Well, let me tell ya ’bout this place called St. Louis Union Station. Now, don’t be fooled, this ain’t just some regular old train station. This place is somethin’ special, like a big ol’ treasure chest full of history, full of stories, full of secrets that go way back. It all started way back in the 1800s, somewhere around 1894 or so, when they started puttin’ it together. And boy, did they make it grand! It’s like they tried to pack all the fancy stuff they could find into one spot. Big ol’ arches, high ceilings, fancy stonework—just a whole lotta things to look at!
The station itself, built in that fancy Romanesque style, was designed by a fella named Theodore Link. I reckon he wanted it to be the best station in the whole wide world, and it sure looks the part. They used Bedford Stone for most of the buildin’, and it’s been standin’ strong all these years. It’s even got a big ol’ Gothic Corridor that’s somethin’ else to behold! You step in there and you can almost feel the ghosts of old trains and travelers that passed through it all them years ago.
Now, lemme tell ya, this station ain’t just for lookin’. It’s been used for all sorts of things over the years. Back when it was first built, it was a big deal for folks travellin’ across the country. They say it was the most important transportation hub around, connectin’ St. Louis to all sorts of far-flung places. But then, like many things, times changed. The trains stopped comin’ and the station was left empty for a spell.
But don’t go thinkin’ that’s the end of the story. Nope! In the 1980s, they decided to bring the station back to life. Spent a heap of money fixin’ it up—around $150 million, to be exact. They turned it into a hotel with fancy rooms and even a shopping center. Now, folks come from all over to see the place, stay there, and take in all the history. The Grand Hall, that big ol’ room with the fancy ceiling, has become a real attraction. They’ve got light shows now that make the flowers on the ceiling sway and fireworks burst all around. Ain’t that somethin’!
But what really gets me about the station is that Gothic Corridor. It’s just like somethin’ outta a storybook. It’s long and dark, with those big arches that make you feel like you’re walkin’ through an old cathedral. The light’s all dim and mysterious, and you can almost hear the echo of footsteps from days gone by. Some folks say it’s spooky, but I think it’s just got a special kind of charm. When you walk through it, you can just tell that the station’s been through a lot, and yet it still stands tall, ready for the next chapter of its story.
The whole place is still a big part of St. Louis today. You can stay in the hotel, shop around, and even catch a glimpse of the history that’s still tucked away in every corner. They’ve got all kinds of events and weddings goin’ on there too, with the Grand Hall makin’ a perfect backdrop for any occasion. If you’re ever in St. Louis, you best make sure to take a trip down to the Union Station, especially if you’ve got a hankerin’ for a taste of the old days. You won’t be disappointed, I promise ya that.
So, there you go. That’s the story of the St. Louis Union Station and its Gothic Corridor. A place that’s seen it all—trains comin’ and goin’, people laughin’ and cryin’, and the city of St. Louis growin’ right up around it. Ain’t no other place quite like it!
Tags:[St. Louis, Union Station, Gothic Corridor, history, Grand Hall, architecture, St. Louis landmarks, train station history, St. Louis attractions, historical buildings, St. Louis tourism]