The Orange Cove Santa Fe Railway Depot's significance ascribes to the contribution the facility made over the years to the commercial and agricultural development of the San Joaquin Valley. The depot is typical of those constructed by the Santa Fe Railroad during the early 1900s. These facilities primarily served the agricultural, domestic and commercial needs of the area. However, it appears to differ from most other similar Depots constructed during the period in two respects. First, it was regarded as the "Finest Depot on the New Line" (C E Dixon, Visalia Times Delta, May 14, 191^), and second, it remained in operation longer than most, October 1^, 1976 (Bicentennial year). It is one of the few remaining early Depots of its class. It provided the foundation of future development of the City of Orange Cove. The subdivision of lots which now make up the City occurred within two years after the depot's completion. It provided early residents with a reliable transportation and telegraph system. Early freight service (1913) "exceeded those of any other point on the Line" (ibid) . Its original construction cost was $8,000. The following is offered with respect to the areas of significance the structure played in the development of Orange Cove during the early part of the century. - NRHP