Union Station Steeped in History
If you love history and architecture, you can't go wrong with a visit to Union Station. If you love shopping and fine food, well, you still can't go wrong with a visit to this top attraction. There's something for everyone, so load the family in the Ford Expedition and truck them Market Street.
From its magnificent 65-foot, barrel-vaulted ceiling in the Grand Hall to its Victorian-engineered train shed totaling more than 11 acres, St. Louis Union Station remains one of our nation's true architectural "gems." Built at a cost of $6.5 million in the 1890s St. Louis Union Station was designed by German-born architect Theodore C. Link of St. Louis who won the prized project in a nationwide contest. In the early 1980s, the Station underwent a $150 million restoration.
A most impressive feature of the Grand Hall is the "Allegorical Window," a hand-made stained glass window with hand-cut Tiffany glass strategically positioned above the Station's main entryway. The window features three women representing the main U.S. train stations during the 1890s -- New York, St. Louis and San Francisco.
The Second main area, The Midway, once serviced more than 100,000 rail passengers a day. The 610-foot-long and 70-foot-wide concourse was connected to the massive Train Shed, where passengers lined up to board trains through one of 32 boarding gates. The Midway was constructed with a light steel trussed roof of glass and iron. Today it serves as a passageway filled with an array of shops and restaurants.
The Train Shed, 11.5 acres of sweeping arches, was the largest single-span train shed ever constructed. It once covered the greatest number of train tracks (32) than any other station in the nation. The Shed currently houses retail and restaurant facilities, a portion of the Marriott Hotel, the lake, event and parking areas.
The "Memories Museum," founded as a joint venture by St. Louis Station Associates and the Museum of Transportation, is dedicated to preserving the rich history of St. Louis Union Station, the railroads that served it and the people who experienced the romance of rail travel.
The Museum is free to the general public and is open during St. Louis Union Station's operating hours.
Union Station is located just west of Downtown St. Louis at 1920 Market Street. For information on hours and events you can call (314) 421-6655.
