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Here to See Train Museum Photos
LOCATION of MUSEUM
LOCATION of TRAIN MUSEUM
VISIT OUR
PULLMAN RAILROAD CAR
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BACKGROUND: The Millbrae Historical Society got its start in the early 1970's by saving one of very few landmarks left in the town. The Southern Pacific Railroad wanted to destroy the Millbrae Train Station in order to make room for additional parking for commuters. A group of dedicated Millbrae residents got together and proceeded to have the building put on the National Registry of Historic Places.
After that accomplishment was made in 1976, several other buildings were recognized by the Society. One of those other structures was a Spring Valley Water Company (later to become the San Francisco Water Department) house that was located between Broadway and Magnolia Avenue, in Millbrae. That building was also slated for demolition, in order to make way for a new retirement center.
The Historical Society again stepped up to the plate and saved the then 90 year-old house, by moving it one-half mile through downtown Millbrae! It was then fully and meticulously restored to its original as-built condition. The Society mustered up all the needed volunteers, raised the necessary funds, and put together a cadre of businesses that donated labor and materials. This wonderful building is now the Society's Museum.
Inside is a well organized and displayed history of Millbrae and the surrounding area. Numerous photos, artifacts, furniture, and documents are stored within the 1895-built house. Recently, the City of Millbrae is built a full basement for the Museum, and moved the building a second time, about 50 feet, in order to facilitate the construction of a new library.
For the future, the Historical Society will build a new 3500 square foot display pavilion, right next to our existing Museum. The new building will be designed to complement the original house, and will have many additional artifacts on display. Among the artifacts are: a 19th century surrey, a 19th century horse-drawn carriage, a 1932 Millbrae Fire Truck, and numerous items that are currently stored all over various parts of Millbrae.
TRAIN MUSEUM: The Millbrae Historical Society has created a railroad museum at the now former Millbrae Train Station. Read the PRESS from February 2005.
That station building has been continuously in use since it was rebuilt in 1907. The Historical Society has a three-tiered plan for the site. The first part of the plan has now come to pass, that was to repair, clean up and repaint the structure. Careful attention is being paid to restoring to its original as-built state. The inside has been set up as a display area. Virtually all the photos, artifacts, documents, books, etc are already on display. The entire museum is dedicated primarily to railroad history of Millbrae, the Peninsula, and to some extent the Bay Area.
The second tier of the plan is to have the outside area just south of the building set up as a display of real railroad cars and possibly the future, locomotives. The first car is already open for display! It is a 1941 Pullman sleeping car from the Premium Streamliner City of San Francisco. This car has never been modified and is therefore in its original configuration and plaint scheme, inside and out. All hardware, fixtures, etc. are in place, and all systems are either working or in the process of being restored. This car is open every Saturday from 10:00AM to 2:00PM.
The third part of the plan
is to have our enthusiastic volunteers working with the appropriate contractors
to build a rail spur line south of the station approximately one mile. This
would allow for operation of short rail excursions for visitors from far away,as
well as our local residents to enjoy. A true rail travel experience would be
had by all! ---- * Visit us any Saturday 10am-2pm or call for an appointment
650-333-1136
Thanks for visiting!