Main Street Station

Main Street Station (c. 1971)

Main Street Station (c. 2016)

Site Name: Amtrak Main Street Station

Date of Construction: 1901

Reason for Construction: This historic site provided a union station for two major railroads, the Seaboard Air Line (SAL) Railroad, running north and south, and the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Railroad, running east and west

Site History: Ever since the Main Street Station opened in 1901, it has been one of downtown Richmond’s most visible landmarks. It was originally built to connect to railroads, the Seaboard Air Line, going north and south, and the Chesapeake and Ohio, going east and west. The station was originally designed by three famous railroad terminal specialists, Wilson, Harris, and Richards, from Philadelphia in 1898. However, the economic hardships resulting from the Spanish-American War in 1898 delayed the construction, and the station wasn’t able to open its doors until November 27, 1901. The station was a success and was even recognized and added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1970. However, when Hurricane Agnes hit in 1972 and caused the James River to flood the first floor of the station, the station experienced a huge decline in passenger rail service. This led to passenger service being discontinued on October 15, 1975, exactly 5 years after it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. But on the bright side, the station was not completely abandoned. In 1983, the SWA Development Corporation bought the station in hopes of turning the station into a shopping mall. But again, the opening of the shopping was delayed by two years, this time by a fire, which destroyed the entire upper floors and roof of the station. Even after the shopping mall was opened in 1985, it was unsuccessful and had to close short after.

The station's restoration began in 1991 when the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act was passed, highlighting the preservation of existing transportation systems before construction of new ones. This act served to be the initiative that began the Main Street Station reconstruction in August 2001, and it opened its doors again in 2003. Improvements are still being made and the station is looking to integrate upgrades to the station, including bus, trolleys, airport shuttles, and taxis.

Area of Construction: The station served as a connection between the southern capital and the greater Northeast Corridor with a north suburban stop at the Staples Mill station in the Henrico County suburbs. Located in Virginia, which was in the Confederate side of the Civil War, it served as an evidence that transportation in the South was growing and accounted for by the government.

The station is located in an area in downtown Richmond, called Shockoe Bottom, which is one of the city's oldest neighborhoods. Shockoe Bottom began to develop in the late 18th century due to the move of the Virginia capital to Richmond and the construction of Mayo's bridge across the James River. Shockoe Bottom was well- known for its commerce because of ships in the James River ports transporting goods, which was why it was an appropriate place for the station to be built on a century later.

What about the site has changed?: The site has gone through many physical renovations due to natural disasters. Also, the role of station changed a lot throughout its history, including railway station, shopping mall, nightclub, and a museum.

What about the surrounding area has changed?: Downtown Richmond has gone through a lot of renovation in the past century. As of now, there is a highway to the right of the station, and in the background, few high-rise buildings can be spotted. The Shockoe Bottom was well known for its commerce through the James River, but throughout the last two decades of the 20th century, Shockoe Bottom area became a major entertainment and arts district. Massive old tobacco warehouses were converted into art galleries and studios. Other constructions were built to prevent the frequent flooding of the James River, such as the James River Flood Wall. In mid 1990's, Richmond experienced a population boom when old tobacco warehouses were turned into apartments.

Reflection: The Main Street Station shows how even through numerous circumstances of hardships, it managed to pull through. It still serves as a transportation system, and it just shows how vital transportation and communication was in the American History. My school bus drives past the Main Street Station everyday, but I did not know it was a significant, historical site. I'm glad I got the opportunity learn more about the station's history and functions, and now I can appreciate its greatness everytime I pass the station. Another thing I got out of this Rephotography project is that beauty can come out from anywhere. The surrounding location of the station isn't the most pleasing nor the most beautiful, but out of it, there stands a grand station that captures the attention of anyone who walks by. I had trouble finding the station at first because I did not anticipate it being in such a place, but through this experience, I learned that the history of a building defines its greatness, rather than the physical appearance or the surrounding area of a building.

Sources: 

• “Great American Stations." The Great American Station. Accessed February 18, 2016. http://www.greatamericanstations.com/Stations/RVM.
• "Richmond, VA." Richmond City Government. Accessed March 16, 2016. http://www.richmondgov.com/MainStreetStation/.
• "RMTA :: Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority :: Main Street Station :: History." Accessed March 16, 2016. http://www.rmaonline.org/mainsthistory.html.

Author: William Kang