1913 – Many locals don’t know that Cardiff once had its own train depot. Located on the east side of the tracks, just north of the Chesterfield Drive crossing, it was built in 1913, closed in the ’20s, and torn down in 1943. Believe it or not, a recently uncovered slab from the original platform still exists!
During the construction of the Coastal Rail Trail in 2018, Encinitas resident and railroad buff Ron Dodge discovered the relic and reached out to another train enthusiast, Councilmember Tony Kranz. Together with Mayor Catherine Blakespear, they convinced SANDAG to preserve it for historical purposes by moving the Rail Trail slightly eastward. If you discover it during a bike ride or walk, it might not seem very impressive until you actually realize what once was.
Here’s the slab:
