The Goleta Depot Committee was formed in 1980 by the community organization Goleta Beautiful with a mission to save and preserve the historic Goleta Depot. This dedicated committee of volunteers recognized the depot’s unique value as a piece of local history and mobilized to ensure its survival and restoration. The committee was comprised of influential community members and preservationists, including Gary Coombs, George Adams, Raymond Baird, Eugene Allen, and Phyllis Olsen, who all played significant roles in the project.
Under the committee’s leadership, the ambitious effort to relocate the Goleta Depot began in 1981. In a carefully coordinated move, the depot was transported from its original trackside location to Lake Los Carneros County Park, where it would be restored and repurposed as a community museum. This relocation and restoration were made possible by the tireless work of the Goleta Depot Committee, along with support from Goleta Beautiful, local volunteers, and the community at large.
Following the depot’s successful relocation and initial restoration, Goleta Beautiful transferred ownership of the depot to the Institute For American Research in 1983. This transition enabled the depot to become formally established as the “Goleta Depot Railroad Museum,” which would eventually evolve into the South Coast Railroad Museum that exists today. Through this stewardship, the museum continues to serve as a community hub, educating the public on the rich railroad history of the Goleta Valley.
The Goleta Depot Committee’s vision, dedication, and collaborative spirit not only preserved the depot building itself but also safeguarded a valuable piece of Goleta’s heritage for future generations. Today, their legacy lives on as the South Coast Railroad Museum continues to engage the public with programs, exhibits, and events that celebrate the area’s unique railroad history. The Goleta Depot Committee remains an inspiring example of how community action and teamwork can create lasting cultural preservation.