Union Station

Homestalgia Archive

Community memory · 1898-1980s · Aug 7, 2026

Verified

Providence's Union Station, a monumental building principally characterized by yellow brick, was completed in 1898. Designed by the firm of Shepley, Rutan & Coolidge, it was a grand testament to the city's importance as a railroad hub. For decades, it was the bustling gateway for travelers arriving in and departing from Providence, connecting the city to Boston, New York, and beyond. The station became a symbol of urban progress and connectivity. However, the station suffered a devastating fire in 1987. Although the main station building was severely damaged, it was later redeveloped into office and commercial space. A new, smaller Amtrak station, retaining the name 'Providence Station,' had opened in 1986 to the north-northeast of the old complex.

Source: National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places documentation for Union Station, Providence (1975); Amtrak, Great American Stations, Providence, RI (PVD); Wikipedia, “Union Station (Providence, Rhode Island)”