Columbus Union Station
1897-1977
In 1897, after two years of construction preceded by two years of planning, the new Columbus Union Station complex opened. It included a viaduct that took High Street over the station's railroad tracks, eliminating the dangerous High Street grade crossing. Shops and commercial spaces lined the viaduct and its approaches on the east side of High Street. In the 1900s, shops were added to the west side of High Street, completing the project.
The shops lining High Street, collectively referred to as the Union Station Arcade, blocked the view of the many railroad tracks clusterd around the station. The actual Arcade, with five shops, ran between the two imposing arches in the photo. The remaining shops, located along High Street, butted the sidewalk leaving no space for a covered arcade.
The new station building, much grander than the 1875 depot, was set back 300 feet from High Street. During construction, the 1875 train shed was upgraded with an eighth station track, the old depot headhouse was removed, and a 75-foot extension was added to the west end of the train shed. The architect located the new, more spacious station on the train shed's south side.
The Union Station complex, which included a viaduct, shops, and station, was designed by the architectural firm Daniel H. Burnham & Company of Chicago. Under the guidance of D. H. Burnham, many problems, such as the High Street grade crossing issue with Union Depot No. 2, were resolved, giving Columbus a railroad station complex that would serve the traveling public through two World Wars and until the end of railroad passenger service through Columbus.