On May 29, 1909, the first steam-powered passenger train into Centerville received a big welcome. The Depot hosted passenger trains operating between Oakland, San Jose, Santa Cruz, Stockton, and Redwood City. Between 1910 and the early 1920s, the station served two or three daily milk trains. The Depot was used by residents to commute to work, out-of-towners visiting, and immigrants coming from the East. Southern Pacific retired the Depot on September 30, 1961.

On June 4, 1993, Fremont welcomed the return of passenger trains to the Station. In December, the City of Fremont acquired ownership of the Depot and began its restoration. Less than 12 of the 60 original depots between 1896 and 1916 exist today, and our Depot is the only one used in rail-passenger service.