As The Largest Passenger Rail Terminal In The Western US, L.A.’s Opulent Train Station Is A Gem Hidden In Plain Sight

Union Station is Los Angeles’s main railway station, renowned for its lavish architecture and key role in the city’s public transit system. And while the terminal continues to serve 110,000 people per day , it may be easy to forget that Union Station is widely considered “the last of the great railway stations” in the United States. How much do you know about the history of this outstanding L.A. landmark? History of Union Station ------------------------ Union Station opened in 1939 as the Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal, developed to consolidate the city’s major rail services in one place. This is how the Santa Fe, Southern Pacific, and Union Pacific rail lines came to unite under one grand terminal, whose opulent architecture honors the city’s prosperity and significance on the national stage. Father-son architectural duo John and Donald Parkinson designed Union Station with a combination of Art Deco, Mission Revival, Spanish Colonial, and Streamline Moderne styles. The Grand Waiting Room is no doubt the station’s most impressive feature, whose coffered wooden ceilings, dazzling chandeliers, and opulent mahogany seating remain largely unchanged since its early days. These elements have earned Union Station a spot on the prestigious National Register of Historic Places since 1980. Even if you’ve never been inside Union Station yourself, you may recognize it from major **Hollywood cameos** over the years. It’s been the site of police headquarters in *Blade Runner* (1982), the kangaroo court in *The Dark Knight Rises* (2012), a thrilling chase sequence in *Catch Me If You Can* (2002), and emotional farewell scenes in *Pearl Harbor* (2001). Union Station today ------------------- More than 8 decades after it first opened, Union Station continues to be the busiest railroad station in the Western United States. It’s a central hub for Metrolink, Metro Rail, light rail, and dozens of regional bus lines. That’s not to mention numerous Amtrak long-distance and regional trains , including the Coast Starlight and Pacific Surfliner. In addition to its key role as a regional transit hub, Union Station is also a vibrant venue for community events celebrating art and culture. From live DJ sets courtesy of KCRW Summer Nights, to periodic festivals and pop-ups, it’s worth having an eye on their event calendar. Union Station is located in Downtown L.A., near other historic city landmarks like Olvera Street, the Angel’s Flight Railway, and the Cecil Hotel. 📍 Location : 800 N Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012 🗓️ Hours : Open daily from 4am to 1am 🌐 Website : Union Station Los Angeles Source: https://secretlosangeles.com/union-station-los-angeles-history/