Old Penn Station

Old Penn Station follows a very specific piece of New York City history. The author's research carefully addresses the whole history of the building, from construction to destruction, ending with an acknowledgment of its lasting legacy.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• penn
• station
• nyc
• new
• york
• city
• trains

[NYbeerdude]

The existing penn station is a terrorists dream. I just take my train and get the hell out of that place. The criminals that destroyed penn station should be dragged out into the street and shot. I never even knew until about 5 years ago that there was a real station there (I was born 1980). Unimaginable how the destroyed it. It would be like India demolishing the Taj Mahal for a walmart. The stupidity just blows the mind.

[emulb2001]

The New York Times wrote; "Until the first blow fell, no one was convinced that Penn Station really would be demolished, or that New York would permit this monumental act of vandalism against one of the largest and finest landmarks in New York. Its destruction left a deep and lasting wound in the architectural consciousness of the city."

[atomicgirlnyc]

I guess the point I'm trying to make is that we can experience sadness over the loss of Penn Station without getting hysterical and painting an over-simplistic view of what happened. I've read up on this whole story and learned that as much as I wish desperately for it to have been saved, I really can't imagine how it could've been at the time unless philanthropists donated towards its upkeep or NYers gave up a share of their taxes to maintain it.

[atomicgirlnyc]

It was losing millions annually because ppl were dropping rail for planes and airline travel. If Penn RR had kept the station for "preservation's sake" it would've gone bankrupt sooner than it did and sold off the building to the highest bidder, who would've still torn it down (since it was a huge eyesore and too costly to maintain). Had the city taken over, the station would've been doomed in the 70s when it nearly went bankrupt and become another Michigan Central Depot.

[atomicgirlnyc]

Even though it's sad that Penn Station was torn down, the picture that ppl are painting of its demise is false. Everyone keeps thinking that back in the '60s it was this gleaming white building in its prime, greedily torn down by evil ppl who could've saved it. It wasn't and they couldn't. By then it was a shadow of its former self, a run down grimy, blackened eyesore that its owners couldn't afford to take care of anymore.

[Darthbelal]

The old Penn Station, from I've seen in photos, was one of NYC's jewels, the new Penn Station is a wart. I've been to Penn and it's cramped, garish monument to kitsch modern construction.

If YOU visit NYC, make an effort to see Grand Central to get an idea what was lost when the old Penn Station was destroyed. Modern buildings are constructed on the cheap and places like Grand Central just aren't built anymore, dammit.

[TheDuckseason]

Nicely done ......

[MrEnjoy1972]

Wow. Will look up that book asap. I am VERY sad that they are also going to tear down Hotel Penn. Shame, shame, shame!!!

Greets from Frankfurt/Germany

[UomoSnsual]

I remember taking a field trip in 3rd grade to see Penn Station prior to its demolition. I was too young to appreciate the tragedy of what was about to take place. Years later, as a LIRR commuter, I also came to despise the rat hole that Penn Station had become.  My commutes would start in Hicksville, where one of the station's original eagles remains. My fahtasy is that If I had billions of dollars, I'd tear down Madison Square Garden and rebuild Penn Station.

[OofusTwillip]

Destroying that grand old station is typical of the stupidity that's rampant in so many North American cities.

Toronto, Canada is another city that's notorious for destroying either deliberately or by wilful neglect (which leads to collapse and arson), so many beautiful historical buildings. If it costs money to preserve it, or money can be made by selling it to be demolished to make way for a condo tower or ugly "modern" building, then it's doomed.

[OSTARAEB4]

It was a colossal crime of one of the biggest tragedies in New York history, but American as well. The current Penn Station for the past 4- 1/2 decades is a nauseating rat hole. Other archetectural crimes in New York history was the destruction of the original facade of the Times Building, the demo ofAstor and Claridge Hotel in Times Square, the later with the steam blowing out for the cigarette ads of the 30's-60's."The Destruction of Penn Station" covers this tragedy with pics from 1962-1965.

[slicingwater]

8th Avenue Penn Station is Awesome. puts you right at the Post office and Madison Square Garden