Leland Stanford: The Railroad, the Hotel, and his Battle for Pacoima

From Grand Hotel to Ghost Dream: Pacoima’s Turbulent Beginning

Pacoima’s early future was shaped by the Southern Pacific Railroad—and by Leland Stanford, the railroad magnate, former California governor, U.S. Senator, and founder of Stanford University.

In 1888, Stanford began building the impressive Pacoima Hotel at Third Street and Taylor Avenue, now Van Nuys Boulevard. The hotel hosted legislators and prominent visitors, and local accounts recall President Benjamin Harrison speaking from the nearby train platform.

But Stanford’s plan to build a locomotive roundhouse in Pacoima created a major conflict. Residents opposed the smoke, noise, railroad workers, and industrial activity they believed would threaten their new residential community and lower property values.

President Benjamin Harrison speaks from Southern Pacific train platform near the Pacoima Hotel.

In response, Stanford reportedly had the Pacoima Hotel dismantled board by board—chandeliers and all—and shipped away by rail. The loss of the hotel was a major blow to Pacoima’s hopes of becoming an elite railroad-centered town.

Soon afterward, the Southern California land boom collapsed. Developer Jouette Allen’s investments, civic improvements, and dream for Pacoima began to unravel. His home burned in 1889; he left California, and devastating floods in 1891 destroyed much of the young community.

Pacoima’s story is one of big dreams, railroad power, land speculation, conflict, and resilience. Even after economic collapse, fire, and flood, the community endured and rebuilt.

For the full story of Pacoima’s progress and challenges after statehood, check out Valley Chronicles: Told & Untold Stories of the San Fernando Valley, available on Amazon and signed copies here.