Union Station (Palmer, Massachusetts) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Union Station
Location	28 Depot Street, Palmer, Massachusetts
Coordinates	42°9′20″N 72°19′47″W / 42.15556°N 72.32972°W / 42.15556; -72.32972
Construction
Architect	Henry Hobson Richardson; W.N. Flynt & Company
Architectural style	Romanesque
History
Opened	June 1884
Former services
Preceding station New York Central Railroad Following station North Wilbraham toward Albany Boston and Albany Railroad Main Line Worcester toward Boston West Brimfield toward Boston Preceding station Central Vermont Railway Following station Monson toward New London Main Line Three Rivers toward St. Johns
Union Station
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
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NRHP reference No.	88000715
Added to NRHP	June 9, 1988

Union Station is a cool old train station in Palmer, Massachusetts. It was built a long time ago, opening in June 1884. A famous American architect named H. H. Richardson designed it. The station was special because it brought together two different train stations into one place.

The area around the station was first planned by Frederick Law Olmsted. This station is located where three important train lines met. These lines were the Boston and Albany Railroad, the New London Northern Railroad, and the Ware River Railroad. Today, these lines are used by different companies like CSX and the New England Central Railroad.

History of Union Station

Three Train Lines Meet

Imagine Palmer as a busy crossroads for trains! Back in 1839, the Western Railroad opened. It connected cities like Worcester and Springfield, Massachusetts. Later, this line became part of the Boston and Albany Railroad. They had their own station near where Union Station is now.

Then came the New London, Willimantic, and Palmer Railroad. It reached Palmer in 1850. This line later became the New London Northern Railroad. Its station was on the other side of the tracks.

Finally, the Ware River Railroad opened in 1870. It also connected to Palmer. So, Palmer became a very important spot where many train lines crossed paths.

Building Union Station

An early postcard of Union Station

Because so many train lines met in Palmer, it made sense to have one big station for everyone. In 1881, the Boston and Albany Railroad and the New London Northern Railroad decided to build a "union station." This meant one station that both companies could use.

They hired the famous architect H. H. Richardson to design it. The building started in May 1883 and opened in June 1884. It was built using strong granite stone from a nearby quarry. It also had brownstone details. The station cost about $53,616, which was a lot of money back then!

The outdoor areas around the station were designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. He was famous for designing parks and landscapes.

When Passenger Trains Stopped

For many years, Union Station was a busy place for people traveling by train. But over time, fewer people rode trains. Passenger service on the Central Vermont line ended in 1947. A "mixed train," which carried both people and goods, ran on the Ware River line until 1948.

The Boston and Albany line also stopped carrying local passengers in 1960. By 1971, all regular passenger train service to Palmer had ended. Even when Amtrak took over many train routes, they didn't stop at Palmer.

Union Station Today

Even though passenger trains don't stop at Union Station anymore, the train tracks are still very busy! Freight trains, which carry goods, still use all three lines. The Central Vermont line is now operated by the New England Central Railroad. The Boston and Albany line is now part of CSX.

The old station building has found new life. For many years, it was a flea market. In 1987, new owners bought the building. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. This means it's recognized as an important historical building.

In 2004, a restaurant called The Steaming Tender opened in the station. It's a popular spot, especially for train fans who like to watch the busy CSX trains go by. There are also ideas to bring passenger train service back to Palmer in the future.