The Ocean Shore Railway Station
Click Here For A Full Size Picture or From the Side

This station served as the main passenger depot for Half Moon Bay from 1908 to 1920. It was located east of the tracks and south of Kelly Avenue near present day Francis State Beach. The trains were often met by horse drawn carts from the Mosconi Hotel to take passengers to town. We are fortunate to have a hand drawn plan of the station during the time of the Ocean Shore that currently resides in the Special Collections of Stanford University. About 1912 there was a state law that required an inventory of all railroad owned property to determine tax assessments. Field surveyors travelled the length of the line and took notes on all company owned stations. They would skip any stations that they knew to be owned by someone other than the railroad. For example the spectacular North Granada station was not company owned and was skipped. The Half Moon Bay station was not company owned but fortunately the surveyors did not realize this when they arrived there and took extensive notes. The station was divided into three rooms. Facing the front of the building on the left was the passenger waiting room. This had double doors on the front and 6 windows. The center room was the office with the ticket selling windows to the front. On the right was the baggage room with double doors on the front and no windows indicated. It was noted that the station was painted but unfortunately the color was not mentioned.

The ownership of the station and land can be guessed from a letter Supervisor Joseph M. Francis of Half Moon Bay wrote to Edward Fitzpatrick on August 5, 1909. Alvin S. Hatch intended to deed the lots and improvements to the Ocean Shore Railway "with the understanding that the O.S. Ry. Co. always have an agent at Kelly Ave. Station and all trains stop at Kelly Ave. and that they maintain the station and at any time that the R. R. Co. fail to comply with the above agreement the property is to divert back to the Public School Fund of Halfmoon Bay." A track survey map currently in the San Mateo County Historical Museum indicates that the deed to the Ocean Shore was recorded August 4, 1913.

The Ocean Shore closed down for good in August 1920. It appears that the station was moved more that one time. Half Moon Bay resident Steve Ponce was interviewed for a College of San Mateo student report by Clinton T. Miller about 1968. Based on this interview the report states: "...they had it moved to the corner of Kelly Avenue and Main Street in the heart of Half Moon Bay. Some years later this corner was sold to the Bank of America, so again the station was moved. This final move was to the corner of Johnston and Miramontes Streets where the station was attached to the rear of the Community Methodist Church..." A photo of Half Moon Bay about 1924 shows the entire intersection of Kelly and Main. On the southeast corner is the Bank building that is now City Hall. Behind it to the east is a building that clearly resembles the train station. (See Photo). Perhaps some other long time residents have a recollection of this. About 1930 it was moved to the church. It may be during this time that the building was enlarged to the rear. Again we appeal to residents' memories. In August 2000 it was moved to the present location near the Johnston House. 

James G. Nourse