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Los Angeles’ Union Station celebrates 75 years

L.A. Metro held a rededication ceremony at the station’s Old Ticket Concourse on May 3 to mark the milestone. When the station opened in 1939, it accommodated approximately 13,000 rail travelers daily. That number today is closer to 75,000.

May 7, 2014
1 min to read


Seymour Rosen, who attended Union Station’s opening in 1939 and its 75th anniversary in 2014. Photo courtesy Gary Leonard for Metro.

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Daily News reported that Los Angeles’ Union Station marked its 75th anniversary on May 3.

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) held a rededication ceremony at the station’s Old Ticket Concourse, antique train cars were on exhibit and events featured live music and speeches from dignitaries. For the full story, click here.

WATCH:Union Station holds festivities to commemorate 75 years

When the station opened in 1939, it accommodated approximately 13,000 rail travelers daily. That number today is closer to 75,000, according to Los Angeles Times.

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Photo courtesy Shehzadkhalid via Wikimedia Commons



WATCH:Only known footage of L.A. Union Station opening shot by Ward Kimball

Ridership is expected to increase even more as Metro expands the subway and light rail network in Los Angeles County and renovates the station, and if the planned  high-speed rail line begins running between Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Christopher Hawthorne, architecture critic for the newspaper, reported on the history and architecture of the station. For the full story, click here.  

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