Swampoodle: The Lost Irish Neighborhood Union Station Erased
A rough, all-Irish neighborhood called Swampoodle once stood where Union Station is now. The railroad cleared it, and DC forgot.
Union Station
Union Station opened in 1907 as the largest train station in the world, designed by Daniel Burnham as a grand gateway to the nation’s capital. It replaced two competing rail stations that had cluttered the Mall and gave Washington a unified, monumental arrival point for the first time. After decades of decline and a near-demolition in the 1980s, it was restored to its original grandeur. These posts trace the full history of Union Station.
Exploring the Historical Context of Union Station in Washington, D.C. on August 14, 1963
Take a look at a cool old photo of Union Station in Washington, D.C. taken by Thomas O’Halloran on August 14, 1963. Learn more about the historical context of the photo including the Great Train Robbery, James Meredith’s graduation, and the March on Washington.
Peering Into the Past: A Glimpse of Union Station Back in 1914
Take a look back in time and explore a photo of Union Station in 1914. See the familiar line of taxis waiting for passengers in this historic image.
This Old Photo of Union Station in Washington DC in 1920
This old photograph reveals Union Station in Washington DC in 1920. See the tracks and glass negative from the National Photo Company Collection. | Ghosts of DC
A Rare Look at DC’s Union Station Under Construction in the Early 1900s
Take a rare look at Washington, DC’s Union Station under construction in the early 1900s. This photo from Sidney Duff shows only one of the six statues installed over the entrance. Click to learn more!
Marines Were Given a ‘Shoot to Kill’ Order on a Train Leaving Union Station in 1921
In 1921, the Secretary of Treasury, Edwin Denby, issued a ‘shoot to kill’ order to the Marines on a train leaving Union Station in Washington. Read the full story here!
A Stunning Look at Union Station in the 1920s
Take a look at this stunning photo of Union Station in the 1920s! Learn more about this amazing piece of history on GhostsofDC.org.
Marines Await Shipment Out for WWI: A Photo from Union Station in Washington, DC
![John Henry Balch, Corpsman, U.S. Navy, visiting Washington, D.C., in June 1917 [at Columbus statue at Union Station], while awaiting shipment overseas. The Marine on the right is not identified. [Portraits.] [Scene, World War I, World War 1.] John Henry Balch. 06/1917; NH 80571; Courtesy of Commander J.H. Balch, U.S. Navy (retired), 1974.](https://ghostsofdc.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2014/07/14511329064_2b6720dd91_o.jpg)
GoDCer Michael sent in this amazing photo of two marines awaiting shipment out for World War I at Union Station in Washington, DC. See the photo and read more about the story behind it.
A Look Inside the Ladies’ Waiting Room at Union Station 100 Years Ago
Take a look back in time to the 1910s and explore the ladies’ waiting room at Union Station. See the sparsely decorated room and imagine what it was like for women to wait for their train 100 years ago.