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Union Station

Original Gateway to Washington DC

Union Station Washington, Washington DC (Trains) image Union Station opened in 1907. At that time, it was the largest train station in the world and displayed a grandeur that is reflected in later designs of the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials.

At times the Station employed over 5,000 people and provided such amenities as a bowling alley, mortuary, hotel, police station and, because US Presidents traveled by train in those days, a Presidential Suite.

For half a century, Union Station served Washington and the U.S. as a major center of transportation and a venue for historic events. However, with the advent of air travel it began to fall into disuse and disrepair.

In 1981, by act of Congress, a public/private partnership was formed to restore the building to its original state and create a viable mixed-use transportation center. Today, the Station houses over 130 unique shops and restaurants, and is the hub for Amtrak's headquarters. It continues to make history, hosting world-class exhibitions and events.

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