Houston Amtrak Station - Houston, Texas
N 29° 46.033 W 095° 22.055
15R E 271087 N 3295340
This is the fourth station to be constructed in this vicinity. The present station is owned by the Union Pacific Railroad and served by Amtrak. The platform shelters are the only remnant of the 1934 Southern Pacific Lines Grand Central Station.
Waymark Code: WM4H0J
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 08/23/2008
Views: 121
Station 4 - The Houston Amtrak Station was actually constructed by the Southern Pacific Railroad. At the time that Amtrak was organized on May 1, 1971, there were two passenger stations in Houston. The other station was Houston Union Station, which no longer serves trains and has been renovated to be a part of Minute Maid Park baseball stadium. Amtrak passenger trains stopped serving Union Station in 1974 and were moved to the present Amtrak Station.
Station 1 - Just west of the present station behind the post office, the Houston and Texas Central Railroad had constructed a passenger depot by or prior to 1873. The Southern Pacific Railroad acquired the Houston and Texas Central Railroad in 1883.
Station 2 - In 1887 Southern Pacific constructed a modern, three story brick Grand Central Station for $80,000 to replace the earlier depot on the site. This station was remodeled in 1906 and again in 1914 and by 1924, the Station had a waiting room in the middle of the building, offices on the 2nd and 3rd floors with additional offices in the east wing, and baggage offices in the west wing. To shelter the passengers from the elements several 600 foot long train sheds protected the tracks on the north side of the station.
Station 3 – In 1929 Southern Pacific made plans for a new station, beginning construction in May of 1933 and opened in September of 1934. The architect for this station was Mr. Wyatt C. Hedrick of Houston. The building consisted of a waiting room with offices and a restaurant in the west wing; and a small "colored waiting room," offices, a small restaurant and a baggage room in the east wing. The building was quite striking in appearance (http://mcgovern.library.tmc.edu/data/www/html/texascoll/post/cities/houston/hous_03.htm being constructed with an exterior of Texas Cordova cream-colored limestone set on a base of Texas pink granite.
Is the station/depot currently used for railroad purposes?: Yes
Is the station/depot open to the public?: Yes
What rail lines does/did the station/depot serve?: Union Pacific Railroad
Station/Depot Web Site: [Web Link]
If the station/depot is not being used for railroad purposes, what is it currently used for?: Not listed
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