During the '30s and '40s, the American Locker Company Ltd. was granted a series of contracts (~over 100) to renovate older train stations and bus terminals and also to build new ones. I invite you on an amazing journey into the history of american transportation, by train and by bus.
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In september 1944, the St. Louis Terminal Railroad Association celebrated its 55th anniversary, while the Union Station itself, celebrated its 50th. By that time the station serviced over 16 railroad and transportation lines, being the heart of the city. 200 passenger trains were operated daily out of it 42 stub-end tracks.
In 1942, when the renovation began, the 2 blocks long building had all the needed facilities from boot-black stands to writing desks and even a nursery. The interior overhaull work was completed in 1944.
A new ticket office was relocated in the center of the station on the south side of the main waiting room, adjacent to the Midway/Train concourse, into which the agent's office, cage and vault project in a brick extension. A beautiful open top counter of semi-circular shape, with a radius of about 18', forms the business end of the office, providing space for 16 selling windows, each equipped with glass wickets. Above the canopy of the office is a large and beautiful mural depicting a river-front scene of early St. Louis days, and shows a bell-stacked wood-burning locomotive in the foreground with its traditional black plume of smoke. In the middle distance are a side-wheeled and a stern-paddle river boat, while in the background, Eads Bridge runs majestically off to the far shore.
The main waiting room underwent many important renovations. A new floor of asphalt tile of three colors in geometric pattern was laid, blending harmoniously with the modern treatment of the walls, ceiling, lighting and furniture. The scagliola-covered columns which suppor the floor of the Grand Hall have been faced with Flemish Oak, as have all coutners, booths and concession locations throughout the station.
The upper parts of the walls have been finished in gypsum tile blocks of acoustic quality. The ceiling, formerly broken by two "light wells", has been made solid. It ahs palster finish with simple color designs and decorative motif. Lighting is furnished by flush-type fluorescent fixtures in the beams and modern design pendent fixtures. Modern benches of natural finish oak replace the original ones set in place in 1894.
At opposite ends of the waiting room, the restaurant and a cafeteria are located. These were completely redecorated as to walls and ceilings, a new floor covering was laid, and many other improving alterations made. Murals around the walls of the restaurant are pleasingly executed and the enw style tables, dark stained chairs with leather upholstery and other equipment all carry on the traditions of one of the country's largest restaurants. In 1943 it served over 2.714.000 patrons.
A new Shopper's Mart operated by Fred Harvey was recently completed and is serving the traveling public.
A solid terrazzo floor has been installed in the Grand Hall, and the entire large area is hospitably furnished with modern tubular frame, chromium finished settees with leather upholstery and with writing desks.
The west and is devoted to a USO Lounge and Canteen, where service men and women can relax or read the latest periodicals, in comfortable easy chairs and davenports.
The east end of the Grand Hall has the women's lounge and powder room, which has also been redecorated and refurnished. The north-east corner contains the first nursery in a rail station in the United States. It is staffed by members of the American Women's Voluntary Services under the supervision of Traveler's Aid. There is a milk bar where formulae can be made up, heated in sterilized bottles and cooled by refrigeration. There are sleeping cribs and play pens.
On the concourse the old 1894 "prison-bar" gates and fence which separated the Midway from the 42 stub-end tracks were removed. In place was erected a modern partition of gypsum hollow tile, faced with plaster and finished with a special wall coating. Large plate glass windows cut the wall and wide sliding glass doors with circular glass panels permit ample trafiic to pass through. The former large light bowls have been replaced by lighting fixtures directly focused on track designation numbers and clocks showing the departure times of trains. The cavities in the original concrete floor were filled in by pumping cement grout and a new terrazzo floor was installed over.
Another important innovation is the Information and Pullman Reservation Room, elevated directly over the 18th Street entrance. It is air-conditioned, sound conditioned and lighted by fluorescent ribbons. It is the clearing house for al Pullman coach, and chair car reservations made in any ticket office throughout St. Louis. It acts as agent for all railroads using the terminal facilities, without charge to the passengers. Over 100 employees are required to operate this room and its services.
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