It was built during the golden age of rail travel and exemplified the power and scope railroads wielded at that time. How a train station transformed america kindle edition by roberts, sam, hamill, pete. The railroad had been extended to harlem, in presentday upper manhattan, by 1837. Grand central terminal arose from a need to build a central station for the hudson river railroad, the new york and harlem railroad, and the new york and new haven railroad in what is now midtown manhattan. Lots of beautiful photos of grand central station and the fact that the book is. A rich, illustrated and entertaining history of the iconic grand central terminal, from one of new york citys favorite writers, just in time to celebrate the train stations 100th fabulous anniversary.
This new book celebrates grand central s centennial by tracing the terminal s history and design, and showcasing 200 photographs of its wondersfrom the welltrodden main concourse to its massive power station hidden 10 stories below. Grand hyatt new york, new york updated 2020 prices. Schlichting tells its story, from its arduous 10year construction more than three million cubic yards of rock and earth had to be moved and final completion in. Its rich history is a story of immense wealth and great engineering, but also of survival and rebirth. Cornelius vanderbilts architect, john snook, modeled the design after imposing second empire architecture popular in france. Grand central terminal is a commuter rail terminal located at 42nd street and park avenue in midtown manhattan, new york city. Grand hyatt new york this neighbourhood is a great choice for travellers interested in architecture, restaurants and walking check location 109 east 42nd street, park avenue at grand central terminal, midtown east, new york, ny 10017, united states this neighbourhood is a great choice for travellers interested in architecture, restaurants and walking check location excellent. How a train station transformed america, sam roberts of the times goes behind the scenes at grand. The transportation hub as we know it today began construction in 1903, but before that 89 e 42nd was home to an.
The harlem railroad was the first of these railroads to operate, having been incorporated in 1831. Nypl grand central library the new york public library. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading grand central. Temporarily closed the oldest restaurant in grand central, this landmark has one of the largest and freshest seafood menus including in the city.
The story of how our most famous railway station managed to become a centenarian is now chronicled in a new book. Inside the secret life of new yorks grand central terminal. Grand central terminal opened its doors at midnight on february 2, 19. This subterranean oyster house has been the pearl of grand central station since 19. Progressive in its day, second empire was the style used for the 1865 new york stock exchange building on wall street. New york central s breathtaking grand central terminal gct is a new york city landmark and world famous station. The secrets of grand central vijai singh january 18, 20 in his new book grand central. Did you know that hitler once sent spies to destroy the grand central train system. After years of abandonment, it is now owned by the nonprofit preservation group central terminal restoration corporation, which is working to restore and repurpose the complex. Grand central terminal arose from a need to build a central station for all three terminals in presentday midtown manhattan. Grand central acts as a central hub for transit in midtown manhattan, offering rail, subway, bus, taxi, and airport service all within steps of the main concourse. New yorks train stations are all about travel, but grand central doesnt just help you reach your destination.
The secrets of grand central terminal in new york city. From its origins in paris to its response to 21stcentury challenges, the history of grand central comes alive in the book s vivid anecdotes and plentiful illustrations. The segment was filmed inside an r160 subway car two days after the grand central terminal video, said sarah meyer, chief customer officer with the new york city transit. Detroit detroits former main train station, designed in the beauxarts style by the same architects who created grand central terminal in. Located at 42nd street and park avenue in midtown manhattan, it is the largest train station in the world by number of platforms history. How a train station transformed america, sam roberts of the times goes behind the scenes at grand central terminal ahead of the centennial. From its origins in paris to its response to 21stcentury challenges, the history of grand central comes alive in the books vivid anecdotes and plentiful illustrations.
The original terminal was built by cornelius vanderbilt and than later redone in 1903 becoming the biggest construction project in new yorks history. The 20th century limited was an express passenger train that ran between grand central terminal and lasalle street station in chicago, operated by the new york central railroad from 1902 until 1967. The magnate commodore cornelius vanderbilt bought the hudson river and new york central railroads in 1867, and created grand central depot for the hudson river, new york central, and new haven railroads in 1871. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about grand central like never before, in no time at all. The terminal was a product of local politics, bold architecture, brutal flexing. Grand centrals beginning the first grand central terminal was built in 1871 by shipping and railroad magnate cornelius vanderbilt.
Built in 19, the beaux arts depot is the worlds largest in. All of this matched with an awardwinning wine list featuring 80 selections by. It also contains a connection to the new york city subway at grand central42nd street station. Newyork historical society grand central terminal, new. Its 70acre compound had 32 miles of track, which fed into 46 tracks and 30 passenger platforms, making it nearly twice the size of the recentlyopened. It also contains a connection to the new york city subway at grand central 42nd street station.
Excellent book of substantial nyc and historical interest. When it comes to the worlds most majestic train stations, new yorks grand central terminal almost always makes the list. Newyork historical society 170 central park west at richard gilder way 77th street new york, ny 10024. Grand central terminal is the terminus of metronorth railroad, but thats not the only way to get to and from the terminal and around new york city.
By the late 19th century, the second empire became symbolic of grand, public architecture in the. The history of new york city s famous railroad terminal chronicles the construction and history of the big apples most famous park. Even before grand central terminal officially opened on february 2, 19 new yorkers were teased with descriptions of the mural that had been painted on its vaulted ceiling, with the new york. A history of new york city in thirteen miles, is a social history of americans most famous street. The 20th century limited gets ready to leave grand central station in new york for its last run, on december 2, 1967. Discover grand central oyster bar in new york, new york. Hotel grand central new york the westin new york grand. Grand central terminal new york city 2020 what to know.
Grand central terminal, opened a century ago next month, was the dream of a littleknown engineer whose vision helped shape new york city and the modern imagination. Grand central terminal opened to the public on february 2, 19, grand central is a worldfamous landmark and transportation hub in midtown manhattan. New yorkers in the early 1900s saw their city as the new cultural and commercial capital, deserving a majestic landmark. Read this book and over 1 million others with a kindle unlimited membership.
This was my very first book by fiona davis and of course, being a former new york girl, i was so enticed by its setting, that of new yorks grand central terminal. Grand central terminal opens in new york city history. The preservation battle of grand central forty years ago, preservationistsincluding a former first ladyfought to maintain the integrity of new york citys historic railway station. On february 2, 19, new york citys grand central terminal opens for the first time. However, some new yorkers dont know much about the stations fascinating history or grand centrals hidden secrets. Grand central terminal new york city 2020 all you need. Grand central terminal simple english wikipedia, the. The masterpiece by fiona davis goodreads share book. The hidden history of grand central terminals celestial. How bts filmed a top secret video in grand central terminal. Grand central oyster bar new york, new york gastro obscura.
The first station at this site was built in 1871 by the new york central railroad at a time when there were many long. Book your tickets online for grand central terminal, new york city. Here, youll find 25 types of fish and up to 30 varieties of oysters, along with other seafood specialties. The grand central art galleries were the exhibition and administrative space of the nonprofit painters and sculptors gallery association, an artists cooperative established in 1922 by walter leighton clark together with john singer sargent, edmund greacen, and others. The distinctive architecture and interior design of grand central terminals station. This new book celebrates grand centrals centennial by tracing the terminals history and design, and showcasing 200 photographs of its wonders. Grand central terminal is a jewel in new yorks crown.
The mad bomber strikes in new york on march 29, 1951, a homemade device explodes at grand central station in new york city, startling commuters but injuring no one. The history of new york citys famous railroad terminal chronicles the construction and history of the big apples most famous park. Books set in grand central station, new york, ny, us 14 books set in grand. In 1978, architect philip johnson and first lady jacqueline kennedy onassis campaigned to secure landmark status for the terminal, ensuring the building would serve new yorkers for generations to come.
Click on any of the thumbnails below to pick a page to print and color. One of new yorks best known architectural historians offers a comprehensive portrait of one of the worlds finest rail terminals. Reap the benefits of our proximity to grand central station, one of new yorks most iconic hubs this hotel has a smokefree policy book 10 or more rooms at this hotel. Grand central terminal, opened a century ago next month, was the dream of a. The history of new york citys famous railroad terminal. The birth of grand central terminal the new york times.
The vibrant city beautiful movement, meanwhile, promoted architectural excellence. This new book celebrates grand centrals centennial history and design, and showcasing 200 photographs of its wonders. Grand central is the southern terminus of the metronorth railroads harlem, hudson and new haven lines, serving the northern parts of the new york metropolitan area. The transportation hub as we know it today began construction in 1903, but before that 89 e.
Detroits revival is anchored in its train station the. Opened to the public in february 19, grand central terminal is a story of great engineering, survival, and rebirth. The first grand central on 42nd street opened in 1871. Railroads, engineering and architecture in new york city, kurt c. Amazon might want to clear up the fact that pete hamill, as gifted as he is, did not write this book. The terminal is the thirdbusiest train station in north america, after new york penn station and. Grand central terminal gct often called grand central station or simply grand central is a train station in new york city. A rich, illustrated and entertaining history of the iconic grand central terminal, from one of new york citys favorite writers, just in time to celebrate the train stations. This new book celebrates grand centrals centennial by tracing the terminals history and design, and showcasing 200 photographs of its. The grand central branch is conveniently situated for commuters and area workers, as well as families living to the east. The building of grand central was the largest construction project in new york s history up to that time.