Union Station, Kansas City

Union Station is a beautiful old train station originally opened in 1914. It was closed in the 1980's and sat neglected and empty till it's renovation in 1999. The Grand Hall's 95-foot ceiling, three 3,500-pound chandeliers and the six-foot wide clock hanging in the Station's central arch is a marvel in itself. This former train station retains its beauty and now contains a science museum, traveling exhibits and restaurants. Amtrak still runs nearby.

Union Station is a beautifully restored early 20th century building that houses the train station , stores, state of the art movie theaters, a food court, exhibits, a planetarium and the famous science center "Science City" with exhibits for young learners.

Early in the 20th Century, the main train depot was moved from a location prone to flooding to here just south of the downtown area. With 850,000 square feet/79,000 square meters and a 95 foot/29 meter high ceiling in the Great Hall – in which three 3,500 pound/1,600 kg chandeliers hang – the Union Station was the second largest train station in the U.S. when it was completed in 1914. Passenger traffic peaked in 1945 with some 678,363 people passing through – it is said that half of America’s soldiers involved in World War II passed through Union Station – as opposed to only some 32,842 in 1973 with the decline of rail travel. After a few starts and stops, renovation of the train depot began in earnest in 1997 with local tax increases accounting for half of the $250 million charge. Today, Union Station is run by a non-profit corporation – not only is Union Station non-profit, but it loses money to boot – and a couple of restaurants and museums are located within, as well as the Amtrak passenger service terminal on the west side. Out in front of the Station, waters of the Bloch Fountain dance. A pedestrian skywalk connects the Station with the nearby Crown Plaza.

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This is a cavernous hall that used to be the main waiting station inside. At one time in WWII there were 1 million that came thought this station to various points. It has 850,000 square feet and used to also have 850 rooms to stay plus a waiting area to seat 10,000. Now the alternative feture is Science City; a presentation of odd science displays. Once you seen it that is all you need to not come back.
They still do have an Amtrak next door that you can connect to. There are a couple of shops that sell goodies, like chocolate, and souvenirs. Everything is closed after 5PM, so it really gets dark in there; like a sarcophogus since all is made of huge limestone blocks inside and outside.

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It is a renovated and completely redone station in 1999 that was back form the 1920's era. That took $250 million to restore. Now it needs more money to survive and stay open. They offer a Science Museum inside. However, once you see it, it is not worth another return since the exhibits do not change. Money and brains do not mix when it comes to the public figures trying to do something right for the community. Exhibits are scant and every one loses money in featuring. The building is the site to see, and that is free to go inside. Large-huge cavern of the inside and the ceilings are maybe 95 feet high. It was finished in 1914, and has 850,000 Square feet. It was used extensively during WWII, and 1 million people came through.

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Union station was one of those grand old train stations when rail travel was king. The restoration is really beutiful, and it still serves AMTRAK as a depot. But what is best is the preserved and restored building. It houses shops and restaurants, as well as a great science museum that is fun for the whole family.

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"Meet me under the clock." For several generations of Kansas Citians, that meant only one thing - let's get together under the clock at Union Station. At a time when rail travel was at its peak in the US, and particularly during World War II, this grandiose train station was a whirlwind of activity. The north waiting room alone would hold up to 10,000 people.

Union Station dates back to 1914. In 1933 it was the site of the Union Station Massacre in which Pretty Boy Floyd and his accomplices attempted to free convicted murderer and gangster Frank Nash who, a bloody shootout in which Nash and three lawmen were killed. As a result of this affair, J. Edgar Hoover's fledgling FBI was given increased powers and funding. Ask somebody familiar with the building to show you the bullet holes. Some say these aren't really bullet holes from the shootout, but there are always nay-sayers about.

In the 1980s, the grand old lady was boarded up, home to pigeons. Millions of dollars were spent to completely restore the station, and it is now home to restaurants and shops, Science City, a new train museum, theatre, and is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institute, often bringing exciting temporary exhibits to the city.

We went to a wonderful celebration at the Union Station downtown Kansas City. It was for the Memorial Day holiday. They had the Kansas City Symphony play a patriotic concert, then there were fireworks over Liberty Memorial afterwards. They announced that there were 24,000 people attending the event this year. This was a free performance.

Check out my Kansas City Travelogues for more pictures of this event.