The New Haven Union Station is a major Connecticut train stations providing passenger rail service to Boston(Amtrak), New York City (Amtrak and Metro North), Hartford (Hartford Line), and smaller stations in between. I recently rode the rails into NYC and was utterly surprised by the architecture and beauty of the station.
Brief History
Quick synopsis from station’s web site and Wikipedia:
- Designed by architect Cass Gilbert, whom also designed such well-known buildings as Woolworth Building, US Supreme Court Building, Minnesota State Capital, Alexander Hamilton US Custom House and many more including, purportedly, my home.
- First opened in 1920 to replace the previous station which burned down in 1918.
- Shuttered in 1973 as the post-World War II decline in passenger rail led to a neglected building. Only the platforms remained opened.
- Added to National Registry of Historic Places in 1975 (after the building was closed!).
- Re-opened to passengers in 1985 after a two year restoration project.
- Another round of renovations proposed in 2026 to occur in 2029-203 if funding secured.
Station Concourse
The concourse is an airy, well-lit space with plenty of marble and wood. The ceiling contains a repeating concentric-circle pattern with large windows allowing the waiting area to be naturally lit as daylight permits, with large art-deco lamps hanging from the ceiling. One long wall are ticket windows (unnecessary in today’s digital world), opposite are exterior doors and retail stories. The middle is dominated by benches for passengers awaiting their train, gently enforced by a pleasant man checking for tickets. Despite its size, it feels like a venerated grand station from the glory days of US or European rail travel.
Getting To Your Train
Stairs and escalators at the north-eastern end of the station taking you below street level to a tunnel that leads to the four platforms. Composed of strips of shiny metal, the tunnel is somewhat jarring compared to the rest of the station. Video monitors are available to confirm the track you’re looking for; additional signage directs you to the corresponding platform.
Final Thoughts
A historical gem, fortunately avoiding the fate of Penn Station, Minneapolis Great Northern Depot, Chicago Grand Central Station, Birmingham Terminal Station, and others demolished by short-sighted civic and business leaders. Granted, rail travel is only viewed as an anachronistic, alternative form of travel for most, but today historical buildings are much better protected to avoid destruction.
True, New Haven Union Station is not on the scale of the great railroad stations of the early 20th century, but its beauty shows the then-importance of rail travel to the nation.
Image Credits
- All images © 2026, Scott C Sosna, all rights reserved.
