Last updated: 3/26/2019
Shafter, California
Street Address
150 Central Valley HwyShafter, CA 93263
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 1088Shafter, CA 93263

Hours

Saturday
11 AM - 3 PM
Tours are available at other times by appointment. Call Stan Wilson, Curator, at 661-746-4423 for an appointment time or for any additional information.

Admissions

Free

Free

Staff

Stan Wilson
phone: 661-746-4423
e-mail:
Stephanie Benito
phone:
Description

Located in the ex Santa Fe Railroad depot, our musuem offers railroad, & local history exhibits. he Harlin P. Wilson Agricultual Museum is adjacent to the Depot and contains agricultural exhibits.

Agents Office

The agent’s office contains all the equipment needed to run a small town railroad agency during the heyday of railroading. Original timetables, tickets and the ticket dater used by the agent are found here. Freight waybills and tariffs from the era are on display. Hoops used to hand up orders to passing trains hang from the walls waiting their next call to duty. There is a working telegraph where visitors can try their hand at telegraphy. In the next room a baggage wagon carries antique trunks ready for loading on the next train out.

General Shafter

The City of Shafter is named for General William Rufus “Pecos Bill” Shafter, commanding general of American forces in Cuba during the Spanish-American War in 1898. This was the year the railroad was completed in this area and a siding was named in his honor. The Kern County Land Company sold lots for the town of Shafter at this site in 1914. General Shafter began his military career with the Seventh Michigan Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War. He retired from the army in 1901 and lived on his ranch in southwest Kern County until his death in 1906. Some of General Shafter’s personal effects are on display.

History

The Historical Society was founded in l979 to save and convert the depot into a museum. The musuem was opened to the public in l982.

Governance

Shafter Historical Society

Publications

A membership brings a twice yearly newsletter.

Shafter Jubliee
Bundle of Living
High Stepping Days
Services
Gift Shop

The Shafter Depot Museum has the following books available for purchase: Bundle of Living by Regina Becker; White Gold by John Turner; High Stepping Days by Arthur Kadel.

Also available for purchase are the following: Historical Playing Cards; Centennial Cachet; Depot Postcards; Shafter City Postcards; Historical Building Stationary.

If you would like to order a commemorative item or a book available in our gift shop please fill out the form on the Depot website or contact us at 661-746-4423.

Gift Shop
ADA
Wheelchair Accessible
Parking
Restrooms
Exhibitions
Museum Events
DISCLAIMER
This information, including business hours, addresses and contact information is provided for general reference purposes only. No representation is made or warranty is given as to its content or the reliability thereof. User assumes all risk of use. Stories USA, Inc. and its content suppliers assume no responsibility for any loss or delay resulting from such use. Please call ahead to verify the dates, the location and directions.

MUSEUM CONFERENCES

Museum Trustee Association Spring Forum 2024

April 10 - 14, 2024

Atlanta, Georgia

Texas Association of Museums 2024 Lubock Annual Conference

April 14 - 17, 2024

Lubbock, Texas

2024 Colorado-Wyoming ANNUAL MEETING

May 1 - 4, 2024

Worland, Wyoming

West Virginia Association of Museums 2024 Conference

June 6 - 8, 2024

Shepherdstown, West Virginia

RECENT UPDATES

Museums

03/07 The Mariners' Museum and Park

Newport News, Virginia

Museum Vendors

02/18 Tessellate

New York City, New York

10/30 Museum Fabrication Group, LLC

Denton, Texas

03/07 ConservArt Inc.

Boca Raton, Florida