The History of Penn Station, New York

Beginnings

• Penn Station was first built in 1910 by McKim, Mead and White architectural firm. The building was the largest one created for railroad travel and was commissioned by Pennsylvania Railroad President Alexander Cassatt. The original structure was over eight acres and was located between 31st and 33rd streets and 7th and 8th avenues. The waiting room was designed in the style of the Roman Baths of Caracalla and the Basilica of Constantine.

Early Construction Features

• When Penn Station first opened, the concourse where the trains entered and departed was left open, so people could watch them from the waiting room area. Later on, the third rail was removed from the station and in its place wires were installed overhead. As a result, the floor area was extended to cover parts of the track. Therefore, people could no longer watch the trains arrive and depart.

The Decline

• During the World War II era, the great Penn Station began its decline. The station was not properly maintained and it became dirty. Additionally, there was a movement of people from the city to the suburbs, so railway transportation was not as popular or as necessary as it once was. People also preferred to travel via car or airplane.

Destruction

• In 1964, Penn Station was torn down. Although some regarded it as absolutely necessary, according to New Penn Station, The New York Times wrote, "Until the first blow fell, no one was convinced that Penn Station really would be demolished, or that New York would permit this monumental act of vandalism against one of the largest and finest landmarks of its age of Roman elegance."

New Penn Station

• There is not as much hype about the new Penn Station, built in 1968, as there was about the old one. Although most of the old building is totally demolished, some traces can still be found in the brass banisters, tiled arches, hand-painted subway signs and glass bricks in the baggage area. In the 1990s, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority took steps to revitalize the space by cleaning up the mess, creating better station systems and improving the waiting and concession areas.