Passing Through Union Station
Passing Through Union Station
- Photo essay by
- Lara Ajami
I was scammed out of $50 at Union Station. An older woman approached me with her suitcase and launched into a relentless monologue about human rights, P. Diddy, Epstein, and government conspiracies. She claimed that the government had restricted her cards and that she needed money for a train to New York.
The interaction ended before I fully grasped what was happening. After she left, a few passersby informed me that the woman repeats this routine every day. In Union Station, everything is in constant motion: crowds, announcements, decisions, leaving little room to pause and make sense of it all.
When Union Station opened in 1907, Washington's rail system was disorganized, with tracks running through neighborhoods and rail traffic congesting areas near the Capitol. This prompted the consolidation of operations into a single, centralized location.
The decision to renovate Union Station extended beyond logistical improvements; it was also about shaping the experience of those entering the capital and influencing their perceptions of the city they were about to explore.
Once it became the primary gateway, this station welcomed a diverse array of travelers throughout history. Soldiers heading to war, migrants seeking employment, presidents traveling discreetly, and foreign delegations all passed through at different moments in time.
Above your head lies a story often overlooked. The Great Hall ceiling draws inspiration from ancient Roman public buildings, a deliberate choice designed to visually connect Washington with enduring centers of power and permanence.
The station's significance was not enduring. As rail travel declined in the mid-20th century, Union Station deteriorated, large sections closed, and demolition was seriously considered.
What saved the building wasn't a mere restoration of its past. When Union Station reopened in the 1980s, it incorporated retail, dining, and open spaces, ensuring it remained vibrant for visitors, even those not traveling by train.
Today, many people in this area are not travelers at all. Union Station serves as a transit hub, a shortcut, a meeting point, and a public space, facilitating movement through Washington in various ways.
I was scammed out of $50 at Union Station. An older woman approached me with her suitcase and launched into a relentless monologue about human rights, P. Diddy, Epstein, and government conspiracies. She claimed that the government had restricted her cards and that she needed money for a train to New York.
The interaction ended before I fully grasped what was happening. After she left, a few passersby informed me that the woman repeats this routine every day. In Union Station, everything is in constant motion: crowds, announcements, decisions, leaving little room to pause and make sense of it all.
When Union Station opened in 1907, Washington's rail system was disorganized, with tracks running through neighborhoods and rail traffic congesting areas near the Capitol. This prompted the consolidation of operations into a single, centralized location.
The decision to renovate Union Station extended beyond logistical improvements; it was also about shaping the experience of those entering the capital and influencing their perceptions of the city they were about to explore.
Once it became the primary gateway, this station welcomed a diverse array of travelers throughout history. Soldiers heading to war, migrants seeking employment, presidents traveling discreetly, and foreign delegations all passed through at different moments in time.
Above your head lies a story often overlooked. The Great Hall ceiling draws inspiration from ancient Roman public buildings, a deliberate choice designed to visually connect Washington with enduring centers of power and permanence.
The station's significance was not enduring. As rail travel declined in the mid-20th century, Union Station deteriorated, large sections closed, and demolition was seriously considered.
What saved the building wasn't a mere restoration of its past. When Union Station reopened in the 1980s, it incorporated retail, dining, and open spaces, ensuring it remained vibrant for visitors, even those not traveling by train.
Today, many people in this area are not travelers at all. Union Station serves as a transit hub, a shortcut, a meeting point, and a public space, facilitating movement through Washington in various ways.
