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From sublime to schlock
Nice (and exasperating) then-and-now series: Demolished! 11 Beautiful Train Stations That Fell To The Wrecking Ball (And The Crappy Stuff Built In Their Place). Particularly galling are the Chicago examples of Grand Central Station and the Illinois Central Depot (pictured above), both of which were demolished decades ago for vacant lots (in the South Loop at Harrison & Wells and Roosevelt & Lake Shore Drive, respectively) which still remain undeveloped. The Chicago and Northwestern Station was a great loss, too, though at least there somebody bothered to build something (albeit something hideous) in its place. In retrospect, it's a minor miracle that Dearborn Station is still standing.
(Via Boing Boing.)
June 30, 2009 in Chicago Observations | Permalink
Comments
My experience with these is not extensive. I know of the saved train stations in St. Louis and Kansas City. I'm glad the grand old structures survived, but I think it's pathetic the use they've been put to. They're pretty much just glorified shopping malls. (And not very successful ones either.) I don't know what the solution is however.
Posted by: Paul Lamb at Jun 30, 2009 5:40:30 PM
Well, if high-speed rail ever becomes a reality, the old train routes will likely be revitalized, so maybe the old stations will once again become sought-after destinations. I've heard that Union Station in Chicago is being planned as just such a high-speed rail hub.
Posted by: Pete at Jul 1, 2009 9:00:30 AM
