My brain is so crowded I sometimes forget simple things. This blog is almost four years old and I keep meaning to go to this place and I never remember to do it. Until Sunday.
This is lovingly restored great hall of Union Station, once one of the country's largest railroad terminals. It fell into grim disrepair as passenger traffic collapsed. Eventually, the tiny number of passenger trains run by Amtrak were moved to a double-wide trailer a few blocks away (known locally as Amshack; it's been replaced with a permanent structure). It is also the lobby of the Hyatt Hotel that now occupies the "head house." I think it is among the most beautiful rooms I've ever seen. Sure, it's not Versailles' Hall of Mirrors and there must be lots of other fabulous rooms in the U.S. but I have not seen the equal. (I must say, though, that I am fond of the main reading room at the Boston Public Library.) It is turn of the 19th to 20th Century grandeur at its most brilliant.
We will explore this over the next couple of days. However, according to hysterical TV forecasters, we may be sliding into the worst ice and snow storm since, I don't know, Lewis and Clark last went looking for a beer in Laclede's Landing. If so, and the local streets can be walked without crampons, I may have to go out and document it.
TUESDAY MORNING UPDATE: the National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning for the first time in the history of the St. Louis office. We are expecting significant ice followed by heavy snow and high winds into tomorrow morning. I closed our office today. Got to get out with my camera if walking isn't unsafe.
8 AM this morning outside my house.
Tiny pellets of ice are falling now, bouncing off surfaces. Snow later.
This is lovingly restored great hall of Union Station, once one of the country's largest railroad terminals. It fell into grim disrepair as passenger traffic collapsed. Eventually, the tiny number of passenger trains run by Amtrak were moved to a double-wide trailer a few blocks away (known locally as Amshack; it's been replaced with a permanent structure). It is also the lobby of the Hyatt Hotel that now occupies the "head house." I think it is among the most beautiful rooms I've ever seen. Sure, it's not Versailles' Hall of Mirrors and there must be lots of other fabulous rooms in the U.S. but I have not seen the equal. (I must say, though, that I am fond of the main reading room at the Boston Public Library.) It is turn of the 19th to 20th Century grandeur at its most brilliant.
We will explore this over the next couple of days. However, according to hysterical TV forecasters, we may be sliding into the worst ice and snow storm since, I don't know, Lewis and Clark last went looking for a beer in Laclede's Landing. If so, and the local streets can be walked without crampons, I may have to go out and document it.
TUESDAY MORNING UPDATE: the National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning for the first time in the history of the St. Louis office. We are expecting significant ice followed by heavy snow and high winds into tomorrow morning. I closed our office today. Got to get out with my camera if walking isn't unsafe.
8 AM this morning outside my house.
Tiny pellets of ice are falling now, bouncing off surfaces. Snow later.
superbe cette salle et la lumiere de la photo est magnifique
ReplyDeleteWell that's ST-Louis' hall of splendour. It's beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThey sure knew how to build railway stations in the old days. This is a stunner, Bob - so beautifully restored. I adore railway stations - think of Grand Central or some of the stations in Europe.
ReplyDeleteGlad they've found a good use for this space. Makes me so sad when places like this are neglected. I bet it made an absolutely stunning railway station--must have really come to life with all those people rushing about on there way to wonderful places.
ReplyDeleteTrain stations make beautiful restaurants....how's the food?
ReplyDeleteI could sit here for hours, I bet. Fabulous... and worth the wait.
ReplyDeleteI was a bit dubious when I read the title but you're right, this is a beauty!
ReplyDeleteI agree about this room. It is so beautiful. I spent a lot of time here, either dining at the hotel or at other restaurants in the complex. I always loved passing through this grand room.
ReplyDeleteBob, I totally agree with you. I have been there and it is magnificent!
ReplyDeleteYOu are right, it is stunning. WE had a very nice train station here in Birmingham but the powers that be decided that old thing needed to GO, so it got the wrecking ball years ago. That's progress fer ya.
ReplyDeleteV
It's a stunning room alright Bob. Did you yell 'fire' before you took the shot?
ReplyDeleteThanks for reminding STL about one of their greatest gems.
ReplyDeletemachelle
I love this hall.
ReplyDeleteSpectacular it is.
ReplyDelete