Denver Union Station, Travel by Train

The station that is so well known today is not actually the original, which was destroyed by fire, although interestingly today’s building was partially constructed from the rubble of the original. Denver Union Station was designed by architects Taylor, Van Brundt & Howe and was completed in 1914. One of the building’s more interesting distinctive features, at least regarding rail operations, is that it was one of the few stations still standing that served both standard and narrow gauge trains as well as interurban, trolley service.

During the station’s heyday which lasted from the time of its opening in 1914 to roughly 1950 it served some eighty daily passenger trains of the Union Pacific; Denver & Rio Grande Western; Burlington; Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific; and Santa Fe. It was the 1950s that Denver Union Station’s decline (as with almost all other railroad stations nationwide) as a major rail hub took place and by the 1970s few trains still called there including the famous California Zephyr.

Rail service, though, would not cease altogether. After Amtrak took over the station’s passenger operations following its creation in 1971 it retained service there including the Rio Grande Zephyr (the follow-up to the CZ), which it began to oversee in the 1980s (following the Rio Grande’s exit altogether from passenger operations).

Today, while a few of the station’s most decorative pieces have been removed including chandeliers, candelabras, and a large welcome-arch it mostly remains intact and just as it appeared following its opening. The station also remains quite active with all floors filled with offices, business, or entertainment including the area immediately surrounding the building, which is quite prominent itself.

Today, in the 21st century, Denver Union Station is slated by the City of Denver as a major hub for mulimodal transportation, including commuter rail which is to be expanded throughout the local area.

Below is a bit more history on the station courtesy of the Friends of Union Station:

In the 1870's, Denver had several railroad depots. The station at 16th and Delgany was used by three railroads — sort of an early union station. Denver's first railroad, the Kansas Pacific, used a station at 21st and Wazee, while the Denver Pacific's terminal was at the site of the present Denver Union Station. Toward the end of the decade, Financier Jay Gould organized the Union Depot & Railroad Company for the purpose of establishing a consolidated passenger terminal in the City.

Incorporated in 1879, the Union Depot Company began construction on a new terminal in 1880, and the facility opened for business by the middle of 1881 — a remarkably short time. The completed building was 503 feet long and 65 feet wide. Stone for the building came from several different Colorado sites. Within a few years 60 trains arrived or departed from the station each day. It had truly become the gateway to the Mile-high City.

On March 18, 1894, fire destroyed most of the depot. About a year later, the Union Depot was rebuilt within the existing exterior walls with a new clock tower, a lower profile roof and small dormers replacing the clerestory facade.

Traffic continued to grow, and by 1914 the station was deemed too small. The center section of the old building was demolished and a new central waiting room built. Today, only the north and south wings exterior walls remain from the 1881 original building.

For more reading about railroad stations you might want to consider a copy of Railroad Stations from author Brian Solomon. While the book is just a very general overview of some of the great stations that once stood in this country it is quite good with lots of historical photographs, including that of Grand Central Terminal and the late Pennsylvania Station (it also gives a history of the thousands of small depots that existed in most communities). All in all if you’re interested in stations and depots you’re sure to enjoy Mr. Solomon’s book on the subject.

Also, for an in-depth publication about Denver Union Station consider the book Denver's Railroads: The Story of Union Station and the Railroads of Denver from author Kenton Forrest. The book details the station from its earliest beginnings through the end of the "Golden Age" of passenger rail travel. If you have any interest in the station and the railroads that once served Denver you should certainly enjoy the book.