01 October, 2009

All Aboard-Saint Louis Union Station-Skywatch Post for October 2, 2009

Today, I am sharing some more of my recent visit in August to St. Louis with you. Hope you enjoy.

St. Louis Union Station, a National Historic Landmark, is a former passenger train terminal in St. Louis, Missouri. Once the world's largest and busiest train station, it was converted in the early 1980s into a luxury hotel, shopping center, and entertainment complex. Today, it is one of the city's major tourist attractions and an easy trek on the Metro from downtown. (please click on photographs to enlarge them)

Union Station's headhouse and midway are constructed of Indiana limestone and initially included 32 tracks under its vast trainshed terminating in the stub-end terminal.

At its height, the station combined the St. Louis passenger services of 22 railroads. At its opening, it was the world's largest and busiest railroad station and its trainshed was the largest roof span in the world. In 1903, the station was expanded to accommodate visitors to the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair.


In the 1940s, it handled 100,000 passengers a day. The famous photograph of Harry S. Truman holding aloft the erroneous Chicago Tribune headline, "Dewey Defeats Truman," was shot at the station as Truman headed back to Washington, DC from Independence, Missouri after the 1948 Presidential election.

As railroad passenger services declined in the 1950s and 1960s, the massive station became obsolete and too expensive to maintain for its original purpose. With the takeover of national rail passenger service by Amtrak in 1971, passenger train service to St. Louis was reduced to only three trains a day. In 1978, the last train left St. Louis Union Station. Amtrak trains are now located one block to the east in St. Louis' Gateway Transportation Center which houses Amtrak, Greyhound Buses, and inner city Metro Buses and subway and rail.

I will post more photographs in the future of the area that was once the trainshed and housed the tracks that now has restaurants and shops . The Metro rail drops you off across the street and many a sports fan stops off here prior to sporting events. The day we visited there was an early afternoon Cardinal baseball game and many of their avid fans were stopping off for lunch. Busch Stadium is located two stops down the line toward downtown.

For more spectacular and unusual SKYWATCH posts do stop by. Click on this link and you will be whisked away to all of the other participants this week - SKYWATCH.

29 comments:

James said...

That is such a beautiful old building. Your photos are excellent. I would have a field day with my camera.

Daryl said...

It reminded me of Venice and St Mark'sCampanile (Bell Tower)... thank you for sharing these, I've never been ti St Louis but now I can say I've seen some of its most interesting sights

Sylvia K said...

Fantastic shots! Love the old train station! And what an interesting history it has! Terrific post as always!

Have a great weekend!

Sylvia

http://graceolsson.com/blog said...

HI, HOW ARE U?
I think so taht now its the first time here and adored..and I want to come back very soon..great shot, dear
have a nice evening
http://graceolsson.com/blog/2009/10/lago-bohinj-slovenija-lake-bohinj-slovenia/

annalarssonphotography said...

Great shots and post!
Have a nice weekend :)

Guy D said...

Fantastic perspectives of an gorgeous building, excellent work.

Have a great weekend
Guy
Regina In Pictures

VALKYRIEN said...

Love old buildings like this. And you show them off in the most beautiful way! And a lovely summer sky - just perfect.

Carol said...

Great photos...and a very interesting post..

Barb said...

Hi Erin, Enjoyed your history lesson and the architectural photos. That red roof against the blue sky is awesome! Old buildings with their turrets and curves are so appealing.

Janie said...

Beautiful old building and great photos with a lovely blue sky behind it all.

Perry said...

Great shots and history lesson. I like the shots of the tower all the way to the ground, including at least some of the station. I think it grounds the tower visually. (I'll have to remember that in *my* tower shots.) And if you don't mind feedback on what does not work for me.... The vignetting is a little strong, eroding part of the point of interest, tower, and just a little strong on the sky itself. Just my $.02...... Good Job!

earthtoholly said...

What a gorgeous building. We were in St. Louis a few years ago, but didn't venture too far from the Gateway Arch. Maybe next time... Happy SWF and have a great weekend!

Photo Cache said...

thanks for the tour. enjoy your friday.

Michelle said...

Beautiful shot!

~One Crafty Mama

Viola said...

Many beautiful photos of the different buildnings! :)

Viola said...

.... in a different view of the SAME buildning, I meant ;)

eileeninmd said...

Great photos of St Louis and thanks for sharing your skywatch!

Ebie said...

Some great shoes of your trip. Love the architecture of the buildings.

Anonymous said...

I love all the history you include with your posts. And your photos are always wonderful too!

Lew said...

That's a great sky shot with the tower! Interesting info on the old train station and how travel used to be.

Regina said...

Great captures Erin.
Enjoy the weekend

Artlover said...

Great shot. I like the angles from them.
http://artlover-mittlivibilder.blogspot.com/2009/10/skywatch-friday-look-at-stars-so-far.html

Lavender and Vanilla Friends of the Gardens said...

That is or better was one beautiful train station. Travelling by train was sort of so sophisticated and exiting especially when it also included restaurant- and sleeper wagons. I still love to travel by train! Great pictures. This train station looks rather like a castle and one can see the important role it had in St.Louis.

Unseen India Tours said...

Some really beautiful and lovely shots !! SImply great,Unseen Rajasthan

Angels in my life said...

The combination is fabulous...great photo...loved it..thanks for sharing...

Supernova said...

wow that is a very old building.. love the historic train...

SandyCarlson said...

That is a gorgeous station. You take me to a different time and place. Thanks.

Merisi said...

The curve of the building visible to the right in the first picture reminds me of architect Frank Gehry's more recent creations.

How wonderful when older landmarks can be saved!

MedaM said...

This train station looks like a castle. Impressive, indeed! Fantastic post!