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Richmond, Virginia, circa 1905. "Main Street Station." The clock tower will be familiar to travelers on I-95 where it pokes up over the elevated portion of expressway downtown. Detroit Publishing glass negative. View full size.
So cool to see this in all its original glory. This is one of my favorite landmarks when traveling on I-95.
The only three-level mainline railroad crossing in the United States is just off the west end of the station. They've actually put in a little park to make it a little nicer to visit. That's also down by the Tredegar Iron Works Museum, which has one of the few (if not the only) statues of Abraham Lincoln in the former Confederate States.
It was always a landmark when we drove from MD to NC to visit my dad's family. We usually don't go that way any more, so I don't see it too often.
The open train shed was closed in on the sides and end after the station was no longer used as a railroad station. It served for a while as an (unsuccessful) shopping mall and later office space for (I think) either the city or state government. The main terminal is now used as a station again for trains between Richmond and the Norfolk area.
You are right, it is almost buried in the midst of I-95 and its various ramps. Too bad!
This is truly a magnificent building to see. I wish the planners of I-95 could have found an alternate location through this area.
Not a motorized vehicle in sight. Compare it to pictures we have seen of Detroit and other large cities in the same period.
Love this clock tower with all the ornate work. Also, interesting is the elevated tracks at the loading and unloading platforms.
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