Short answer why is it called Pennsylvania Station:
Pennsylvania Station was named after the Pennsylvania Railroad, which built and operated the station from 1910-1963. It served as a hub for intercity train travel and was one of the most iconic landmarks in New York City until it was demolished to make way for Madison Square Garden.
How Did Penn Station Get its Name? A Historical Investigation
The name “Penn Station” is undoubtedly one of the most recognized names among train stations in the United States. Occupying an entire block in New York City, Penn Station is a busy transportation hub serving tens of millions of passengers annually. However, many may wonder, “how did Penn Station get its name?” The answer to this question can be traced back to early 20th-century America.
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, railroads were booming in America. Trains provided a faster and more comfortable way to travel than horse-drawn carriages or wagons. With increased demand for rail travel came the need for larger and more modern train stations to accommodate the growing number of passengers.
One such station was built by the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) on Seventh Avenue between 31st and 33rd Streets in New York City. The PRR constructed the station in conjunction with plans to electrify their railroad lines into the city from Philadelphia. When it opened for service on September 8, 1910, it was known simply as “Pennsylvania Station.”
So why did the PRR choose to name their new station after their home state? The answer lies within the company’s history and culture.
The Pennsylvania Railroad was founded in Philadelphia in 1846 under the name “Pennsylvania Railroad Company.” As a company that originated in and primarily operated out of Pennsylvania, it made sense for them to use their state‘s name when naming their new grand station.
Additionally, at that time period, using a location’s geographical name as identification was common practice for companies. Other notable examples include Grand Central Terminal (located at Grand Central Street), Union Station (located where two railways intersect), and Waterloo International (located near Waterloo Road).
However, despite its grandeur and popularity over time, Penn Station had a relatively short lifespan. After only five decades due to rising costs off maintenance needs facing the deteriorating station, it was ordered to be demolished. The construction of Madison Square Garden above the current Penn Station in 1963 only succeeded in adding more regret to the demolition of the original building.
What still remains today is a new Penn Station with modern facilities and designs that though has been repeatedly criticized for being too cramped and confusingly uneven in its layouts. But no matter how much improvements are made or how many times its design is changed, the proud name “Penn Station” will remain as an homage to a time when rail travel was at its peak, and Pennsylvania Railroad was leading the charge towards electrification in America.
In conclusion, Penn Station’s name may seem self-explanatory, but it carries a rich history behind it. As one of America’s main railway companies and originating from Philadelphia nicknamed as “The Keystone State”, using their company’s foundation state’s name just felt right. Even if they were not originally from New York City or any part thereof. Today, thanks to those early decisions, we continue to refer to this New York landmark by that same familiar name.
Why is it Called Pennsylvania Station: A Comprehensive Step-by-Step Guide
Pennsylvania Station, commonly known as Penn Station, is a major transportation hub located in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. It serves as the terminal station for Amtrak and Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) trains while also being an intermediate stop for New Jersey Transit rail lines. The station is undoubtedly one of the busiest transportation hubs in the United States. It handles over 650,000 passengers every day and more than 1,300 trains every week.
But have you ever wondered why it’s actually called Pennsylvania Station? Why not New York Central or Grand Central Terminal or anything else that seems more fitting? Let’s delve into a comprehensive step-by-step guide to explore this question.
Step 1: A Quick History Lesson
Before we move further into the history of Penn Station’s name origin, let’s first understand how it came to existence.
Built by architects McKim Mead & White and opened on September 8th, 1910; Pennsylvania Station was intended to serve passengers traveling from the west side of Manhattan – which had previously only been served by ferries across the Hudson River. The original plans included covering roughly eight acres underground with sixteen tracks capable of serving up to 1000 trains per day. Undoubtedly, it was considered one of the most impressive feats of engineering in North America.
Step 2: Origin of Name
The iconic railway station was named after its primary tenant at that time – The Pennsylvania Railroad Company (PRR). In fact, Pennsylvania Railroad Company even paid for the entire construction cost which estimated $114 million ($3 billion today). Such an astronomical amount served as a reminder of PRR’s status as one of America’s leading railways during that era.
Step 3: Ownership Changes
PRR retained ownerships and operation rights for over five decades before their financial problems worsened due to increasing competition from other forms of transportation like planes and cars coming up with newer means for transportation. In 1961, the original Penn Station was demolished to make way for the planned Madison Square Garden complex.
Step 4: Getting Technical
After demolishing the original station, an entirely new one was built in its place underground – which is still called Penn Station today. It took over seven years and $302 million (approx. $2 billion today) to complete it. With a total of 21 tracks and eleven platforms situated at two levels beneath ground, there is no doubt that this new Penn Station commands respect as one of the busiest transportation hubs in the world.
Step 5: The Rise of Madison Square Garden
After demolishing the original station, Madison Square Garden was established atop the historical hotspot previously occupied by Pennsylvania Railroad tracks leading to their former station. As a result, the area around Penn Station had become contaminated with various pollutants and congestions due to restricted space – preventing any efforts for expansion or further advancements in its time.
Step 6: Demolition of Madison Square Garden?
There have been several attempts over recent decades – including those from Senator
Your Top Questions Answered: The Penn Station Naming FAQ
Penn Station, one of New York City’s busiest transportation hubs, is a landmark known by many. But with its various names and references, it may leave some wondering what its proper name actually is. To help clear up any confusion you may have, we’ve gathered answers to the top frequently asked questions regarding Penn Station’s naming history.
What Is Penn Station?
Penn Station is a multi-level train station located in Midtown Manhattan at 7th Avenue between West 31st and West 33rd Streets. It serves as a transportation hub for Amtrak intercity trains, commuter rail services from Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and New Jersey Transit (NJ Transit), and subway lines operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).
What Was The Original Name For Penn Station?
The original name for Penn Station was Pennsylvania Station. It was named after the Pennsylvania Railroad Company who were responsible for commissioning its construction in the early 20th century.
Why Did They Rename It From Pennsylvania Station to Just Penn Station?
In 1963, the original Beaux-Arts-style building that housed Pennsylvania Station was demolished and replaced with its current glass-and-steel structure. Due to budgetary reasons, it was decided to do away with elaborate architectural detailing on account of cost savings that would be incurred if plain features were incorporated instead. As a result, there was no longer any need to refer to it as “Pennsylvania” since the original structure was already gone; henceforth, it became known simply as “Penn.”
What Are Some Other Names Associated With Penn Station?
With over half a million daily passenger trips in and out of this bustling hub each day, there have been numerous changes over time which have led people to refer to different sections or terminals within the megastation using their own names e.g.: LIRR Concourse – This part of Penn station connects commuters on Long Island Rail Road services their trains bound for Long Island. It is the busiest of Penn Station’s sections and known for its crowded platforms and tunnels. Amtrak section – As the name implies, this terminal serves visitors traveling on intercity Amtrak services. There is no shortage of references to Penn Station in popular culture either. It frequently comes up in songs, TV shows, movies, books, and even games!
Why Do Some People Refer To The Entire Area as “Pennsylvania Station”?
It’s actually quite simple – the entirety of what we know as “Penn station” is located beneath Madison Square Garden which was deemed by the city in 1966 to represent a symbol of economic importance especially after protests ensured when an earlier structure (above ground) was demolished. Madison Square Garden’s building complex is named after the Pennsylvania Railroad Company who not only commissioned Penn station but also owned both it and the land above it until 1960.
Is There Any Plans To Change Penn Station’s Name Back To “Pennsylvania Station” Some Day?
While proposals to give back its historic name have been proposed over time, nothing solid has