Tomorrow, September 5th marks what would have been the 104th Birthday of the original Pennsylvania Station by designed by architects McKim, Mead & White. For the occasion, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite vintage photographs of the train station, ranging from the architecture to the fashionable commuters to the sad demolition which sparked the creation of a landmarks commission. While we lament the loss of the stately station, its demise has assured the survival of many other wonderful buildings in New York City, including Grand Central Terminal. With the recent news that Penn Station will get an upgrade of tenants, which is a step forward, we’re still hoping for a transformation into a world-class train station.
Michelle is the founder of Untapped New York and the author of The Art Spy (HarperOne, forthcoming) Secret Brooklyn, Secret New York Hidden Bars & Restaurants, and Broadway. michelleyoungwriter.com
Photo via Wikimedia Commons, Library of Congress
Image via Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain
