Originally located four blocks southeast of this site, Shafter Depot opened and was dedicated on October 11, 1917. Until it closed in 1978, it served as Shafter’s gateway to the world, with mail, Western Union Telegraph, express, freight, and rail passengers passing through its doors. Concern for preserving the building led to the formation of the Shafter Historical Society in July 1979. In March 1980, the society accepted the depot as a gift from the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway Co. and moved it to this site, which was donated by the Harlin Wilson family and the S.A. Camp Ginning Co. With broad public support, the society restored the building to its original form and dedicated it on October 9, 1982, for many more years of service as the Shafter Museum. The property has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of Interior.