El Toro station (Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway)

El Toro
Former ATSF passenger rail station
General information
Coordinates33°37′39″N 117°41′40″W / 33.62746359434118°N 117.69442471097697°W / 33.62746359434118; -117.69442471097697
Line(s)ATSF Surf Line
Platforms1 side platform
Construction
Structure typeat-grade
History
Opened1888
Closedc. 1960s
Former services
Preceding station Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Following station
Santa Ana
toward Los Angeles
 Surf Line San Juan Capistrano
toward San Diego
Irvine
Until 1947[1]
toward Los Angeles
Location
Map

El Toro station was a railway station in the former unincorporated community of El Toro, California, which was incorporated as Lake Forest in 1991. It was a stop on the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway (ATSF) Surf Line, which was served by San Diegan passenger trains. The station was located on the north side of El Toro Road.

History

On February 25, 1887, El Toro founder Dwight Whiting granted a right-of-way to ATSF to build the Surf Line through his ranch, connecting Los Angeles and San Diego. The El Toro station opened in 1888, spurring growth in the area.[2] It was used as a connection point for fledgling communities nearby such as Laguna Beach and Modjeska Canyon that were reached by carriage.[3][4]

The station was demolished in the 1960s amidst a wave of suburban development in the area, including a railroad overpass bridge project adjacent to the site of the station.[5]

References

  1. ^ Paulson, Wendy (May 17, 1990). "Tracking Progress : Irvine Hub Dedicated as Start of 'Railroad Renaissance'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  2. ^ "El Toro and Its History". Moulton Museum. January 21, 2022. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
  3. ^ Whitcomb, Janet (October 17, 2011). "A Boy's-Eye View of Old El Toro". Patch. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
  4. ^ Pasco, Jean (February 28, 2005). "Modjeska House a Retreat for All". Los Angeles Times. p. B3. Retrieved December 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ Whitcomb, Janet (June 13, 2011). "Old El Toro's Transportation Hub". Patch. Retrieved December 19, 2024.