Union Station

The railway station is an important architectural monument of the city and the second-largest station in the United States. Besides, Union Station has both passenger and freight trains.

The station was opened in 1914. It was the only way to get from one city to another. Its design was started in 1906, and the cost of construction was more than six million dollars. Jarvis Hunt, widely famous in America, was an architect. He designed more than 10 different buildings in the country and was considered an expert in his field.

The station is huge, it amazes with its grandeur. An area is about 79,000 square meters, while the height of the ceiling in the main hall is 29 meters. Besides, it is decorated with three magnificent chandeliers. Each of them weighs more than 1600 kilograms. Also, the main hall has a clock, which diameter reaches 1.8 meters.

The largest passenger flow at Union Station was recorded during the First World War. That time, about 79,000 trains were passing through the station. Later, with the development of road communication between states and cities, the necessity for servicing such a large station diminished. Now, only two passengers and four cargo ways are open.

In 1997, Union Station was restored. The patrons and citizens of Kansas donated money for this. The names of donors are marked on plaques and paving slabs next to the station. It looks very impressive. These names reflect the concern of the residents in keeping the building in the historical form.

In 1999, the renovated station opened its doors as a cultural space. Various exhibitions, cultural events, and concerts take place here. The station building has a copy of an old steam locomotive in a diminished form. Every detail is made according to the prototype, transporting people and goods.