Pennsylvania station was a historic railroad station in new york city, named for the pennsylvania railroad prr, its builder and original tenant. Old penn station memorialized in new book of stunning photos. Dec 18, 2017 besides, new york city has enough glass buildings already in his opinion. Experience the best of boston and cape cod on this roundtrip getaway from new york city. Roege, pennsylvania station on seventh avenue, new york city, 1923. Take a ride through history on a tour of the worlds largest subway system.
The destruction of penn station one entered the city. The history press examines how the pennsylvania railroad built and lost its. For a detailed study of the demolition of penn station, check out the fall and rise of pennsylvania station. Craigs grandfather, arthur newman, started the bookshop in the original penn station in 1962. Widely known as one of the most beautiful stations in the world at its opening in 1910, the pennsylvania railway accomplished what few had imagined. Newyork historical society, photographs from new york city and beyond. Old penn station is a great book about an important piece of new york city history.
The 25 best books about new york city history brick underground. May 14, 2019 a new book from authorhistorian paul kaplan titled new yorks original penn station. Penn station, new york by louis stettner, hardcover. Though the history of new york city s preservation efforts began before the demolition of penn station, and in spite of the fact that new yorkers at the time may not have realized the magnanimity of the loss, the destruction of pennsylvania station would later become an important preservation icon that rallied people to action. A book of information, general of the world, and special of new york city and long island. Penn station hudson booksellers amtrak concourse, main rotunda, 33rd street side hudson news amtrak concourse, main rotunda, 33rd street side lower level near 123 subway entrance lower level. Penn books, a small independent bookstore locating in new yorks iconic penn station, is in trouble.
Photographers and their art provide the world the ability to gaze upon itself. Pennsylvania station, also known as new york penn station or penn station, is the main intercity railroad station in new york city and the busiest in the western hemisphere, serving more than 600,000 passengers per weekday as of 2019. For the adjacent subway stations, see 34th streetpenn station ind eighth avenue line and 34th street penn station irt broadwayseventh avenue line. The main entrance to penn station is located on 7th avenue between 31st and 33rd streets, but there are also entrances via subway stations on 34th street and 7th avenue and on 34th. Old penn station was the first train station to be built in nyc. March 18, 2015 penn books, penn stations excellent independent bookstore, needs help by alex shephard. Movies, films and books featuring new yorks pennsylvania. Penn station, new york by louis stettner puts on display stettners late 1950s photographs of the erstwhile stations breathtaking interiors, and what daily life. Remarkably, the shop survived the wrecking ball and reopened in the new penn station.
When penn station was a masterpiece behind the scenes. A large basement, with shops, newsstands and ticket booths, but still a basement. Though the history of new york citys preservation efforts began before the demolition of penn station, and in spite of the fact that new yorkers at the time may not have realized the magnanimity of the loss, the destruction of pennsylvania station would later become an. Although the forgotten ny camera is not vouchsafed to enter, both gothamist and untapped cities have entered the forbidden area and gotten more photos from this passageway from the early days of penn station. Midtown manhattan hotels our blog hotel pennsylvania.
Louis stettners penn station, new york is a stirring observation of life in the grand, old station of nyc. Museum of the city of new york new york public library. Most people who have commuted into new york city from new jersey or long island, or perhaps taken the train from other parts of the country like washington, boston, or chicago in the past 35 years, have thought of penn station as the basement under the felt forum on 33rd street. Its grandeur matched or exceeded that of grand central terminal, and was one of the architectural jewels of the city. The rise and tragic fall of an american landmark tells the story. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of books about new york citybroad overviews of its history, deep dives into topics like gentrification or. Penn station new york city attractions new york journey. Since its creation, the law has helped saved penn stations sister terminal, grand central, along with 30,000 other historic buildings around the city from destruction. Built in 2016, the property is within a 4 minutes walk of macys and and madison square garden. See over a dozen indoor and outdoor old station remnants hidden in plain. Served by dozens of rail lines, this underground complex sits below madison square, which is the home of nycs top professional sports teams.
According to wikipedia, the terminal is the thirdbusiest train station in north america, after new york penn station and toronto union station. Penn books, penn stations excellent independent bookstore. Nov 30, 2019 the mta is doing work in this area associated with the new 7th avenue penn station entranceway that is scheduled to open in 2021. Heres vanishing new york on the stores incredible history. Apr 24, 2019 there was a time when new york city had the gateway it deserved. Old penn station follows a very specific piece of new york city history, but its not just a new york book. Receive the latest news on the development of new yorks penn station and all related past, present, and future issues. The mta is doing work in this area associated with the new 7th avenue penn station entranceway that is scheduled to open in 2021. The authors research carefully addresses the whole history of the building, from construction to destruction, ending with an acknowledgment of its lasting legacy in terms of historical preservation. Pennsylvania station new york preservation archive project. With luck and craft and great heart, louis stettner has cataloged his series of photos of the nowgone penn station of 195758. See over a dozen indoor and outdoor oldstation remnants hidden in plain.
This book offers a moving and tragic account of the history, creation, and the ultimate demise of the original pennsylvania station in new york city. A new book from authorhistorian paul kaplan titled new yorks original penn station. They will also be featured in an exhibition at the pompidou center in paris next summer. Paul kaplan writes critically acclaimed books in three series. These were the years when penn station was demolished. Mar 11, 2019 new york city is unique, in the sense that in addition to the tremendous volume of inter city railroads coming into the city, it also has an enormous subway system, which was comingled with the other rails coming and going, and it was all underground, on any of seven different levels below the station. Penn station new york city 2020 all you need to know. A poetic look at penn station from louis stettner, one of the masters of street photography, published in book form for the first time.
Besides, new york city has enough glass buildings already in his opinion. Old penn station, manhattan, new york old new york city. The destruction of penn station one entered the city like. Train station station building with waiting room directions with more than half a million commuter and intercity passengers passing through its concourses every day, new york penn station is the busiest rail hub in north america and a gateway to the nations largest city. Consequently, in the mid1960s, the station was tragically destroyed. The agbany protesters including philip johnson and jane jacobs.
Photos of the old penn station before it was demolished. Jun 09, 2007 in her new book, conquering gotham, historian jill jonnes documents the drama behind the construction of new york city s old penn station. A narrative history of penn station and moynihan station. Penn station, new york by louis stettner goodreads. Mckim, mead and white architectural record collection. Explore the past, present, and future transit hubs of lower manhattan on a guided tour led by a licensed nyc tour guide. Louis stettner is one of the last living members of the avantgarde new york school of photography of the 1950s, which challenged many of the longaccepted foundations of art form. Apr 21, 2020 paul will talk about new york s original penn station, inspired by romes baths of caracalla and the gare dorsay in paris. Dec 11, 2015 penn station, new york by louis stettner puts on display stettners late 1950s photographs of the erstwhile station s breathtaking interiors, and what daily life looked like inside of its walls. In her new book, conquering gotham, historian jill jonnes documents the drama behind the construction of new york citys old penn station. The secrets of grand central terminal in new york city.
Dec, 2018 everyone agrees that new york s penn station is an utter disaster and embarrassment to the city. Popular new york history books meet your next favorite book. Its located at 42nd street and park avenue in midtown manhattan. The 10 best hotels close to penn station in new york. How the original new york penn station was a majestic beauxarts gem, built in rivalry with the vanderbilts, but was demolished in the 60s to make way for today. Travelers wait for train information in the amtrak terminal of new york penn station in may 2015. Paul will talk about new yorks original penn station, inspired by romes baths of caracalla and the gare dorsay in paris. Set in new york, renaissance new york midtown hotel features free wifi. New york, new york new york penn station feature area content link the city that never sleeps invites you to catch a show, walk the high lines elevated urban oasis or stroll the brooklyn bridge. A 1955 bar menu from the penn station restaurantbar. This book chronicles the story of penn station from the laying of the first tracks to its demise in the early 20th century when it was torn down. The 25 best books about the history of new york citys boroughs and.
The interior of penn station, 1935, by berenice abbott nypl enthusiasm is rising for the new penn station project, which would move madison square garden from its present location and bring out the train station from the basement, a payback of sorts by the municipal art society after the original penn station was torn down 50 years ago. Jun 21, 2012 most people who have commuted into new york city from new jersey or long island, or perhaps taken the train from other parts of the country like washington, boston, or chicago in the past 35 years, have thought of penn station as the basement under the felt forum on 33rd street. Penn station and the rise of historic preservation mcny. With more than half a million commuter and intercity passengers passing through its concourses every day, new york penn station is the busiest rail hub in north america and a gateway to the nations largest city. Mar 22, 2019 the interior of penn station, 1935, by berenice abbott nypl enthusiasm is rising for the new penn station project, which would move madison square garden from its present location and bring out the train station from the basement, a payback of sorts by the municipal art society after the original penn station was torn down 50 years ago.
When the old penn station was demolished, new york lost its. Pennsylvania station was a historic railroad station in new york city, named for the. Take a look at these photos of the original penn station, one of the last structures of neoclassical architecture in new york city, before it was torn down. This book opens a nostalgic window into its magical vastness, and mourns its. Bookstore boom at penn station the midtown gazette. How the original new york penn station was a majestic beauxarts gem, built in rivalry with the vanderbilts, but was demolished in the 60s to.
New york city is unique, in the sense that in addition to the tremendous volume of intercity railroads coming into the city, it also has an enormous subway system, which was comingled with the other rails coming and going, and it was all underground, on any of. Buy a cheap copy of old penn station book by william low. A holiday miracle has arrived early for local bookstores in penn station. How a train station transformed america, in which he presents a history of new may 2, 20 history of new york citys times square and coney island. After attending one of rebuilding penn stations events in new york city, i gathered that theres an aura of longing and wistfulness among those who experienced the original penn station, but. The station also connects to the new york city subway, penn plaza, and madison square garden, and is just a short walk from herald square in midtown manhattan. Get to know bostons rich history as one of the oldest cities in the united states and discover the captivating beauty of cape cod. In early twentiethcentury new york, few could have imagined a train terminal as grandiose as pennsylvania station. When the final bits of the facade fell in 1964, ada louise huxtable wrote in the new york times, the passing of penn station is more than the end of a landmark. This is a classic, beautiful book for history lovers, train lovers, and art lovers alike. Grand central terminal is a beautiful train station. Oct 06, 2015 louis stettners penn station, new york is a stirring observation of life in the grand, old station of nyc.
New york city itself is a true star in motherless brooklyn and one of the films great feats is the recreation of the lost penn station as it was in the 1950s. How a train station transformed america, sam roberts of the times goes behind the scenes at grand central terminal ahead of the centennial. It tells the simple, but poignent story of the destruction of the grand old pennsylvania station in new york, by a world entralled with the automobile and unable to see a future in passenger train travel. Penn station, new york by louis stettner, hardcover barnes. When the old penn station was demolished, new york lost. Louis stettner and the glories of penn station the new. The depot is ugly, cramped, dark, dangerous, difficult to navigate, and plagued by train delays. That means, when youre staying at the hotel penn, you have plenty of options for stuff to do near penn station. Welcome back to period dramas, a weekly column that. Borders, the big nationwide chain that threatened the future of penn books 40 yearold family business when it opened in 2006, decided to close 51 stores across the country in june 2011 after filing for bankruptcy in february, sending book buyers in the area back to this independent store. Jan, 2016 though penn station was not saved, its controversial demolition spurred the passage of the watershed 1965 new york landmarks law. Everyone agrees that new yorks penn station is an utter disaster and embarrassment to the city.
According to walkable, the city as a whole has a walk score of 85 out of 100. When it opens, we see soldieronleave robert walker ambling through the main waiting room and up the steps to the arcade in time to catch up with judy garland, who has ridden the escalator. Penn station having a central location in manhattan, penn station is by far the busiest transportation hub in new york city. An elegant symbol of turnofthecentury classicism, the station was designed by the preeminent architects of the.
There was a time when new york city had the gateway it deserved. A beautiful tribute to the glory of the original pennsylvania railroad station during the first half of the 20th century, the original pennsylvania station was one. Get a comprehensive history of the past, present and future of penn station. This article is about the original penn station building that existed in new york city between 1910 and 1963. The loss inspired the birth of preservation laws in the city and the nation that would save other landmarks like grand central. The secrets of grand central terminal in new york city the. New book documents the rise and tragic fall of nycs original. New york city is one of the most walkable cities in the world.
For the current station on the site, see pennsylvania station new york city. The original pennsylvania station was a historic railroad station, opened in 1910 and demolished a short 54 years later. The 25 best books about the history of new york citys boroughs. Author paul kaplan recounts the trials and triumphs of new yorks penn station.
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