Original Pennsylvania Station's Concourse - Image Via Wikipedia
The great qualities of New York City's harbor had made it a center of trade since colonial times. The construction of the Erie Canal had permanently fixed New York City as America's greatest port. During the age of the railroads, countless lines were built crisscrossing all of America, yet aside from the New York Central, coming from upstate, Railroads coming from the west, through New Jersey could travel no further then the banks of the Hudson River. Several railroad terminals were eventually built in Hoboken and Jersey City. At this point passengers and freight had to be transferred to ferries in order to complete their journey to the Island of Manhattan.
Aerial View of Original Pennsylvania Station - Image Via Wikipedia
The famous Pennsylvania Railroads' terminus was at Exchange Place in Jersey City. The invention of electrified rail made possible the construction realistic underground tubes. Prior to electrified railroads, the steam and coal fumes from a steam train would have poisoned any travelers in an underground tunnel. Therefore in 1901, The railroad's president Alexander Cassatt announced plans to tunnel under the Hudson River and to build a grand station on the West Side of Manhattan, south of 34th Street.
Original Pennsylvania Station Facade - Image Via Wikipedia
Original Pennsylvania Station's Main Waiting Room - Image Via Wikipedia
The tunnels were successfully built and the famous architectural firm of Mckim, Meade and White were hired to design the new train terminal for the Pennsylvania Railroad, envisioned to compete with Grand Central Station. Pennsylvania Station was loosely based upon the Roman Baths of Carcalla. The magnificent structure was built of steel clad in pink granite. Corinthian columns were used on the facade. The structure occupied the entire area between 31st and 33rd Streets and 7th and 8th Avenue. The steel and glass vaulted interior's and train shed's were beautiful well detailed and. The building was truly a New York icon and in my opinion is was even more beautiful then it's legendary rival Grand Central Station.
Pennsylvania Station's Interior Today - Image Via Wikipedia
Sadly, with the rise of the automobile in the years following WW2, the Pennsylvania railroad was in financial trouble and was in and out of bankruptcy. In 1963 demolition of the Station began, in order to make way for the eye sore complex of Madison Square Garden and Penn Plaza. The granite facade was ripped down and thrown into swamps in New Jersey. Today Pennsylvania Station is shoved beneath Madison Square Garden. 600,000 passengers a day coming from Amtrack, New Jersey Transit, The Long Island Railroad and the New York City Subway are crammed into a windowless dark cavern.
Madison Square Garden Today - Image Via Wikipedia
The demolition of this grandly scaled elegant complex left a permanent scar on the psyche of New Yorkers. It's demolition did indeed help lead to the creation of the Landmark's Preservation Commission, so that no new crime of this magnitude could ever be committed again. It was said by famous Architectural Historian Vincent Scully, that "One entered the city like a god; one scuttles in now like a rat." The statement is the honest truth.
Posts
1 comments:
Your blog is really eye-catching and very good for viewers, if you want that every people should view your blog daily then submit your blog in blogerzoom.com for advertising and marketing. then see your effort is never wasted and you will enjoy a lot while blogging
Post a Comment