County Landmark 1016
Duncans Mills Depot
23600 Moscow Road
Duncans Mills
Built 1907

Harvested timber was originally hauled to the mills by oxen. The narrow gauge railroad reached Duncans Mills in 1876 via a route that paralleled the coastline. While Duncans Mills remained the terminus of the North Pacific Coast Railroad until 1885, short line railroads were constructed throughout the region.

A standard gauge line reached the Russian River in 1909. In 1911 the Northwestern Pacific reached Duncans Mills from north, and the yard was retrofitted to accommodate both narrow and standard gauge trains.

The railroads facilitated the growth of tourism. The railroad company had been advertising its excursions to travelers from San Francisco since 1877. They traveled by ferry from San Francisco and departed from Sausalito by train, traveling up the coast through San Rafael, Point Reyes, Valley Ford and Occidental, and along the River from Monte Rio to Duncans Mills. Until 1885 they would depart from the train and continue to points north via stage.

Early 20th century directories show that among the common professions in Duncans Mills were railroad worker, mill worker, teamster, blacksmith, and woodsman. By the 1920s, mill worker was a less common occupation.

The railroad’s days were numbered not only by the decline of logging, but by the rise of the automobile which by the 1920s was the primary source of travel to the Russian River. The narrow gauge was discontinued in 1926 and the Northwestern Pacific the standard gauge line was discontinued in 1935.

The existing depot was built in 1907 and won the outstanding restoration for the State of California in 1971. Although the depot museum is often closed, you can always view restored Northwestern Pacific railway narrow gauge cars.

In 1976, the California Department of Parks and Recreation built an office building in the style of the historic depot to house the Russian River Sector Office of the Sonoma-Mendocino Coast District.

Duncans Mills Depot and the caboose contribute to the Duncans Mills Historic District. The Parks and Recreation building does not contribute to the historic district.