Gary Union Station

Gary Union Station
Gary Union Station
General information
Architectural style	Neoclassical
Address	185 Broadway, Gary, Indiana
Coordinates	41°36′20.3″N 87°20′13.07″W
Design and construction
Architect(s)	M. A. Lang

Union Station was erected in 1910, just four years after the city of Gary was founded. It was built between the elevated lines of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern and Baltimore & Ohio railroads using the newest cast-in-place concrete methods of the time period. Once poured, the concrete was scored to resemble stone. The building was closed in the 1950s. The Indiana Landmarks Foundation has placed the building on its 10 Most Endangered Places in Indiana list.

Location

The building faces west on Broadway. Because it sits between two raised rail lines, it is invisible until one is next to it. The only sign still visible inside or outside the building is a painted notice on the front pillar that says “No Parking Cabs Only”. The method of construction has retained its integrity after 50 years of abandonment.

Interior

Union Station in 2009

The main room is a two stories hall. At the east end of the hall is a staircase to the loading platform on the upper level. Built into a hill, the building is only a single story in the back. A door on the south side leads from a cobblestone driveway. Across the drive is a staircase built up to track level along the south side. On the north there is a tunnel under the tracks to a stairway up to the loading platform.