Find the Stone Pillars Used to Test Grand Central’s Facade with ‘City Full of History’ Episode 4

We’re back with the video series “A City Full of History,” delving into the lesser known aspects of New York City history produced by Untapped Cities contributor Dan Thurber, who runs the YouTube channel Bookworm History. Last week we found out why the Metropolitan Museum of Art is crowned with piles of rough-cut stone. This week we head up to Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx to find the Grand Central Stones!

Construction on Grand Central Terminal first began in 1903, and for the first few years was limited to work below ground level, excavating and building the underground tracks and train sheds that helped make Grand Central so revolutionary.  While the design for the above-ground building was still being finalized the New York Central Railroad was confronted with a very important question: what type of stone should they use to cover the terminal?

Grand Central Terminal at its heart is a steel-frame building, and the New York Central wanted to be absolutely sure that the stone they used for the Terminal’s exterior would withstand the rigors of New York City’s winters.  To that end they devised a novel experiment, still view-able today in Van Cortlandt Park.  Come along with us on ‘City Full of History’, as we pay a visit to the Grand Central Stones!

To learn more about the history of Grand Central Terminal, join Untapped Cities’ Secrets of Grand Central Walking Tour!

Tour of the Secrets of Grand Central Terminal

Next, check out See a Remnant of the Lost Biltmore Hotel in Grand Central Terminal and