If you’ve ever wandered down Orange Street in Chico, you’ve likely noticed the old train depot sitting beside the tracks—the Chico train station. Unassuming yet full of charm, it’s a place where Chico’s past still lingers. Generations of travelers, students, and even famous guests have passed through its doors, and its story is as rich as the town it serves.
Let’s take a ride through time and explore the enduring legacy of this Chico landmark.
First Stop: 1870 and the California and Oregon Railroad
The railroad first arrived in Chico in 1870, when the California and Oregon Railroad—a subsidiary of the Central Pacific—laid its tracks into town. That same year, Chico’s first train depot was constructed, a modest wooden structure that became the gateway for commerce and travel in the region. It brought with it progress and prosperity, linking Chico’s agriculture and lumber to markets beyond.
Built for the Long Haul: Southern Pacific’s 1892 Depot
As Chico grew, so did its rail needs. In 1892, the Southern Pacific Railroad built the depot we know today. Still a wooden structure but designed to better serve both passengers and freight, the new station quickly became a hub of activity.
Just across the street was the Western Hotel, ready to welcome visitors stepping off the train. The scene was classic: porters unloading trunks, families reuniting, and newcomers looking forward to discovering Chico.
Photos courtesy of Sacramento Train Museum
Education on Track: Chico State’s Beginnings
In 1887, Chico became home to the Northern Branch of the State Normal School, now Chico State. Students and professors from across Northern California arrived by train, stepping into the station and into the next chapter of their lives. For generations, the station was their first introduction to Chico—a place where opportunity arrived on steel rails.
Distinguished Guests: Arrivals by Rail
During the 19th century, John and Annie Bidwell—founders and civic leaders of Chico—were known for hosting some of the most prominent figures of their time. Many of their esteemed guests likely arrived at Chico’s train station, stepping off the platform and into the history books. Among those visitors:
- President Rutherford B. Hayes, 19th President of the United States, who visited Chico in 1880 after his term, reflecting the Bidwells' influence on national politics and society.
- General William T. Sherman, famed Civil War Union general, whose presence in Chico linked the town to one of the most defining figures in American military history.
- Susan B. Anthony, trailblazing leader of the women’s suffrage movement, who found a kindred spirit in Annie Bidwell’s activism for temperance and women’s rights.
- Frances Willard, a nationally known educator and head of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, who campaigned tirelessly for social reform.
- Governor Leland Stanford, former California Governor, railroad magnate, and founder of Stanford University, whose ties to railroads and education mirrored the Bidwells' civic pursuits.
- John Muir, naturalist and “Father of the National Parks,” whose environmental passion likely resonated with the Bidwells’ love of land and conservation.
- Asa Gray, one of America’s foremost botanists, whose scientific influence helped shape the understanding of California’s native flora.
A Historic Moment: The Liberty Bell in Chico
In 1915, the Liberty Bell made its way across the country on a tour promoting national unity and liberty bonds. It stopped in Chico, arriving by train to a crowd of eager residents. For a moment, Chico stood at the crossroads of national history, its train station the stage for an event that brought the whole town together. The visit was a point of pride and connection, linking Chico to the broader story of America’s journey through war, freedom, and patriotism.
Hollywood Arrives by Rail: Filming The Adventures of Robin Hood
In 1938, Chico played host to Hollywood magic as Warner Bros. selected Bidwell Park to stand in for Sherwood Forest in The Adventures of Robin Hood, starring Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland. The production brought a flurry of excitement to the town, with cast and crew arriving by train. Upon arrival, they were whisked away to their accommodations at Richardson Springs, a mineral springs resort nestled just outside Chico. The film’s grand scenes—including Robin Hood’s camp and the legendary archery contest—were brought to life beneath the sprawling branches of the Hooker Oak, one of the largest valley oak trees in the world at the time. The presence of Hollywood stars and the transformation of Chico’s natural beauty into cinematic history left an indelible mark on the town’s cultural heritage.
Getaways and Relaxation: Richardson Springs
Chico’s train station wasn’t just a stopover—it was the gateway to Richardson Springs, a beloved mineral springs resort just outside of town. Early visitors were met by horse-drawn coaches, later replaced by motorized vehicles that could seat twelve, ready to carry them through the foothills for a rejuvenating stay. The station bustled with luggage being loaded, resort guests exchanging greetings, and drivers calling out names—an era of leisure and elegance.
War, Change, and Renewal
During World Wars I and II, the station was a poignant setting for goodbyes and homecomings. Soldiers departed from its platform, and many were welcomed home on those same tracks. Over time, with the rise of cars and air travel, train service declined.
Passenger rail service to Chico ceased in 1957, and when Amtrak was established in 1971, its initial routes bypassed Chico entirely. For more than a decade, Chicoans watched as the Coast Starlight sped by without stopping. But the community refused to accept this. Through sustained advocacy and political pressure, Chico fought to change the route—and won.
In 1982, Amtrak reinstated service to Chico, rerouting the Coast Starlight to stop here once again. It was a major victory for a community determined to stay connected to the national rail system.
Today, the Coast Starlight still rolls through town daily at around 2:00 AM northbound and 4:00 AM southbound, and Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach service links Chico to Sacramento’s Capitol Corridor. Meanwhile, Union Pacific freight trains continue to rumble through Chico 20 to 25 times a day, a familiar and steady part of the town’s rhythm.
"Fire guts Chico train station"
In the early morning hours of Saturday, April 5, 1986, a devastating fire tore through the warehouse section of the Chico train station. First spotted by a jogger around 4:30 a.m., the blaze was widely suspected to be the result of arson. In true Chico spirit, the community quickly rallied around the historic site, launching efforts to restore and preserve what remained of the beloved landmark.
Preservation and Art: The Station Today
In 2014, the Chico train station was added to the National Register of Historic Places, recognizing its importance to Chico’s story. Today, it houses the Chico Art Center, where exhibits, workshops, and creative energy now fill the space once bustling with travelers.
Outside, you’ll find a historic passenger railcar, fully restored and used for community events. (Though often referred to as a Cushman car, it is actually a Southern Pacific passenger or maintenance railcar, now repurposed for gatherings and celebrations.) It serves as a tangible link to the past, blending nostalgia with community spirit.
As you walk around the building, notice the old hasps and hinges still in use, and peek through the windows to spot the ticket office, nearly unchanged from the early 1900s. It’s a glimpse into the past—frozen in time, yet still alive with history.
The Upstairs Mystery
Above the main floor is a second story, once likely used as railroad offices or staff quarters. Today, it begs the question if the stairs are there, and the upper floor is accessible. One can only imagine what might remain—perhaps artifacts, ledgers, or worn floorboards telling their own stories. Restoring access could unveil forgotten pieces of Chico’s past, waiting patiently above.
Rolling Forward: North Valley Rail Service
Looking ahead, Chico’s train story is far from over. The North Valley Rail Project, led by the Butte County Association of Governments (BCAG), aims to establish daily passenger rail service between Chico and Sacramento. This proposed commuter line would serve students, workers, and travelers—helping to reduce highway traffic, promote sustainability, and strengthen regional ties.
Feasibility studies and community outreach are underway, and local support continues to grow. If successful, Chico could once again be a major regional rail hub, just as it was over a century ago.
Final Stop: Past and Future on the Rails
The Chico train station is more than a building—it’s a bridge across generations. From Bidwell-era dignitaries to modern commuters, from students of yesterday to artists of today, it continues to serve Chico in quiet, enduring ways. Whether you're standing on the platform, admiring its weathered woodwork, or imagining the stories that unfolded upstairs, one thing is clear: the journey of Chico’s train station is far from over. And the next chapter just might be arriving right on schedule.
These 23 albums were handed down to me like sacred texts by a man I only met once—Ludwig Von Plutonium, a time traveler dressed like a roadie for Klaus Schulze, who claimed to have seen every great performance in every dimension. He emerged from a haze of Nag Champa and static electricity behind a Tower Records dumpster, handed me a crumbling cassette case labeled 'DO NOT IGNORE,' and vanished. What was inside weren’t just albums—they were sonic blueprints for how the 1980s actually felt, not how they’re remembered. I’ve carried them with me ever since: through the dorms of CSU Chico, the dead air between mixtapes, and every all-night drive that needed rescuing. This isn’t a list. It’s a recovery effort. And if these records feel unfamiliar to you, that’s not your fault. But it is your responsibility now.
What follows are 23 albums that dismantle your sonic kindergarten and rebuild it into a cathedral of taste. If you’ve heard these before, good. If you haven’t, welcome to your reckoning.
1. Tones on Tail – Pop
The title is ironic. This isn’t pop. It’s a post-Bauhaus brain melt wrapped in danceable dread. Daniel Ash and company weren’t making hits—they were testing your limits. “Go!” is the sugar coating; the rest is pure psychedelic decay. You don’t “get into” this album. It gets into you.
Listen to the full album on YouTube
2. Violent Femmes – Voilent Femmes
The debut Violent Femmes album is what happens when teenage desperation, acoustic punk, and Catholic guilt get locked in a basement with a broken amp and no dinner—raw, bratty, and perfect. If you’ve never yelled “Add it up!” in a car with no AC, your adolescence was a waste. It’s not an album—it’s a confessional booth you slam shut behind you.
Listen to the full album on YouTube
3. Bauhaus – The Sky’s Gone Out
This isn’t an album. It’s a haunted house with better cheekbones. Bauhaus here goes fully operatic—Peter Murphy yelping like a Victorian banshee, guitars that clang like rusted gates, and song structures that feel like fever dreams. If you don’t find this thrilling, your blood pressure might be too low.
Listen to the full album on YouTube
4. Simple Minds – New Gold Dream (81/82/83/84)
New Gold Dream is where Simple Minds ditched their post-punk trench coat and showed up in a silk suit, shimmering and untouchable. Every track glows like it’s backlit by neon and ego—if this doesn’t make you believe in synthpop as religion, you're better off listening to Journey in a strip mall parking lot. This is spiritual armor for the beautifully disillusioned.
Listen to the full album on YouTube
5. Coil – Love’s Secret Domain
Coil doesn’t care if you like it. Coil wants to rearrange your chakras with beats made by ghosts on acid. Love’s Secret Domain is a pagan ritual disguised as an electronic album. It’s what happens when Crowley meets rave culture and leaves the party with your soul.
Listen to the full album on YouTube
6. Art of Noise – (Who's Afraid of) The Art of Noise?
Before sampling was cool—or legal—Art of Noise made dadaist pop out of orchestra hits, robotic squeals, and sound bites that feel like you're trapped in a sentient television. If you're confused, it's because this album is smarter than you. That’s not an insult. It’s a fact.
Listen to the full album on YouTube
7. Tangerine Dream – Poland: The Warsaw Concert
Poland is Tangerine Dream at their glacial, sequencer-worshipping peak—an East Bloc mind-melt where every synth line feels like divine judgment. If you don’t find transcendence in “Barbakane,” sell your turntable and take up knitting. This is music for people who know the difference between delay and decay and judge others accordingly.
Listen to the full album on YouTube
8. Big Audio Dynamite – This Is Big Audio Dynamite
Mick Jones, fresh off The Clash, invents the postmodern pop album. Part punk, part dub, part sampladelic chaos, this record is a collage of brilliance. If you think sampling started with the Beastie Boys, prepare to have your education violently corrected.
Listen to the full album on YouTube
9. Kraftwerk – Autobahn
You don’t listen to Autobahn. You surrender to it. The title track is 22 minutes of crystalline repetition that predates all modern electronic music. This isn’t a song. It’s a highway system for your soul. Recorded in the 70's but still savored to in the 80's.
Listen to the full album on YouTube
10. Bryan Ferry – Boys and Girls
Every note of this album wears cologne. Ferry whispers from the depths of some velvet lounge, seducing your ears with icy glamour. It’s not just stylish—it’s aspirational.
Listen to the full album on YouTube
11. David Sylvian – Gone to Earth
Sylvian isn’t singing to you. He’s channeling spiritual frequencies from some extra-dimensional chamber. The album shifts from ethereal songcraft to instrumental transcendence. If you don’t leave your body at least once during side two, you should try again.
Listen to the full album on YouTube
12. Talk Talk – Spirit of Eden
This is not music. It’s sacred space carved into silence and breath. Built from improvisation and emotional honesty, Spirit of Eden is the sound of a band dissolving boundaries. If you call it boring, you’re the problem.
Listen to the full album on YouTube
13. Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD) – Crush
You want hooks? They’re here. But they’re cloaked in pathos, synth washes, and a sincerity that should make your Spotify algorithm blush. “So In Love” could destroy you if you let it. Please let it.
Listen to the full album on YouTube
14. Yaz – Upstairs at Eric’s
Vince Clarke’s machines plus Alison Moyet’s voice equals raw, emotional synthpop perfection. Clarke builds cold architecture; Moyet burns it down with one verse. If you don’t feel something, you might be made of plastic.
Listen to the full album on YouTube
15. Kate Bush – The Sensual World
Bush reads Ulysses, rewrites it with myth, sensuality, and layers of vocal wonder. This is literature as sound. It’s not just her most adult album—it might be yours, too.
Listen to the full album on YouTube
16. Genesis – Duke
Post-Gabriel, pre-schlock, Genesis dropped one of their most cohesive, powerful albums. “Duke’s Travels/Duke’s End” is still some of the best progressive composition of the decade. If you wrote off Phil Collins, this album is your punishment.
Listen to the full album on YouTube
17. Cocteau Twins – Victorialand
No drums. No discernible lyrics. Just Elizabeth Fraser floating over Robin Guthrie's shimmering guitars. It’s not shoegaze. It’s dreamwave distilled into holy vapor.
Listen to the full album on YouTube
18. Dead Can Dance – The Serpent’s Egg
Lisa Gerrard doesn’t sing—she conjures. This album feels like a medieval cathedral breathing. It’s eerie, sacred, and utterly removed from time.
Listen to the full album on YouTube
19. Brian Eno – Apollo: Atmospheres and Soundtracks
Space music for people who read philosophy. Eno, with Daniel and Roger, creates weightless ambient compositions that feel like sunrise on the Moon. “An Ending (Ascent)” is proof that God has a synth.
Listen to the full album on YouTube
20. Peter Gabriel – Birdy (Soundtrack)
Gabriel strips down his songs into instrumental passages that sting like open wounds. This is the sound of trauma made melodic. The only soundtrack that makes your spine feel haunted.
Listen to the full album on YouTube
21. Roxy Music – Avalon
The final Roxy album is perfection wrapped in silk. Smooth, melancholic, and immaculate. It doesn’t want your attention. It assumes it. The sound of elegance giving its farewell speech.
Listen to the full album on YouTube
22. The Smiths – Meat is Murder
Forget The Queen is Dead. This is Morrissey at his most vicious and Marr at his most jagged. From animal rights fury to working-class gloom, this album punches with moral panic and jangled brilliance. If you don’t feel the weight of it, try again when you’re older.
Listen to the full album on YouTube
23. Japan – Tin Drum
Tin Drum is Japan at their most exquisitely aloof—pan-Asian art pop filtered through lacquered cheekbones and synths so precise they could file your taxes. If you don’t feel seduced and slightly intimidated, you’re not listening hard enough. It’s the sound of feeling everything, but only allowing yourself to raise one eyebrow.
Listen to the full album on YouTube
Final Word:
If you made it to the end, congrats. That means you’ve at least started the climb. You don’t have to like every album on this list—Ludwig certainly didn’t—but if you didn’t feel at least one existential shift, check your wiring. I’ll be parked at the edge of Upper Park with a cooler, a Walkman, and a box of Maxell tapes labeled “Vol. 2.” You’ll know it’s me when you hear Cocteau Twins echoing off the canyon walls. Don’t be late.