Union Station keeps Kansas City’s history alive while changing with the times
We love Kansas City’s Union Station. It’s a venerable building with beautiful architecture and design. Built in 1914, Union Station saw more than 1 million travelers come through its door during World War II.
As time passed, people started traveling by other means, so the passenger rail business has slacked. It’s currently home to an Amtrak stop.
The view of Kansas City’s skyline (from the World War I memorial observation deck) is enhanced with Union Station standing proudly in the front. You can see the city’s progression from older buildings to contemporary.
Today, Union Station is home to museums, theaters and special exhibits. Families can check out Science City. People can catch a variety of movies at the theater.
The Grand Hall is huge and beautiful. It’s 95 feet tall, with chandeliers that each about 3,500 lbs. The Grand Hall has a visitors information kiosk, as well as a restaurant.
The hall is home to the annual holiday display. Several Christmas trees are located throughout the area. The main tree stands tall near the entrance. Union Station sponsors a series of local performers during the Christmas season, including singers and musicians.
Union Station is home to several special exhibits. We’ve had the pleasure of checking out a few over the years – a Norman Rockwell photo exhibit of his drawings, King Tut exhibit, a Pirates exhibit, as well as a traveling exhibit of artifacts from the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Union Station has a permanent model railroad display free to the public. The train exhibit has several model trains of varying scales.
As many times as we’ve been there, we recently learned about a bridge that crosses high above railroad tracks. You can stand there and watch trains pass through.
As you walk to the bridge, you pass through a display highlighting a piece of Union Station history. You see sculptures of people who likely visited the location during their travel days. A scene recreates an old lunch counter from Union Station with a waitress and a couple of customers.
A visit to Union Station wouldn’t be complete without checking bullet marks from 1933’s “Kansas City Massacre.” Mobsters, including “Pretty Boy” Floyd, ambushed law enforcement agents in an attempt to free a friend and associate. Four police officers were killed. Bullets lodged into the side of the east entrance of Union Station. The holes were eventually covered, but you can see the markings. A historical marker also recognizes the attack.
Union Station has had a vibrant history and has survived through the years, changing its mission to acclimate. The building’s location helps make it a great attraction. You can visit the World War I Museum and Liberty Memorial, as well as Crown Center Mall.
For more information on Union Station, please visit www.visitkc.com or www.unionstation.org.
