We checked out Union Station in downtown LA today. The LA landmark opened in 1939 and is considered one of the last great American railway stations. Today, it is a far cry from being a bustling railway station, but architecturally speaking, it is lovely. I spotted Spanish, Moorish and Art Deco influences-- all of which blended together very nicely.
The station originally served the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, Southern Pacific Railroad, and Union Pacific Railroad, as well as the Pacific Electric Railway and Los Angeles Railway (LARy). Established on the site of L.A.'s first Chinatown, it saw heavy use during World War II, but later saw declining patronage due to the growing popularity of air travel and automobiles.From Wiki (emphasis added). Click here for more on Union Station and here for LA's Chinatown.
3 comments:
I love Union Station! I wish more transportation hubs looked that great.
I use to go sit there with friends and sketch while in college (after eating mexican food at Olivera). Sitting there always feels like you've been transported back in time.
Have a 9 cent cup of coffee from Philippe's across the street and your travel back in time is complete!!
Wow, that ceiling is a little wierd for a train station. It looks like something from a church. Or ski lodge.
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