vintage FRED HARVEY BREAKFAST MENU Union Station Building Chicago Illinois

The Santa Fe Station & Eating House in Bakersfield, California, was an important stop along the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, operated by Fred Harvey. This establishment was part of the extensive network of Harvey Houses that provided high-quality dining and lodging for train passengers.

Key features of the Bakersfield Santa Fe Station & Eating House include:

Location: The station was situated along the railroad tracks in Bakersfield, California

Facilities: It comprised both a station and a hotel, serving as a crucial rest stop for travelers

Architecture: The building featured a distinctive architectural style common to many Santa Fe stations of the era, with a large central structure flanked by wings

Services: As a Fred Harvey House, it would have offered high-quality meals and accommodations to railway passengers

Historical significance: This Harvey House was part of Fred Harvey’s pioneering efforts in western hospitality, which played a crucial role in “civilizing the West”[

The Santa Fe Station & Eating House in Bakersfield was an integral part of Fred Harvey’s partnership with the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad, which began in 1878[4]. This collaboration gave Harvey exclusive rights to manage and operate eating houses, lunch stands, and hotel facilities along the Santa Fe’s railroads.

Santa Fe Station & Eating House

Located at 15th and F streets and once a glorious sight to many a wary traveler, the Harvey House opened its doors to customers on May 15, 1902. It was demolished in 1972.

Today, while the original building no longer exists, its legacy is preserved through various historical collections and archives, including the Fred Harvey Collection at the University of Arizona and postcards that have become collectible.