The Southern Railroad passenger station was located on a pie-slice piece of land between Third and Fourth Streets, on Chestnut Street. It opened in 1904, and was designed by Frank Milburn, a well-known architect who also designed the train station in Salisbury and many other buildings. But, the station was too small for the growing train traffic, and there was no land for expansion.
So a new train station was designed that would accommodate several train tracks and more passengers. The new Union Train Station was opened on this day in 1926 on Claremont Avenue.
The new station was built on three levels, with a circular front drive, waiting rooms with marble floors and comfortable seating, a baggage check service, a restaurant, modern restrooms, and a travelers’ aid shop with newsstand items.
Union Station operated until 1970, when train passenger travel declined because of other, faster forms of transportation.
The station was extensively renovated and used as Davis Garage for several years, before closing a few years ago.
Photo courtesy of Forsyth County Public Library Photograph Collection.
