The Delaware Lackawanna & Western's Grand Hoboken Terminal

For many railroads, except the Pennsylvania Railroad and New York Central, the New Jersey waterfront was as close as they would be able to get to the downtown New York City area of Manhattan. So, to reach the district several railroads including the DL&W, Central Railroad of New Jersey, Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and others either built or shared terminals along shores of the Hudson River directly opposite Manhattan and used a fleet of ferries to transport passengers directly into the downtown area.

Today’s Hoboken Terminal, which opened in 1907, was actually a replacement for the original building, which burned in 1905 due to a ferry catching fire while docked and spreading throughout the complex. The DL&W’s replacement, however, would be far more stunning than the original. Commissioning the architect Kenneth M. Murchison the new station would have a Tiffany glass ceiling more than fifty feet high and walls of limestone made with iron and bronze.

The building would also have a spectacular double staircase from the main waiting room featuring ornate cast iron railings that would carry passengers above to the waiting ferries, which would take them into Manhattan.

Perhaps the building’s most stunning and recognized feature is its copper-adorned façade, the very same copper used to construct the Statue of Liberty! The building’s other remarkable feature was a new train shed design that later became widely employed. The DL&W’s chief engineer designed the structure, Lincoln Bush. Typical train sheds of the day were arched or rounded whereas Bush created a new design that was cantilevered, which allowed it to be far cheaper to construct and maintain.

For years Hoboken Terminal had lost its stunning clock tower and today still does not serve through passengers. However, aside from still serving thousands of commuters daily the terminal is currently being completely restored (again) and just recently saw the replacement of its beautiful clock tower.

The last restoration project remaining on the building is its ferry slips, which will look and serve in their original function, save for one that will be used as a museum or gift shop. At one time the building was in danger of being razed but after the Pennsylvania Station’s demise a much more alert and historical conscious public saved the building, which was restored in the 1980s, much to its original splendor.

Along with hosting commuters, today Hoboken Terminal continues to also ferry passengers, literally! The ferry system was discontinued before the 1970s but was revived in the 1990s. While long distance trains may never again call at the station it has held a much better fate than many other grand railroad stations and terminals across the country, and besides still serving in much of its original function you can visit the building any time you wish to see the magnificent architecture of the waiting room, concourse, and even the train shed of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western’s Hoboken Terminal.

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.