Nice old pix of Chicago Union station

Nice, love the pictures of the concourse. Destruction of that is not QUITE as bad as tearing down Penn Station, they left the headhouse at least. But the result is another underground rabbit warren, arguably even more convoluted and crowded than Penn.

Really great set of shots, illustrating the station in action.

Interesting to see that back in the days when everyone wore hats, they wore their hats while they were inside the station, as in line to buy tickets. I recall as a kid, they were very insistent on teaching us that we had to take off our hats when we went inside. I guess being inside a train station wasn't considered "inside" back in those days. I now will wear a hat in the summer to keep the sun off my head, and I always feel weird when I walk inside WAS or BAL as part of my commute, probably because of the brainwashing I got at school. Of course, everybody who has a hat is wearing it inside, but what do we post JFK whippersnappers know about proper hat etiquette?

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Paul CHI said:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/photo/vintage/ct-vintage-union-station-photos-20150908-photogallery.html

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Great shots! Sure brings back fond memories of when I was a frequent traveler thru that facility, in the late sixties. Especially love the shots of the Concourse building. The 'Fred Harvey' sign outside was more prominent .than 'Union Station'....I love that shot of a Greyhound MC-5A 'Challenger' parked outside. Also remember that great Arrival and Departure board behind the information booth. One can see the strong resemblance of the architecture of the inside of the Concourse with that of Pennsylvania Station, New York.

Thanks so much for posting!

MARC Rider said:

Interesting to see that back in the days when everyone wore hats, they wore their hats while they were inside the station, as in line to buy tickets. I recall as a kid, they were very insistent on teaching us that we had to take off our hats when we went inside. I guess being inside a train station wasn't considered "inside" back in those days. I now will wear a hat in the summer to keep the sun off my head, and I always feel weird when I walk inside WAS or BAL as part of my commute, probably because of the brainwashing I got at school. Of course, everybody who has a hat is wearing it inside, but what do we post JFK whippersnappers know about proper hat etiquette?

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At least they train the Amtrak conductor's to remove their covers while passing through the dining car (unless collecting tickets). Or at least they did.....haven't been in one in quite a while.....

MARC Rider said:

Interesting to see that back in the days when everyone wore hats, they wore their hats while they were inside the station, as in line to buy tickets. I recall as a kid, they were very insistent on teaching us that we had to take off our hats when we went inside. I guess being inside a train station wasn't considered "inside" back in those days. I now will wear a hat in the summer to keep the sun off my head, and I always feel weird when I walk inside WAS or BAL as part of my commute, probably because of the brainwashing I got at school. Of course, everybody who has a hat is wearing it inside, but what do we post JFK whippersnappers know about proper hat etiquette?

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Though I'm a women and am allowed to wear a hat indoors I usually take off my hat when I go inside a building.

Indoor hats are the bane to my existence. Mother always said you could tell a decent man if he took off his hat. I am appalled at the number or men who are so classless as to wear headgear indoors. On of my favorite old local eateries used to ask you to remove them and even now that has gone to the wayside. The grandsons don't like it when I make them take their hats off in the house. thanks for listening to my rant,,,all better now

Those photographs are incredible. Thank you so much for sharing.

That concourse sure had a lot of headroom!

Here are some comments for the benefit of those who are more disoriented than I am. Those who are better oriented, please make corrections. My comments pertaining to the Harvey House are based on the "Hard Hat" tour of Union Station for Amtrak Train Day this past May.

5/47. The view is looking northeast on the Jackson Boulevard (south side) of the existing headhouse. The demolished concourse is a block distant on the right side of the picture.

6/47. This interior view is looking south. The passageway to the concourse is to the left. The future(?) Harvey House restaurant, site of a fire in 1980, is to the right.

9/47. Another view to the south, with a better view of the entrance to the Harvey House restaurant between the near columns on the right.

18.47. Besides wearing a hat indoors, the person next to the woman is smoking a cigarette, something a decent person would not do.

29/47. The view is facing southwest. The Men's Room is the current site of the Legacy Club lounge.

39/47. I assume the photographer is above street level, and the debris is at street level rather than track level. Can someone confirm this?

47/47. The fire was in the Harvey House restaurant.

Paul CHI, thanks for the link.

At least they train the Amtrak conductor's [sic] to remove their covers while passing through the dining car (unless collecting tickets). Or at least they did.....haven't been in one in quite a while.....

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On my round-the-country trip to the Gathering (trains 27, 11, 02, and 20), I believe I saw one conductor walk through a dining car covered. I saw many conductors carry their hats through dining cars.

If Amtrak got rid of all dining cars, then there would be no need to discuss this.