no
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