The invention of railroads was one of the most important breakthroughs in the history of travel. Suddenly, an average resident had an opportunity to travel long distances for a comparatively small fee, and cities could connect to one another easier and faster. While many consider trains to be an antique, something outdone by the comfort and speed of air travel, they still played a significant role in the creation of modern society. Yet train stations and commuter rail terminals fulfill more than the mere functional necessity, but also an artistic and cultural role. It needs to give a taste of the city to the arriving guests and returning residents before they even leave its grounds and enter the rest of the city.
Grand Central Terminal is one of the most significant train terminals in New York City. Its roots go back to 1871 when the first terminal was built here, known as the Grand Central Depot (Grand by Design: A History of Grand Central Terminal). It was eventually rebuilt in the Beaux-Arts style as the Grand Central Terminal, and it has stayed this way ever since (Grand by Design: A History of Grand Central Terminal). Beautiful piece of architecture and a valuable part of American history: its large scale and busy nature represent the city perfectly with various events, and places to rest and dine for the visitors. To me, it is a great symbol of New York City’s growth, history, and influence as it brings hundreds of thousands of people each year to marvel at its beauty. Grand Central Terminal is a lavish, historically significant, and culturally rich station that represents the orderly yet chaotic role of the railroads in the country, as well as the city it is located.
Work Cited
“Grand by Design: A History of Grand Central Terminal.” Grand Central.