Historic Name

Union Station

Address

123 W 14 St

Municipality

City of Erie

Tax Parcel

16030007020100

Historic District

Classification

Class 1 (Definitions of Classes)

State Key Number

aaaaaa

Historic Function

Transportation - rail-related

Style

Built

1927

Architect

Builder

Barn Type on property

Last Entry Update

8/17/2016

Architects Alfred T. Fellheimer and Steward Wagner constructed Union Station in the mid-1920s as a replacement for the preexisting Union Depot, which was located on the same site and operated from 1865 to 1925. Union Station was dedicated and opened to the public on December 3, 1927. The station was commissioned by the New York Central Railroad and cost over $3,000,000 to construct. Union Station takes up two city blocks on West 14th Street, expanding from Peach Street to Sassafras Street. Upon its opening, the Grand Concourse and Rotunda, located on the first floor, housed shops. The Union News stand, a soda fountain bar, and a barbershop were located on this level, as well as a small branch of the United States Postal Service. After the construction of the Griswold Post Office, adjacent to Union Station, a tunnel was constructed underneath 14th Street that connects both structures. The tunnel was used to transfer mail between both sites. A bomb shelter was also constructed in the basement of Union Station. The second floor of Union Station housed office space for local businesses. In 1933, Bliley Electric Company relocated their offices to Union Station, eventually leaving the station in 1966.

Union Station was a central hub of activity in Erie through World War Two. Famous passengers to travel through Union Station include President Franklin D. Roosevelt, President Harry Truman, Jack Dempsey, and Babe Ruth. Passenger rail service began to dwindle with the increased use of air and highway travel. Union Station had served as a station for both the New York Central Railroad and the Pennsylvania Railroad; however, due to the diminishing use of passenger trains, the two railroad companies merged to form Penn Central Transportation Company in 1968. The company would continue to operate passenger trains until April 1971. The National Passenger Rail Corporation, or Amtrak, took over nationwide passenger rail operations in that same year. However, passenger trains did not run through Union Station from 1972 to 1975 due to lack of profitability. During this time, freight trains continued to travel through Union Station, which were operated by Penn Central Transportation Company until 1976.

At the turn of the twenty-first century, Union Station had lost its status as a center of activity and travel. Logistics Plus bought Union Station in 2003, renovating the second and third floors to house their corporate headquarters. The renovation plan of Union Station included the construction of a mall and museum inside the station. Rather, The Brewerie at Union Station moved into the first floor of the station in 2006. The Brewerie is a popular pub and restaurant that has continued to serve Erie for the last decade.

Sources:

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Photo courtesy, Erie County Assessment Office