From 1904-1961, this depot served the Long Beach Line of the Pacific Electric Railway Company. It was the only structure that was not damaged when businesses on 103rd Street burned during the 1965 Watts Riots. As a symbol of hope and renewal for the Watts community, it was declared Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument #36 on December 3, 1965 and was also listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. The Community Redevelopment Agency spent $700,000 to restore the structure to its original exterior design in the 1980s. The Blue Line of the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) operates on the old Pacific Electric right of way and has a stop at the station, but the station does not serve as a passenger platform or ticket booth for riders. Dilapidated Watts railroad station seen from across the tracks.
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