RETRO FILES / THE MANY LIVES OF THE KANSAS CITY TRAIN DEPOT

Original rendering for 1914 Union Station, Kansas City, MO

ALL ABOARD--What are the odds against a century old train depot in the heart of America surviving decrepitude and returning to its former days of glory as a working train station serving the needs of Kansas City commuters?

That’s the story of the Kansas City Train Depot.

Built in 1914, Union Station opens her arms with 850,000 square feet of amazing space that originally featured 900 rooms. In her prime as a working train station, she accommodated hundreds of thousands of passengers each year.

1914

During WWII, an estimated one million travelers – many of them soldiers -- passed through the Station. The North Waiting Room (now Sprint Festival Plaza) held 10,000 people and the complex included restaurants, a cigar store, barber shop, railroad offices, the nation's largest Railway Express Building (used for shipping freight and mail) as well as a powerhouse providing steam and power.  So many stories of farewells, reunions and of day-to-day vibrancy still echo in her walls. 

LATE 1930s

Closed in the 1980s, the Station sat empty and neglected, narrowly escaping demolition on several occasions. Then, in 1996, a historic bi-state initiative was passed to fund the Station's renovation, which was completed in grand fashion in 1999.

Union Station is once again a majestic and desired destination for our surrounding communities.  She is at once, magical, warm, casual, elegant, full of surprises and wise from experience but young at heart.

TODAY

Union Station draws tourists from all over the world who marvel at her Grand Hall's 95-foot ceiling, three 3,500-pound chandeliers and the six-foot wide clock hanging in her central arch.  She wakes up early and stays up late to host business meetings, recognition events, weddings and parties of all sorts.

Just as you could 100 years ago, you can still catch the train at Union Station's AMTRAK stop and head out across the country.

The 100 year old Union Station is a now a hub of culture, education, and entertainment. Visit traveling national exhibits, 3D movies on the Extreme Screen, or explore our world in Science City, or enjoy a cup of coffee or a special meal in this beautiful, historic building. Union Station has something for everyone in the family.

Union Station served as a rallying point for the Royals baseball team's World Series victory celebration last month.

SOURCE: www.UnionStation.org