Chicago Union Station facts for kids
Union Station is a very important train station in Chicago. It first opened its doors in 1925, taking the place of an older station from 1881. Today, it is the only place in Chicago where you can catch long-distance trains that travel between cities. It's also the main station for commuter trains that take people to and from work or school within the Chicago area.
The station is located on the west side of the Chicago River, between West Adams Street and West Jackson Boulevard. It's just outside the busy area known as the Chicago Loop. Union Station is huge, covering an area about the size of nine and a half city blocks if you include all its tracks! Most of the station is actually underground, hidden beneath streets and tall buildings. It's also very close to the famous Willis Tower.
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Discovering Union Station
Union Station is more than just a place to catch a train; it's a historic building with a lot to see.
A Grand Design
When Union Station was built, it was designed to be a grand and impressive building. The main part of the station, called the Great Hall, has a huge, arched ceiling and beautiful details. It was meant to make travelers feel like they were entering a special place. Many movies have even filmed scenes here, like The Untouchables, because of its unique look.
Busy Hub for Travelers
Every day, thousands of people pass through Union Station. They might be traveling to another city on an Amtrak train, or they might be using Metra commuter trains to get around Chicago and its suburbs. The station is a busy hub, connecting people from all over to different parts of the city and beyond.
Hidden Depths
Because much of Union Station is underground, it's like a hidden world beneath the city. This design helps keep the station running smoothly, even with so many trains and people. It's a great example of how engineers and architects can create amazing structures that fit into a busy city landscape.
Images for kids
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Union Station Transit Center and station garage
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The Great Hall
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Night and Day by Henry Hering
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Chicago Union Station Power House
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Chicago Daily News Building
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Union Depot, the first union station in Chicago
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The 1922 proposal for Union Station included a taller tower of offices above the terminal, but only a few stories for railroad offices were completed.
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Dedication of the new station in 1925
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Part of the restored Burlington Room
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The station's parking in 2011; the lot in the foreground is now a bus station; the garage permanently closed in 2019.
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Great Hall renovations in 2018
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One of the two grand staircases, where movie scenes such as The Untouchables were filmed
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See also
In Spanish: Chicago Union Station para niños
