The Santa Fe Reading Room built in approximately 1900 is the only remaining structure from the early days of the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroad yards in Richmond. Santa Fe once built and maintained “reading rooms” for their employees in every major town along their routes to serve as community centers for employees and provide a healthy diversion to compete with the local bars. Tom Butt, FAIA, President of Interactive Resources, has been working in his capacity as a Richmond City Council member to save the structure from demolition for almost 15 years. That goal was finally achieved in 2005 when the structure was moved to a location in the Point Richmond Historic District, where it will become part of a Gateway Park and is occupied by Mechanics Bank.
Interactive Resources contributed architecture and engineering services for the relocation, redevelopment and preservation of this historically significant building. The fully restored building may function as a Visitor’s Center, Bay Area Trail “Richmond Headquarters,” a venue for private parties and community events or meetings, exhibit space for historical Richmond materials and/or related commercial activities.
