Ballpark District in Denver in Denver County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Union Station Timeline
1881-2014
1881: Union Depot, constructed in the High Victorian Eclectic style, opened on June 1 at a cost of $525,000
1883: On November 18, the railroads instituted a time zone system specifically to keep trans on time at Union Depot and across the country.
1892: 1892: Union Depot expanded with one-story wings added on each side.
1894: An electrical short in a chandelier caused a fire, destroying the tower, main wing, and roof.
1895: Depot and tower were rebuilt and expanded in the Richardsonian Romanesque style.
1906: Welcome Arch dedicated. In 1908, it was renamed the “Mizpah Arch,” which is Hebrew for “May God be with you until we meet again.” The Arch was 70 tons of steel, 65 feet tall, 86 feet wide, and lit by 1,294 light bulbs.
1912: Cherry Creek flooded Union Depot.
1914: Central section of Union Depot enlarged in Renaissance Revival Beaux Arts style and renamed Union Station.
1920: New dining room built.
1923: North tunnel and wing extension built for mail express facility.
1931: “Mitzpah Arch” deemed traffic hazard, removed, and sold for scrap.
1933: Castlewood Canyon Dam on Cherry Creek failed and flooded Union Station.
1935: Model railroad club began to build display in Union Station basement.
1940: Ski train began service from Denver to Winter Park.
1945: At the height of World War II, 80 passenger trains came through Union Station each day.
1950: Dining room remodeled into Continental Room and Caboose Lounge.
1953: Iconic “Union Station Travel by Train” red neon signs installed.
1958: Stapleton Air Field surpassed Union Station for annual travelers. U.S. Postal Service Terminal Annex constructed.
1967: On average, 23 passenger trains came through Union Station every day.
1971: Amtrak took over operation of passenger service at Union Station.
1974: Union Station listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
1982-86: Tracks 6 through 12 removed behind station.
1987: North and south end wings of the building removed, sparking public outcry.
1988: Plans to demolish Union Station and move it near stockyards abandoned.
1992: Denver Post Cheyenne Frontier Days Train service revived.
1995-00: Orient Express luxury train excursion service operated out of station.
2001: RTD bought Union Station with help from City and County of Denver, Colorado Department of Transportation, and Denver Regional Council of Governments.
2004: Voters approved funding of RTD’s FasTracks rail network. Union Station named a landmark historic district by Denver Landmark Preservation Commission.
2009: Last Ski Train departed from Union Station.
2010: Construction of new commuter rail station started.
2012: Denver Union Station Light Rail Plaza opened.
2014: Revitalized Union Station, including new bus concourse and Crawford Hotel, opened.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars.
Location. 39° 45.174′ N, 104° 59.99′ W. Marker is in Denver, Colorado, in Denver County. It is in the Ballpark District. Marker is at the intersection of Wynkoop Street and 17th Street, on the right when traveling south on Wynkoop Street. Marker is located on the plaza, near the large flagpole, directly in front of the Denver Union Station main entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1701 Wynkoop Street, Denver CO 80202, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Welcome to Union Station (here, next to this marker); The People of the Station (here, next to this marker); Union Station Area (a few steps from this marker); Union Station (within shouting distance of this marker); Denver City Railway Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Edward W. Wynkoop (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); When the Depot Became a Station (about 300 feet away); Oxford Hotel and Annex (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Denver.
More about this marker. Marker is a composite plaque mounted horizontally on a large stone pedestal. Marker is the 1st (leftmost) of a three-part marker series located in front of Union Station.
Regarding Union Station Timeline. Since 2014, the Union Station building also includes the Crawford Hotel, which is built into the existing structure of Union Station and captures the many eras of Denver's history.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Denver Union Station
Credits. This page was last revised on December 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 10, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 415 times since then and 74 times this year. Last updated on December 5, 2023, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 10, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.