HISTORY OF THE SANTA FE RAILYARD
On February 9, 1880, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Company ushered its inaugural train into the Santa Fe, New Mexico station, marking the event with speeches and a parade. To put this event in historical perspective, at that time Rutherford B. Hayes occupied the White House.
This train’s arrival marked the end of perilous travels via horseback, covered wagons, or stagecoaches along the rugged Santa Fe Trail, initiating an era of economic and societal transformation that continues to shape Santa Fe’s present-day life.
The introduction of the railroad led to an influx of tourists and new settlers via its sleeper and dining coaches, accompanied by the Harvey Girls en route to the Harvey House-La Fonda Hotel on the Plaza. Illustrators and photographers employed by the railway produced captivating images of Santa Fe, aiming to attract visitors from the distant East to explore the Western region.
Indigenous Native American and Hispanic handiworks were crafted specifically for sale to those journeying by train. With the new railway in place, galvanized tin and bricks arrived and contributed to the emergence of metal roofing and Victorian-style brick structures, complementing the traditional pueblo architecture of Santa Fe.
As new communities sprang up to accommodate the laborers and their families engaged in the burgeoning railroad industry, the Railyard in Santa Fe evolved into a hub of bustling activity. The Railyard depot served as a welcoming spot for distinguished visitors, politicians, and stars.
In addition to the narrow-gauge Chili Line that carried produce, two standard-gauge railway tracks entered the city. As a rail terminus, the Railyard utilized a turntable for rotating its locomotives. By the 1940s, The Railyard had become a focal point of activity for residents of Santa Fe. Those who have lived near the Railyard for many years recall spending afternoons harvesting wild lettuce and swimming in the acequia running through the area.
In winter, there was ice skating, and circus visits brought elephants to the town. During the Depression era, local people would gather at the Railyard to receive free meat distributed from the storage facilities. This location continued to be a vital center of activity until after World War II when rail travel started to decline in favor of the burgeoning interstate highway network and air travel.
The Santa Fe Railyard Today
As with many areas across the U.S., the station, tracks, machinery, and adjacent neighborhood in Santa Fe started to deteriorate. By 1987, it was recognized as an area in need of improvement, prompting the start of a comprehensive city plan that same year.
This process of urban redevelopment spanned several years. The city emphasized from the outset the importance of safeguarding the neighboring communities while ensuring that the new development mirrored the original, industrial character of the former railyard. Additionally, it aimed to promote opportunities for local businesses. The community actively participated in the design process.
In February 2002, exactly 122 years after the arrival of the first train in The City Different, the Railyard Master Plan received approval. Additionally, the Santa Fe Railyard Community Corporation was granted a lease and management contract by the city to supervise the development of the 50-acre area. The initial phase of development started with archaeological investigations in 2004, followed by the commencement of infrastructure construction and the preparation of building sites in 2006.
The grand opening in September 2008 marked not just an event, but the revitalization of one of Santa Fe’s historic sites. More than a century later, the City of Santa Fe owns the Railyard land, which now hosts a dynamic array of businesses catering to the varied interests of the community. This includes the Farmers Market, the arts organization — SITE Santa Fe — and the Hispanic cultural hub El Museo Cultural, along with a diverse range of eateries, performance venues, shops, contemporary art galleries, and the state-of-the-art Violet Crown Cinema with its 11 screens.
The New Mexico Railrunner Express commuter service has brought regular train arrivals and departures back to the historic Santa Fe Depot. The year 2017 witnessed the introduction of Railyard Flats, a 58-unit urban residential project, and the impressive expansion of SITE Santa Fe by the internationally acclaimed SHOP Architects. Since its reopening in September 2008, The Railyard has re-emerged as not only a central spot for local life in Santa Fe but also as a novel destination for visitors worldwide.
