Sunday, January 9, 2011

Something On A Sunday

Union Station Hotel 02.20.10

Some years ago this was a working railway station. The Union Station was opened in 1900 and provides an example of late Victorian Romanesque Revival architecture. It once provided a stop for the Amtrak Floridian train service. My father and I once took a trip aboard the Floridian in 1970; one of my few trips on an overnight train and still a fond memory. When Amtrak ceased services in 1979, the station was shuttered, providing services only to a growing number of pigeons. Union Station was restored and opened as a hotel in 1986.

It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1977.

3 comments:

gerrie said...

I too have fond memories of Union Station. I made several trips to Battle Creek Michigan that originated from this spot, and my grandparents came down south to visit me via train as well. Like so many other train stations in our country, Union Station has been preserved and used for offices, restaurants and the like. It's beautiful, but I miss the station in its original state. And, oh to be able to travel to Battle Creek once again by train, via Union Station!

Greg said...

Honey I agree, would love to have passenger service running through Nashville again, not only to Battle Creek or Florida (the Floridian ran through Orlando), but also to Chicago. From there we could connect for that train trip out west we've been thinking about.

Nancy said...

I really wish Amtrack would run through here again. It would be fun to take it once in awhile. Especially when I go to Battle Creek.