Bergamot Station

Bergamot Station is a facility housing many art galleries in Santa Monica, California, USA. The site was previously a railroad station from 1875 to 1953, serving the Los Angeles and Independence Railroad and later the Santa Monica Air Line.

History

The name "Bergamot Station" dates back to 1875 when it was a stop and car storage area on the steam powered Los Angeles and Independence Railroad from Santa Monica to downtown Los Angeles - as well as the subsequent Santa Monica Air Line on the Pacific Electric trolley system until 1953. The station was named after Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), a wild flower native to North America, that once flourished in the area.

After passenger service ceased, the line was used for light freight delivery only. Car storage was no longer needed and Southern Pacific Railroad leased the land to various companies for light manufacturing. Warehouse buildings were constructed and housed a celery packing operation, then an ice-making plant, and finally, the manufacturing home base for American Appliance water heaters.