Columbus Union Station Arch

Homestalgia Archive

Community memory · 1899, 1976 · Aug 7, 2026

Verified

Columbus Union Station, opened in 1897, was a magnificent example of Beaux-Arts classicism, designed by Daniel Burnham, the same architect who master-planned the World's Columbian Exposition. Its soaring arches, intricate stonework, and vast concourse served as the bustling gateway to Columbus during the golden age of rail. For decades, it was a hub of activity. However, as air and automobile travel gained prominence, train travel declined. In the 1970s, the station was demolished. Despite significant public outcry and efforts to save the entire structure, only the grand stone archway of the High Street entrance arcade was preserved. This solitary arch, now standing independently in McFerson Commons in the Arena District, stands as a poignant reminder of the station's former glory and the changing landscape of transportation and urban development in Columbus.

Source: Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, McFerson Commons park information; Ohio History Connection, Ohio History Central, Columbus Union Station history; Encyclopaedia Britannica, Daniel Burnham biography