Knowledge (XXG)

Waterbury Union Station

Source 📝

519: 55: 384: 287: 1255: 833: 173: 485: 1262: 511:, was meant to symbolize the city's prosperity and the railroads' importance to it. As many as 66 passenger trains served Waterbury at the peak of its traffic. The firm's design is different from its typically academic style in its efforts to unite the interior and exterior through similar materials and decorative themes, as well as the 596:
passengers as a waiting area; since then that portion of the interior has been closed off and a new platform built. In 1973, Pape assigned company machinist John A. Correia to restore the original mechanisms of the station clock tower, which had been replaced by an electrical tower clock in 1963. The
375:
of seven rounded arches. Each is slightly recessed, with a rectangular window. On the north wing's east facade, windows have been added to the previously blind arch portion to provide illumination for the second story. A simpler version of the main block cornice, with dentils and cyma molding at the
500:
program to clear the way for a newer, larger station they all needed. Streets were straightened and buildings demolished in the neighborhood to the east. A small park replaced some of them. All grade crossings in the city were eliminated as part of the project.
1421: 207:, it handled 66 passenger trains a day at its peak. Later in the 20th century, when the city's rail service had declined to its current level of one commuter route, the building's interior was closed. Today it is in use again as the offices of the 339:
The lower two stages of the square tower have one narrow opening and the same cornices as the rest of the main block. Above its roofline the tower is plain for most of its 240-foot (73 m) height, except for some rows of small openings. The
327:
and projecting leaf molding. The level above has a series of small rectangular windows, three above each arch and one above each medallion. At the roofline is a cornice similar to the one below but more intricate, with carved modillions, a
1234: 1219: 1426: 1229: 1224: 1209: 606: 1214: 1182: 546:, believes that model was chosen as a deliberate rebuke to architectural amateurs such as the rail executive. The clock tower dominated the city's skyline then and continues to do so today, when most travelers arrive in the city via 823: 1244: 1239: 1311: 1332: 391:
A printing press was added to the north wing to support the newspaper. It is small and architecturally sympathetic, lessening the impact of its disruption of the building's overall symmetry. On the west of the south wing is a
1301: 1291: 1276: 1296: 1281: 1306: 1286: 1316: 448:
and other architecturally significant buildings. The window surrounds have similarly lavish decorations as the exterior, with two bands of terra cotta separated by dentils done in leaves and pearl molding. The
1396: 1175: 557:, representing another industry identified with the city and region, built new headquarters across Meadow Street from the station. Its architecture closely harmonized in size and material with the station. 298:
of the main block are three two-story round-arched window openings, filled in near the top where a new floor was later added. They are outlined in terra cotta in a stylized vine pattern, bordered by pearl,
1406: 1195: 1168: 1431: 1401: 566:
and several unnamed trains operated east to Hartford and Boston until 1955. The company also operated trains northeast from New York City, through Waterbury, to New Britain and Hartford. The
515:
echoing the arches of the windows. The light reflecting off the warm interior colors through the large arched windows of the main facade made the building particularly welcoming at night.
468:
The south wing's interior, originally a restaurant, remained in use as a waiting room. Inside it has some original decor suggesting that purpose. They include brass ticket windows, a long
962: 1360: 1355: 903: 1337: 420:
to accommodate its purposes. Most prominently, the main block and north wing have had a second story added. In the offices on the new second floor some of the original
860: 1436: 992: 1441: 264:
with the clock tower rising from the southeast corner. Two wings with a tiled hip roof project from either side of the main block. All are of brick laid in
1007: 972: 1072: 493: 204: 84: 1365: 54: 589:
Publisher William J. Pape purchased the building because of its status as a local landmark. At that time the south wing was still being used by
1115: 997: 977: 1416: 1191: 1089: 982: 949: 893: 853: 684: 226: 41: 828: 176:
The Waterbury Union Station building clock tower is in Waterbury, Connecticut, on Wednesday, October 5, 2022. (Photo by Ted Shaffrey)
574:. Service declined and then stopped in the later decades of the 20th century. The last commercial service out the station was by the 404:
at the south end, formerly the baggage handling area, is now a default waiting area for Metro-North passengers in inclement weather.
1391: 553:
In summer 1909, the completed station was opened. As intended, it catalyzed development in the neighborhood. A few years later, the
530:
A year after construction began, the president of one of the railroads asked for a clock tower, given Waterbury's proximity to the
1067: 1033: 237:
and its parking facilities. On the west are 12 tracks, most of which are rarely used; beyond them are industrial buildings, the
1045: 846: 230: 1411: 1120: 1039: 1082: 383: 246: 229:, where Meadow and Grand streets intersect. To its north and south are other industrial buildings; southwest is the 1002: 492:
In the early years of the 20th century, the city of Waterbury, then prosperous and growing, began working with the
957: 272: 1077: 1062: 531: 371:
Both wings are similar. They are narrower than the main building, with east and west facades decorated with an
280: 193: 307:
molding. Spacing them are four round medallions made of two rings of raised radial brick and a raised ring of
188:, Connecticut, United States. It is a brick building dating to the first decade of the 20th century. Its tall 1110: 888: 518: 508: 469: 1160: 702: 1350: 923: 869: 554: 504: 401: 377: 329: 286: 185: 135: 68: 1370: 967: 913: 908: 689: 433: 372: 312: 200: 260:
There are four sections to the building, counting the clock tower. The two-story main block has a low
898: 883: 590: 523: 462: 333: 276: 234: 172: 1141: 484: 429: 242: 209: 547: 665: 1027: 715: 17: 782: 659: 611: 535: 222: 336:
molding. The west facade is similar, although smaller windows and awnings have been added.
1094: 512: 445: 425: 421: 238: 560:
The station continued to be used for intercity rail service to the city. The New Haven's
441: 918: 818: 732: 562: 417: 156: 1385: 593: 571: 497: 345: 341: 660:"National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Waterbury Union Station" 575: 450: 437: 300: 597:
original mechanism is still functioning, on display in the lobby of the station.
348:, are three-quarters of the way to the top. They and the clock hands are in cast 987: 368:, has tall round-arched windows, another set of gargoyles and a tiled hip roof. 189: 72: 607:
National Register of Historic Places listings in New Haven County, Connecticut
585:
moved into the building, modifying it on the inside and out for that purpose.
365: 99: 86: 473: 304: 265: 1422:
Railway stations on the National Register of Historic Places in Connecticut
771:'Official Guide of the Railways,' August 1949, New Haven section, Table 30 705:, a private website serving up public domain National Register information 838: 762:'Official Guide of the Railways,' August 1949, New Haven section, Table 5 458: 361: 357: 349: 261: 400:
on center posts and cables from the building. A shed roof on large iron
454: 353: 269: 249: 1427:
National Register of Historic Places in New Haven County, Connecticut
703:
New Haven County Listings on the National Register of Historic Places
324: 320: 316: 308: 295: 245:
freeway. A short distance down Meadow Street are the on-ramps to the
539: 517: 483: 397: 393: 382: 285: 171: 679: 1164: 842: 476:
and sills. Its vaulted ceiling and walls are done in plaster.
581:
In the 1970s one of the two newspapers that later became the
396:
remnant of the original platform shelter, supported by iron
667:
Accompanying eight photos, exterior and interior, from 1976
570:
and other NH trains went north to Winsted and south toward
1397:
Former New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad stations
721:. October 3, 1907. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com. 534:
plant. McKim obliged with one based on the 14th-century
819:
Waterbury Union Station (Great Railroad Stations Index)
824:
Station and Station House from Google Maps Street View
1407:
Railway stations in the United States opened in 1909
199:
Designed by the New York City architectural firm of
184:
building is located on Meadow Street in the city of
1356:
History of the National Register of Historic Places
1325: 1269: 1202: 1133: 1103: 1055: 1020: 948: 932: 876: 829:
Waterbury circa 1940's--Library Park/ Train Station
542:, Italy. Architectural historian Carroll Meeks, in 488:
The previous station shortly before it was replaced
162: 149: 141: 131: 123: 115: 78: 64: 1432:Railroad stations in New Haven County, Connecticut 1402:Buildings and structures in Waterbury, Connecticut 800:Bologna, Sando (17 August 1975). "A Ton of Time". 380:-like appearance to the piers between the arches. 252:carrying it over the river, tracks and Route 8. 544:The Railroad Station: An Architectural History 522:Clock tower dominating Waterbury skyline from 364:project from each corner. The last stage, the 1176: 993:Enoch Hibbard House and George Granniss House 854: 472:wooden bench, iron radiator grill and marble 8: 653: 651: 649: 647: 465:molding done in a stylized floral pattern. 1183: 1169: 1161: 1100: 945: 861: 847: 839: 645: 643: 641: 639: 637: 635: 633: 631: 629: 627: 53: 1192:U.S. National Register of Historic Places 789:. p. A-1 – via Newspapers.com. 783:"Old railroad depots take on new careers" 781:O'Connell, Richard W. (August 18, 1968). 205:New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad 196:, is the city's most prominent landmark. 42:U.S. National Register of Historic Places 753:New Haven April 1955 timetable, Table 18 623: 526:as it approaches the city from the west 432:. These tiles are the same used at the 352:. Above long tapered corbels support a 1437:Former railway stations in Connecticut 735:. Mattatuck Consulting, LLC. 2001–2008 716:"Annual Report of N.Y., N.H. & H." 680:"National Register Information System" 25: 658:Clouette, Bruce (November 19, 1976). 496:and other railroads serving it on an 453:brick walls likewise has a dentilled 145:Late 19th & 20th Century Revivals 7: 983:Downtown Waterbury Historic District 894:Downtown Waterbury Historic District 685:National Register of Historic Places 1442:Union stations in the United States 507:'s design, extravagant in size and 14: 1260: 1253: 1034:Northeast Transportation Company 319:table topped by egg-and-dart, a 213:, Waterbury's daily newspaper. 344:faces on each side, marked in 151: 59:Tower and east elevation, 2011 1: 1036:(Waterbury Local Bus Service) 963:Bank Street Historic District 461:-and-ring turning and a wide 16:For the current station, see 1083:Waterbury Arts Magnet School 315:of terra cotta round-arched 275:; at the roofline is a roll 23:United States historic place 1417:Clock towers in Connecticut 1338:National Historic Landmarks 424:, with large light-colored 387:West (rear) elevation, 2009 376:arches' springline, give a 360:shields on its stone rail. 1458: 1003:Lewis Fulton Memorial Park 904:Hillside Historic District 834:rear of station circa 1920 15: 1346: 1251: 1151: 958:George S. Abbott Building 150:NRHP reference  52: 48: 39: 32: 28: 1392:Towers completed in 1909 1153:This list is incomplete. 1078:Waterbury Career Academy 1063:Waterbury Public Schools 1040:Waterbury–Oxford Airport 662:. National Park Service. 231:current platform station 225:is located just west of 142:Architectural style 119:2.4 acres (0.97 ha) 1111:Chase Collegiate School 940:Waterbury Union Station 505:McKim, Mead & White 332:frieze and wide carved 182:Waterbury Union Station 136:McKim, Mead & White 34:Waterbury Union Station 1351:Keeper of the Register 870:Waterbury, Connecticut 555:American Brass Company 550:instead of the train. 527: 489: 388: 291: 177: 1412:Towers in Connecticut 1371:Contributing property 1270:Lists by city or town 1121:Waterbury Catholic HS 968:Benedict-Miller House 804:. No. Section 6. 802:The Sunday Republican 690:National Park Service 521: 487: 434:Boston Public Library 386: 289: 201:McKim, Mead and White 175: 100:41.55500°N 73.04694°W 311:molding. Above is a 294:On the east (front) 1142:Republican-American 587:Republican-American 583:Republican-American 578:railroad company. 430:herringbone pattern 414:Republican-American 243:Connecticut Route 8 210:Republican-American 194:Seth Thomas Company 105:41.55500; -73.04694 96: /  1073:John F. Kennedy HS 1008:Riverside Cemetery 733:"Waterbury Trains" 548:interstate highway 528: 490: 389: 292: 290:Clock tower detail 227:downtown Waterbury 178: 1379: 1378: 1366:Historic district 1158: 1157: 1129: 1128: 1046:Waterbury Airport 1028:Waterbury station 1016: 1015: 973:Beth El Synagogue 692:. March 13, 2009. 170: 169: 18:Waterbury station 1449: 1264: 1263: 1257: 1256: 1185: 1178: 1171: 1162: 1101: 946: 863: 856: 849: 840: 806: 805: 797: 791: 790: 778: 772: 769: 763: 760: 754: 751: 745: 744: 742: 740: 729: 723: 722: 719:Hartford Courant 712: 706: 700: 694: 693: 676: 670: 663: 655: 612:Torre del Mangia 536:Torre del Mangia 457:with an engaged 223:station building 153: 111: 110: 108: 107: 106: 101: 97: 94: 93: 92: 89: 57: 26: 1457: 1456: 1452: 1451: 1450: 1448: 1447: 1446: 1382: 1381: 1380: 1375: 1342: 1321: 1265: 1261: 1259: 1258: 1254: 1249: 1203:Lists by county 1198: 1189: 1159: 1154: 1147: 1125: 1116:Sacred Heart HS 1099: 1095:Post University 1051: 1030:(Train Service) 1012: 944: 928: 872: 867: 815: 810: 809: 799: 798: 794: 780: 779: 775: 770: 766: 761: 757: 752: 748: 738: 736: 731: 730: 726: 714: 713: 709: 701: 697: 678: 677: 673: 657: 656: 625: 620: 603: 513:vaulted ceiling 482: 446:Biltmore Estate 426:Guastavino tile 422:vaulted ceiling 410: 258: 239:Naugatuck River 219: 192:, built by the 104: 102: 98: 95: 90: 87: 85: 83: 82: 60: 44: 35: 24: 21: 12: 11: 5: 1455: 1453: 1445: 1444: 1439: 1434: 1429: 1424: 1419: 1414: 1409: 1404: 1399: 1394: 1384: 1383: 1377: 1376: 1374: 1373: 1368: 1363: 1361:Property types 1358: 1353: 1347: 1344: 1343: 1341: 1340: 1335: 1329: 1327: 1323: 1322: 1320: 1319: 1314: 1309: 1304: 1299: 1294: 1289: 1284: 1279: 1273: 1271: 1267: 1266: 1252: 1250: 1248: 1247: 1242: 1237: 1232: 1227: 1222: 1217: 1212: 1206: 1204: 1200: 1199: 1190: 1188: 1187: 1180: 1173: 1165: 1156: 1155: 1152: 1149: 1148: 1146: 1145: 1137: 1135: 1131: 1130: 1127: 1126: 1124: 1123: 1118: 1113: 1107: 1105: 1098: 1097: 1092: 1087: 1086: 1085: 1080: 1075: 1070: 1059: 1057: 1053: 1052: 1050: 1049: 1043: 1037: 1031: 1024: 1022: 1021:Transportation 1018: 1017: 1014: 1013: 1011: 1010: 1005: 1000: 995: 990: 985: 980: 975: 970: 965: 960: 954: 952: 943: 942: 936: 934: 930: 929: 927: 926: 921: 919:Town Plot Hill 916: 911: 906: 901: 896: 891: 886: 880: 878: 874: 873: 868: 866: 865: 858: 851: 843: 837: 836: 831: 826: 821: 814: 813:External links 811: 808: 807: 792: 773: 764: 755: 746: 724: 707: 695: 671: 622: 621: 619: 616: 615: 614: 609: 602: 599: 481: 478: 409: 406: 346:Roman numerals 257: 254: 218: 215: 168: 167: 164: 160: 159: 154: 147: 146: 143: 139: 138: 133: 129: 128: 125: 121: 120: 117: 113: 112: 80: 76: 75: 66: 62: 61: 58: 50: 49: 46: 45: 40: 37: 36: 33: 30: 29: 22: 13: 10: 9: 6: 4: 3: 2: 1454: 1443: 1440: 1438: 1435: 1433: 1430: 1428: 1425: 1423: 1420: 1418: 1415: 1413: 1410: 1408: 1405: 1403: 1400: 1398: 1395: 1393: 1390: 1389: 1387: 1372: 1369: 1367: 1364: 1362: 1359: 1357: 1354: 1352: 1349: 1348: 1345: 1339: 1336: 1334: 1331: 1330: 1328: 1324: 1318: 1315: 1313: 1312:West Hartford 1310: 1308: 1305: 1303: 1300: 1298: 1295: 1293: 1290: 1288: 1285: 1283: 1280: 1278: 1275: 1274: 1272: 1268: 1246: 1243: 1241: 1238: 1236: 1233: 1231: 1228: 1226: 1223: 1221: 1218: 1216: 1213: 1211: 1208: 1207: 1205: 1201: 1197: 1193: 1186: 1181: 1179: 1174: 1172: 1167: 1166: 1163: 1150: 1144: 1143: 1139: 1138: 1136: 1132: 1122: 1119: 1117: 1114: 1112: 1109: 1108: 1106: 1102: 1096: 1093: 1091: 1090:Holy Cross HS 1088: 1084: 1081: 1079: 1076: 1074: 1071: 1069: 1066: 1065: 1064: 1061: 1060: 1058: 1054: 1048:(in Plymouth) 1047: 1044: 1041: 1038: 1035: 1032: 1029: 1026: 1025: 1023: 1019: 1009: 1006: 1004: 1001: 999: 998:Hamilton Park 996: 994: 991: 989: 986: 984: 981: 979: 978:Bishop School 976: 974: 971: 969: 966: 964: 961: 959: 956: 955: 953: 951: 947: 941: 938: 937: 935: 931: 925: 922: 920: 917: 915: 912: 910: 907: 905: 902: 900: 897: 895: 892: 890: 887: 885: 882: 881: 879: 875: 871: 864: 859: 857: 852: 850: 845: 844: 841: 835: 832: 830: 827: 825: 822: 820: 817: 816: 812: 803: 796: 793: 788: 784: 777: 774: 768: 765: 759: 756: 750: 747: 734: 728: 725: 720: 717: 711: 708: 704: 699: 696: 691: 687: 686: 681: 675: 672: 669: 668: 661: 654: 652: 650: 648: 646: 644: 642: 640: 638: 636: 634: 632: 630: 628: 624: 617: 613: 610: 608: 605: 604: 600: 598: 595: 594:commuter rail 592: 588: 584: 579: 577: 573: 572:New York City 569: 565: 564: 558: 556: 551: 549: 545: 541: 537: 533: 525: 520: 516: 514: 510: 506: 502: 499: 498:urban renewal 495: 486: 479: 477: 475: 471: 470:Mission style 466: 464: 460: 456: 452: 447: 443: 439: 435: 431: 427: 423: 419: 415: 407: 405: 403: 399: 395: 385: 381: 379: 374: 369: 367: 363: 359: 355: 351: 347: 343: 342:station clock 337: 335: 331: 326: 322: 318: 314: 310: 306: 302: 297: 288: 284: 282: 278: 274: 271: 267: 263: 255: 253: 251: 248: 247:Interstate 84 244: 240: 236: 232: 228: 224: 216: 214: 212: 211: 206: 202: 197: 195: 191: 187: 183: 174: 166:March 8, 1978 165: 163:Added to NRHP 161: 158: 155: 148: 144: 140: 137: 134: 130: 126: 122: 118: 114: 109: 81: 77: 74: 70: 67: 63: 56: 51: 47: 43: 38: 31: 27: 19: 1140: 939: 801: 795: 787:Boston Globe 786: 776: 767: 758: 749: 737:. Retrieved 727: 718: 710: 698: 683: 674: 666: 586: 582: 580: 576:Penn Central 567: 561: 559: 552: 543: 529: 503: 491: 467: 442:Grant's Tomb 438:Ellis Island 418:made changes 413: 412:Inside, the 411: 390: 370: 338: 301:egg-and-dart 293: 259: 220: 208: 198: 181: 179: 1326:Other lists 1302:Southington 1196:Connecticut 1042:(in Oxford) 988:Elton Hotel 889:Bunker Hill 591:Metro-North 532:Seth Thomas 281:terra cotta 266:common bond 235:Metro-North 190:clock tower 103: / 79:Coordinates 73:Connecticut 1386:Categories 1292:Middletown 1277:Bridgeport 1235:New London 1220:Litchfield 924:Waterville 739:January 3, 618:References 509:decoration 474:baseboards 273:foundation 88:41°33′18″N 1297:New Haven 1282:Greenwich 1230:New Haven 1225:Middlesex 1210:Fairfield 1068:Crosby HS 1056:Education 933:Landmarks 914:South End 909:North End 568:Naugatuck 494:New Haven 362:Gargoyles 358:heraldric 305:anthemion 186:Waterbury 132:Architect 91:73°2′49″W 69:Waterbury 1307:Stamford 1287:Hartford 1215:Hartford 899:East End 884:Brooklyn 601:See also 459:baluster 408:Interior 402:brackets 350:aluminum 262:hip roof 256:Exterior 241:and the 233:used by 217:Building 203:for the 157:78002881 65:Location 1333:Bridges 1317:Windsor 1245:Windham 1240:Tolland 480:History 455:cornice 398:trusses 378:capital 354:balcony 325:cherubs 277:molding 270:granite 250:viaduct 1104:Closed 563:Nutmeg 444:, the 394:gabled 373:arcade 366:belfry 330:fluted 321:frieze 317:corbel 313:course 309:fasces 296:facade 1134:Media 877:Areas 540:Siena 428:in a 356:with 323:with 268:on a 124:Built 950:NRHP 741:2011 664:and 524:I-84 463:cyma 451:buff 416:has 334:cyma 303:and 221:The 180:The 127:1909 116:Area 1194:in 538:in 279:of 152:No. 1388:: 785:. 688:. 682:. 626:^ 440:, 436:, 283:. 71:, 1184:e 1177:t 1170:v 862:e 855:t 848:v 743:. 20:.

Index

Waterbury station
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
A brick building with a tall clock tower. Its two-story middle section has three tall round-arched windows and a peaked roof, with two one-story wings. In front is a square with a flagpole, statue and some small shrubbery and trees
Waterbury
Connecticut
41°33′18″N 73°2′49″W / 41.55500°N 73.04694°W / 41.55500; -73.04694
McKim, Mead & White
78002881

Waterbury
clock tower
Seth Thomas Company
McKim, Mead and White
New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad
Republican-American
station building
downtown Waterbury
current platform station
Metro-North
Naugatuck River
Connecticut Route 8
Interstate 84
viaduct
hip roof
common bond
granite
foundation
molding
terra cotta
The upper section of the station's clock tower, with the features described in the text

Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.