Hyde Park station (New York Central Railroad) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hyde Park
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Station building in 2007
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| Location | 34 River Road, Hyde Park, Dutchess County, New York 12538 | ||||||||||
| Platforms | 2 side | ||||||||||
| Tracks | 4 | ||||||||||
| History | |||||||||||
| Closed | 1958 | ||||||||||
| Former services | |||||||||||
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Hyde Park Railroad Station
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| Built | 1914 | ||||||||||
| Architect | Warren and Wetmore | ||||||||||
| Architectural style | Mission/Spanish Revival | ||||||||||
| NRHP reference No. | 81000403 | ||||||||||
| Added to NRHP | 1981 | ||||||||||
The Hyde Park train station used to be a busy stop for the New York Central Railroad. It's located in Hyde Park, New York, right where Crum Elbow Creek meets the Hudson River.
The very first station here was a small wooden building built in 1851. It was part of the Hudson River Railroad, which connected New York City and Albany. The building you see today was built in 1914. It was designed by famous architects, Warren and Wetmore, who also designed New York's Grand Central Terminal. The station has a cool style, mixing Mission and Spanish Revival looks.
Contents
A Popular Stop for Travelers
This station was very popular for many years. Many wealthy families had large homes nearby, like the Vanderbilt Mansion.
President Roosevelt's Connection
Later, Franklin D. Roosevelt, who became a U.S. President, often visited his home in Hyde Park. He used this station many times.
A Royal Visit
In 1939, President Roosevelt greeted King George VI and Queen Elizabeth of the United Kingdom right at this station. They were visiting the U.S.
Roosevelt's Final Journey
After President Roosevelt passed away in 1945, his body was brought by train to this station. From there, it was taken for burial at his home. Even during his time as president, the station was mostly for local trains. Faster, named trains usually passed by without stopping.
The Station's Later Years
As cars and airplanes became more popular, fewer people traveled by train. The Hyde Park station started to see less and less activity.
Service Changes
Regular train service stopped in 1953. After that, trains might have only stopped if someone waved them down. The New York Central Railroad officially listed it as a station until 1958. Then, two of the four train tracks were removed. The tunnel leading to the southbound platforms was also closed.
A New Owner
Eventually, the railroad sold the station building to the Town of Hyde Park. This was one of many things the railroad sold to try and stay in business.
From Abandoned to Museum
For a while, local young people tried to fix up the station to use as a teen center. But they couldn't finish the project.
Falling Apart
By 1975, the empty building was in bad shape. It had been damaged by people and was almost torn down.
Saved by History Lovers
Luckily, the Hudson Valley Railroad Society (HVRS) stepped in just in time. They rented the station from the town for only one dollar a year for fifteen years. The HVRS worked hard to fix up the station, both inside and out. They even completely restored the special tiled roof.
A New Purpose
The society began turning the old station into a regional rail museum. They raise money for the museum by holding an annual model train show.
The Tracks Today
The train tracks near the station are still used today. They are fenced off to keep people safe. CSX and Amtrak's Empire Service trains still use these tracks.
Future Possibilities
There's a chance the Hyde Park station could become an active passenger station again someday. This could happen if the Metro-North's Hudson Line commuter train service is extended north from its current end point in Poughkeepsie.
