andresalvador : photos : UNION STATION, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA- powered by SmugMug

andre' salvador
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Union Station, built in 1939, is considered to be "The last of America's great rail stations." Located in Downtown Los Angeles on 800 N. Alameda St., between the Santa Ana Freeway (US 101) and Cesar E. Chavez Avenue (Formerly Macy St.), this was, is and will be the home of Los Angeles transportation - past, present and future.

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andresalvador > The Union Station was built with the cooperation of the region's three principal railroads, the Union Pacific Railroad, the Southern Pacific Railroad and the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. This station was the transportation gateway into Los Angeles, years before there was an airport. The 1940s saw the heyday of the railroad era, as movie stars and soldiers' alike arrived in or left this city through the station's platforms.

However, in the 1970s, passenger rail travel had given way to the airplane and the automobile, and Amtrak was formed as a result of the railroads' dwindling passenger service.

This photo was taken from the 1812 Avila Adobe Townhouse across the street

andresalvador > Partial front elevation, the door on the far right hand side is the main entrance that leads to the lobby. The two visible doors on the left leads to the old train ticketing office.

Today, Union Station is truly unified, with intercity Amtrak service, commuter Metrolink, subway Metrorail, several local transit bus lines including the MTA, and downtown DASH shuttles.

andresalvador > The main entrance to the station, facing Alameda Street.

andresalvador > A close-up of the entrance.

This Union Station, built in 1939 is a grand railroad passenger terminal and the last of its kind to be built in the United States. The exterior is a successful merging of Spanish Mission, Moorish, and Streamline Modern Styles. This station is often used as a movie location.

andresalvador > this is the fountain wall on one side of the building enclosing the formal landscape design. This is an outdoor seating area right across the indoor waiting area.

andresalvador > A closer view of the fountain. the design of which is a cross between Spanish and Moorish lines.

andresalvador > Another view of the fountain wall.

andresalvador > The waiting room area. The main entrance door can be seen beyond. The original wood beams and wood rafters have been preserved.

andresalvador > A closer look at the waiting area ceiling. Those pendant lights are the original lighting.

The Union Station was built with the cooperation of the region's three principal railroads, the Union Pacific Railroad, the Southern Pacific Railroad and the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. This station was the transportation gateway into Los Angeles, years before there was an airport. The 1940s saw the heyday of the railroad era, as movie stars and soldiers' alike arrived in or left this city through the station's platforms.

However, in the 1970s, passenger rail travel had given way to the airplane and the automobile, and Amtrak was formed as a result of the railroads' dwindling passenger service.

This photo was taken from the 1812 Avila Adobe Townhouse across the street