Fun with Archives -- CR Union Station

During the debate over whether to save or raze the Sinclair smokestack, preservationists often invoke the memory of Union Station.

The striking, Gothic depot was demolished in 1961 to make way for more parking and to allow 4th Avenue SE to run through downtown. It's seen locally as a symbol of development that foolishly fails to respect the city's past.

Union Station's fate was sealed 50-years ago this June, in 1960. Here are the front page and jump page from that day.

Union Station Vote 6 9 1960

vote jump

The need for parking, the desire to open 4th Avenue and the decline of passenger rail service apparently spelled the end.

Searching The Gazette, I couldn't find much opposition to tearing down the depot. There were a couple of letters:

August 22, 1960

To the Editor:

I saw an item on TV news. Interested me very much because I have been trying to sell the same idea to our local planning commission. I refer to a museum for local and surrounding territory.

A group in Dubuque are civic-minded enough to want such a museum and want to save one of. Their best historical structures for it-the jail.

We have such a building in Cedar Rapids but unfortunately' no such civic-minded group, although our city is much larger and in greater need of such a place to preserve the historical background of our early settlers. I speak of the union depot.

Only last winter I heard a speaker on national TV program refer to "Union Station in Cedar Rapids as the best piece of Gothic architecture west of the Mississippi." In addition to its structural value and beauty it is of great historical value because of the part it and the railroads played in development of Cedar Rapids and Eastern Iowa. It also represents thousands of dollars just as it stands and should be saved for economic reasons as well, if taxpayers are on their toes...

Mrs. Stella J. Bachelder

703 4th Ave. SE

October 10, 1960

To the Editor:

What? Demolish the Union station with its historical background for the sake of a lot for a few cars? The railroad with the Union station as center was very responsible for helping to build the city of Cedar Rapids. Of course there would be those who cry, for the sake of progress, tear down. I wonder if this assumption isn't sometimes wrong.

Why? Reason 1: It has been called to attention that this building is of Gothic structure with reputation as a fine example of construction. Reason 2: I've heard from many sources that the city of C. R. doesn't have so many things-as museum, art building, and other thing's-with, which I'm not thoroughly in agreement. This place would make a fine art center and museum combined.

Reason 3: Its location to downtown, library, Greene square park, and also The Cedar Rapids Gazette. I like Cedar Rapids, and look for a great future in its downtown area (even with. new shopping centers), but not in acres of all parking lots. The station building could be redone by interested parties on practically

a cost-free basis. A center of culture of this caliber would be a very good project for The Cedar Rapids Gazette to lead. Of course, I know there will be scoffers and also those blind with 20/20 vision, but this could be something to be proud of. I would like to hear suggestions of all people interested. EM 3-6893.

Dick Davis

3700 Johnson Ave. NW

After the demolition, in July 1961, the newspaper did express feelings for displaced pigeons:

LONELIEST living creatures in Cedar Rapids this week end are the pigeons which have been making their home at Union station, now demolished. Each evening last week, as work of tearing down and hauling away stopped, the pigeons returned to perch on whatever part of the structure remained. They viewed the scene sadly as if saying, "What goes on here?"

They might have caught some inkling of their future when they saw the block-long area being cleared for the municipal parking ramp on First street SE. And when they saw buildings razed to make room for expansion of the Merchants National bank on its west side and then across Third street nearly to the Magnus hotel.

Never before have so many changes taken place in downtown Cedar Rapids in so short a time. When the Merchants National's parking ramp and drive-in banking facility are completed, when the municipal parking ramp is finished, and when the Union station area is devoted to traffic AND parking, .then there certainly should be enough space for everybody's car in downtown Cedar Rapids.

And in December 1961, 4th Avenue went through:

The result is a completely new look from Fourth Avenue and Fourth street. Where once Union station blocked the view, motorists and pedestrians can now see in all directions. Sodding along the Fourth street tracks has added to the neat appearance.

So now you know, thanks to the archives.