Callowhill Depot is a bus and trolley barn operated by SEPTA, located in West Philadelphia, near the Delaware County border. It was built in 1913 by the Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company (PRT) and was later operated by the Philadelphia Transportation Company (PTC) before being taken over by SEPTA. The depot was constructed as part of the Thomas E. Mitten modernization program. Since its construction, the depot has suffered fire damage and reconstruction in 1949, 1950, and 1995.
The Callowhill Depot is located in the heart of West Philadelphia, located on the southwest corner of the 5900 block of Callowhill Street with the bus and trolley bays across the street. The depot is surrounded by 59th, Vine, 58th, and Callowhill Streets. Callowhill Depot was an all-trolley depot until May 28, 1955, when Route 70 (52nd Street Line) was converted to bus operation. Callowhill Depot was the base of all streetcar routes that operated in West Philadelphia, until National City Lines converted most of them to buses.
The depot is accessible only to SEPTA employees, however, transit enthusiasts often photograph streetcars pulling in and out. For safety reasons, SEPTA Transit Police will stop and question anyone found on the property without reason or authorization.
Callowhill Depot is home to two SEPTA trolley routes and 11 bus routes. The depot's trolley bays are 2, 3 and 4. Bay 2 is the rail shop, bay 3 is used by Route 10, and bay 4 is used by Route 15. These routes all operate in West Philadelphia, with their eastern terminus being either in downtown Center City Philadelphia or North Philadelphia.
Routes operated include: