Richmond, VA: Main Street Station
Main Street Station in Richmond, VA is a building that has WOW! factor in spades. Driving south on I-95, this late Victorian beauty immediately stands out on the left as you pass downtown Richmond.
Main Street Station, completed in 1901, was designed by the Philadelphia firm of Wilson, Harris, and Richards. It was built as a join endeavor of the Seaboard Air Line Railroad (SAL) and the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway (C&O.) Despite it's name, Seaboard Air Line was strictly a railroad, with no aircraft. C&O maintained passenger service at the station until 1971, when all eastern seaboard passenger service was consolidated under Amtrak.
Service was discontinued after Hurricane Agnes flooded the station in 1972, and didn't return until a major renovation, completed in late 2003. As of today, there are two Amtrak Northeast Regional trains daily, with direct service as far as South Station in Boston.
Main Street Station along with it's trainshed, one of the few remaining of its kind, is designated as National Historic Landmark. There are plans for Amtrak to increase its service at the station, so thankfully, it will be with us for a long time.
Here's a close-up of the ornate roof and clock tower. The building in the background is the James Monroe Building. It's the tallest building in Richmond, but as contrasted against Main Street Station, it's a mundane and depressing pile of steel, glass, and concrete.
