After six years of demolition (of the original Chinatown) and construction, Los Angeles’ new Union Railway Station (technically its name is the Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal) opened on May 3, 1939. This photo is also from 1939, so the Angelenos seen here waiting for their train in the main concourse might have been experiencing it for the first time. It’s one of my favorite places in LA because it largely looks the same now as it did then. With all that hustle and bustle, it’s also amazingly quiet, thanks to special sound-absorbing panels attached to the walls. Quite frankly, I know some restaurants who could do with installing them.
The auto-colorizer did a pretty job bringing this image to life.
What and where was the main train station prior to 1939? Any photo’s of that station?
It was called *Union* station because it *united* the three main railway companies under one roof. Before that, each line had its own station on the outskirts of downtown LA.
Central Station was built by Southern Pacific to replace Arcade Station. Union Pacific moved there as a second partner, leaving the old Salt Lake Depot on the east bank of the Los Angeles River (built for Los Angeles, San Pedro & Salt Lake RR and predecessors). On the west bank opposite, sat the Santa Fe Route’s La Grande Station that was used up to the move to LAUPT (a stub-end terminal rather than a pass through station or depot). Plenty of photos exist, but many detail or interior views are recorded only in old film footage as these were favorite locations of early Hollywood. IIRC, Harold Lloyd got some of the inside area of La Grande. I have never seen any earlier station restaurant area interiors in or out of useage…that would be a find.
Thanks, Al. I wasn’t aware of that.
BTW…The view in this shot is looking toward the track tunnels and baggage areas with your back toward the front entryways (interior arch is above your head).
Hi Martin. I read your postings every day. Thanks so much for bringing “Old LA” back to life. I love Union Station also, partly because my Grandfather and his brothers did the marble and stone work there. The marble mosaic pattern down the middle of the concourse is my favorite. Next time you visit there, notice that some of the pieces are much more warn than others. This is because they are Travertine, and not marble. Travertine is a beautiful, but soft, stone and subject to wearing down over time. I have heard, over the years, many interesting stories about the work on Union Station. When I was a child, my Father would often take our Family to Alvera Street in the evening, for really great Mexican food. We would then walk over to the station and Dad would show us some of the marble and stone work that Grandpa and his brothers had done. Good memories!!
Oh wow, Richard, so members of your family actually did the stone work there! Impressive! Thanks for sharing that with us. (And I’m glad to hear you’re still enjoying my varied online musings.)
What wonderful memories, Richard!
Just one minor correction — Olvera Street. ?