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Union Station

Union StationFor more than forty years after the railroads first came to Dallas, each of the eight competing rail lines had their own passenger stations in different parts of town. Union Station, constructed at a cost of $1,500,000 between 1914 and 1916, consolidated them into one central terminal designed to handle as many as 50,000 passengers daily.

Built of white enameled brick in the modern classical style, the 282 foot long building was formally dedicated on October 14, 1916 by Texas Governor James E. Ferguson. Three-stories tall, the station is located about two blocks south of Dealey Plaza on Houston Street, between Jackson and Young. Immediately in front of it, across Houston Street, is Ferris Plaza, a small park that once welcomed arriving passengers to "Big D."

In the late 1960s most of the nation's railroads ceased offering passenger service. Since the 1970s Union Station has handled AMTRAK passengers. In the 21st century it is now a stop on the DART light rail line. The Trinity Express, which provides commuter service between downtown Dallas and Fort Worth, also stops here.

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