Union Stations Across the U.S.
By Beryl Frank
Albany, New York
They were centrally located and in an industrialized section of the United States. They were the New York Central and the Hudson River railroads, among the most successful American rail lines in the 19th century.
A third line was added by Cornelius Vanderbilt in 1869. The Boston and Albany Railroad was added to the New York Central system in 1899. The Albany Union Station was born. Three railroads used the tracks and facilities of the structure in Albany at 575 Broadway.
Upon completion in 1900, the imposing granite structure was in the Beaux Arts design. The Boston firm of Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge were the architects chosen. According to their design, passengers entered and left the building through the great arched openings. These led into the large waiting room whose ceiling was 110 feet high.
The last train left the Albany Union Station in December 1968. Shortly after that, the building fell into disrepair. Trees grew out from the roof. Plaster was destroyed by water damage. Vandals stripped whatever they could manage to get and the Union Station was just a hulk of its former glory.
But the head of Northstar Bancorp - Peter Kiernan - decided to convert the building into the headquarters for the company.
Renovation began in 1984. A grand opening was held in 1986. Few changes were made on the outside of the building. But in the original waiting room, the floor was raised one story to accommodate the business machines such as computers.
The city of Albany created a Tricentennial Park across the street and called it the Peter D. Kiernan Plaza. This honored the man who saved this wonderful building from destruction. It called to mind the time when a traveler by train went in and out of Albany and that depot was known as Union Station.
Union Station, Albany, 1899-1900. Just down the street with its window awnings open is the Gateway Hotel where many passengers spent the night.
The building as it looks in 2006. No longer a train station, but now owned and used as corporate headquarters for Northstar Bancorp.
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