300 SW 7th (http://goo.gl/maps/EOKMl)
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http://www.okctalk.com/images/wikiphotos/unionstation1.jpg
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Can't wait to see the pictures. I don't know that I've ever been inside. Great job!
Oh....and welcome home. :)

Thanks so much. I can think of so many cool uses for this building, and am so glad it somehow got "forgotten" and was not subjected to the urban renewal wrecking ball. I can hardly wait to see the photos.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/trains/edbirch_8_18_07_2s.jpgThere are a few pics taken by this very nice gentleman, Ed Birch, who worked there before it ceased its rail functionality here ... pics circa 1966-1967: Doug Dawgz Blog: Okc Trains Part 2 (http://dougdawg.blogspot.com/2007/08/okc-trains-part-2.html) ...

click links for larger pics ...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/trains/trains_vrp_insideunion1.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/trains/trains_vrp_insideunion1s.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/trains/trains_vrp_insideunion2.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/trains/trains_vrp_insideunion2s.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/trains/trains_vrp_insideunion3.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/trains/trains_vrp_insideunion3s.jpg

This is the area where Ed worked much of the time ...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/trains/trains_vrp_insideunion4.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/trains/trains_vrp_insideunion4s.jpg

I walked all around the outside and it appears that the exterior stonework had been cleaned recently because it looks almost new.

The front has a series of what looks to original wrought iron gates that opens to a small tiled, courtyard with a a bunch of French doors with curved top lights:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/union/IMG_0049.JPG

Look at the great stone work at the entrance:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/union/IMG_0036.JPG

They've obviously added this glass vestibule but it could easily be removed -- it's not even used now:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/union/IMG_0034.JPG

This is the westside of the building with a nice little courtyard. It's hard to see, but it has the same curved-top French doors and all the stonework and details look tip-top:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/union/IMG_0039.JPG

Here are the tracks in the back. Whatever structures were next to tracks are gone and there are just some concrete foundations. Also, there are tons of docks back there, which I guess were used primarily for mail back in the day:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/union/IMG_0044.JPG

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/union/IMG_0043.JPG

The eastside with another great little courtyard:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/union/IMG_0046.JPG

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/union/IMG_0047.JPG

A couple of plaques from the outside -- you can also get a feel for how good the stone looks on the entire building. I'll see if I can transcribe the last one from a high-res image.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/union/IMG_0035.JPG

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/union/IMG_0038.JPG

On to the interior. I'll start with a photo of the original floorplan, which I may clean-up and relabel later. North is at the top:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/union/IMG_0008.JPG

Unfortunately, somewhere along the way they errected a second-floor platform right in the middle of what was the central waiting area. The ceilings in that area are huge, and you can see the original light fixtures and ceiling details:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/union/IMG_0025.JPG

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/union/IMG_0017.JPG

This is looking towards the north main entrance:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/union/IMG_0026.JPG

This is the far south end of the waiting room with one of the doors out to the east courtyard. Note the great floors:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/union/IMG_0027.JPG

The ceilings are fantastic with loads of plaster detail and look to be in great shape:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/union/IMG_0030.JPG

This is part of the floor in what was the main waiting area; it appears to be the original terrazzo which runs under all the walls that have been erected:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/union/IMG_0015.JPG

This looks to be an original built-in corner seating area. You can see a little of the marble that lines all the perimeter of the waiting room:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/union/IMG_0031.JPG

This brownish tile lines lots of the smaller rooms on the perimeter and all of it looks to be in great shape and is nicer in person:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/union/IMG_0033.JPG

This is one of back rooms and I think the fireplace is original:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/union/IMG_0019.JPG

Wow, great pics. I've seen the outside in person but never had the nerve that you do to ask to go inside. Thanks for sharing.

Here's a couple of the tunnel. Behind the doors at the end appears to be a bunch of storage. But it's lined with the same great marble on the walls and the light fixtures appear to be original. Also, there are three huge skylights above:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/union/IMG_0021.JPG

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/union/IMG_0022.JPG

And the original ticket windows:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/union/IMG_0023.JPG

Some of the historic photos mounted inside:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/union/IMG_0011.JPG

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/union/IMG_0012.JPG

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/union/IMG_0005.JPG

Great pics Pete. Too bad COPTA has not kept it up to the care this building deserves. Hopefully the city will see the value of preserving this building and purchase it in the near future and use it for the good of the public once again.

The building was owned by a private company (Thurman Magbee) for a while before the city reacquired it and put COPTA in there. I think it was the private owner that put up all the walls so they could try and make use of those big rooms.

I think COPTA has just taken over part of the space they had used and hasn't touched much. But it's pretty junky in there.


I think this building has the potential to be one of the most important in all of OKC. It's position in Core 2 Shore and the fantastic amount of historic detail, plus all the large rooms suitable for gatherings and perhaps art displays mean that it could be put to great use where lots of citizens would see it on a regular basis.

As much as everyone loves the Great Banking Hall, I was actually more impressed with Union Station.

There's lots of potential there. I'd love to see a Tavern on the Green type restaurant in there.

Great pictures, Pete. There are several good pix but for some reason when I got to the one with the ticket windows, it almost gave me goosebumps. I could just feel the people lined up at the window and the bustling about.

I am with you about the potential of this building being a premier attraction in Oklahoma City. It's location within the C2S and park plan will make it a future showplace.

Thank you for taking the time to actually go in and take the pictures. It's obvious you're making the most of your time here. Hope you're enjoying it.

I like the picture of the tunnel that leads to the tracks. I could almost see the people coming and going with their suitcases in their hands.

I’ve always called Union Station the Frisco Station because of one winter night in 1952. My Uncle Louis from St Louis came to visit us, and he took the Frisco “Meteor”. We met him at the station and drove to El Charitos in the Paseo for dinner. I was only six years old, but I remember the steam from the locomotive, men wearing fedoras and the smell of enchiladas, beans and rice.

Thank you for all the great photos. The cobwebs that cover my memories are reeling.

I too believe this building will be the defining jewel of Core to Shore.

I totally agree. I can't wait for the Post Office to be torn down so that Union Station is more visible to everyone. Is it a foregone conclusion that the city will purchase the Post Office or is their a chance that someone could outbid the city for this property?

Wow! What a cool looking place!

Thanks for the pics, Pete. With a bit of work, it could really shine again.

Council OKs 1st purchase of Core to Shore landby Brian Brus
The Journal Record March 5, 2008

OKLAHOMA CITY � City council members approved the acquisition Tuesday of the first new parcel of land in the planned development of Oklahoma City�s core when the Interstate 40 crosstown is moved south.


The council unanimously agreed to purchase the U.S. Postal Service main city branch, 320 S.W. Fifth St., for more than $3.68 million. The council also cleared the immediate use of $50,000 in earnest money to secure the deal. The purchase will be funded by general obligation bond proceeds.

The Transportation Department has started building about three miles of a new I-40 route closer to the Oklahoma River and plans to release the old crosstown to development. City leaders have dubbed the area Core to Shore and have proposed setting aside 10-15 blocks of it for a city park.
City planners are trying to synchronize the park�s development with the lowering of the current I-40 bridge to ground level as a new city boulevard, which is projected for 2014. The post office property would likely be near the center of the park.

Early examples of the direction the park might take include the 25-acre Millennium Park in Chicago, sections of the massive Central Park in Manhattan, and the 21-acre Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta. Those parks often have multiple, concurrent community events throughout the year.

Assistant City Manager Cathy O�Connor said city staff will submit the offer to the Postal Service for consideration. Council members first authorized the sale negotiations in September. If the deal proceeds as expected, closing will occur by June 30.

O�Connor said the city already owned several properties near I-40 before the realignment was announced.

I saw that article last week. I was just wondering if there was any way someone else would bid on the property and hold the city hostage over it for more money.
That is one of my fears for all of the Core to Shore land that is currently held privately. I would hate to think we could run into a situation where there was a crummy warehouse in the middle of our new park because someone wanted a great sum of money for it and refused to sell.

I think if all else fails the city could use eminent domain to solve the problem.

Here's a photo looking due north out of the main entrance and you can see the very top of Chase Tower and First National Center. Once the postal facility is converted to an open park, the skyline view will look more like the third picture, taken from the N/S street just east of US:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/union/IMG_0037.JPG

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/union/IMG_0050.JPG

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/union/IMG_0052.JPG

I saw that article last week. I was just wondering if there was any way someone else would bid on the property and hold the city hostage over it for more money.
That is one of my fears for all of the Core to Shore land that is currently held privately. I would hate to think we could run into a situation where there was a crummy warehouse in the middle of our new park because someone wanted a great sum of money for it and refused to sell.

It's called emminent domain, the city has already used it for some C2S land if I'm not mistaken and I'm sure they'll use it again for this area if they have to. I'm almost certain they came out and said that a few years back after the first talk of relocating I-40.

Pete, You are right that once the P.O. is gone that will make an excellent skyline view. And I can't help but imagine that view from Union Station in 15 years. Your pics have been great, though that last one reminds me how much I hate overhead electrical lines.

The good news is that everything around US can be easily acquired and converted to parkland or other community use. Besides that postal facility, it's all junk yards and vacant lots.

I never really grasped the potential of this area until yesterday. I'm really glad our civic leaders are so out in front of making something happen there that we all can be really proud of.

And I think the any OKC resident would have their socks absolutely knocked off to discover a renovated and cleaned up Union Station. I bet the huge majority have no idea it's even there, let alone the underlying beauty.

One of the many cool things about that building is there is the huge former waiting room which would be great for all types of events and then a smaller, similar space right next to it that could house a full-time restaurant. They could also put some tables out on covered front patio in the summer months that would look right across the new C2S park and offer great views of the skyline.

Yes, if one goes out and drives the Core to Shore area, the whole concept is rather breathtaking. Just for fun, drive to the Myriad Gardens and head south to the river, imagining the scope of the new park. It's really impressive. I wish I could wait for the townhouses that will be built along the park, but I don't want to wait that long, and I suspect the prices on them will be out of sight.

I was in First National not long ago on about 11 or 12 or something and looking south down Robinson. I think it is going to be spectacular but I wish the progress could be accelerated.

Yes, if one goes out and drives the Core to Shore area, the whole concept is rather breathtaking. Just for fun, drive to the Myriad Gardens and head south to the river, imagining the scope of the new park. It's really impressive. I wish I could wait for the townhouses that will be built along the park, but I don't want to wait that long, and I suspect the prices on them will be out of sight.

Where is the I-40 loop going to be? Will it run right through the C2S area?

Where is the I-40 loop going to be? Will it run right through the C2S area?

Here's a link to all the Core to Shore plans. I went to the open meeting this fall, which was very interesting. They had all the plans blown up and on easels around the room so you could view them easily. If there's another open meeting, I would highly recommend going to anyone interested.

City of Oklahoma City | Core to Shore (http://www.okc.gov/Planning/coretoshore/visuals_data.html)

Here's a link to all the Core to Shore plans. I went to the open meeting this fall, which was very interesting. They had all the plans blown up and on easels around the room so you could view them easily. If there's another open meeting, I would highly recommend going to anyone interested.

City of Oklahoma City | Core to Shore (http://www.okc.gov/Planning/coretoshore/visuals_data.html)

Thanks Betts. The I-40 loop will help the area by giving it more out of town eyeballs. Sweet.

Thanks Betts. The I-40 loop will help the area by giving it more out of town eyeballs. Sweet.

Not exactly, Dustbowl, as it will be six feet below grade, and I believe will be landscaped on either side. Maybe it will look alluring enough from down there that people will get off the exits and investigate.

Okay, I took the floorplan and cropped, enlarged, color-coded and labeled.

Blue: Big, grand rooms with great flooring, ceilings, etc.
Green: Outdoor space
Yellow: Secondary rooms that are somewhat sizable and unique
Orange: Smaller rooms
Pink: Rest rooms
Red: Tunnel area

I really hope they keep the main waiting room in tact and available to the general public, after taking out the newly constructed second floor platform and the offices underneath. I could see a museum exhibit on the old train station and perhaps other OKC historical memorabilia on movable panels that could be pushed to the room's edges or removed altogether for catered events. The ticket area and windows would be perfect for a bar!

I think the 'Colored Waiting Room' (good grief, it's hard to believe this sort of thing was so common place!!) would be a great cafe site, with access to the outdoor loggia where they could set up tables in the nice months for a great view across the park and of the skyline.

Room C was the old lunch counter and it's the one shown with the circular fireplace which was obviously added later. But the beamed ceilings and general feel of that room is fantastic, so perhaps that could be a gift shop or another room that could be hired out for private banquets and functions.

Rooms A & B are set up as large conference/meeting rooms and that might be a good idea for the future as well.

Another idea would be to use the old lunchroom for a cafe and include the east courtyard as well.

I have no idea what to do with the massive docks in the back which I cropped off of this plan. But they are covered in that same great stone and could easily be fixed up.

http://mysite.verizon.net/res17zef/floorplan2.jpg

This is Room B as shown above and you can see the great tile (brick?) on the walls but also that they've installed a dropped acoustical ceiling at some point. Hopefully, the original ceiling has been largely untouched:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/union/IMG_0013.JPG

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/union/IMG_0014.JPG

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/union/IMG_0032.JPG

I totally forgot about the tower!

There is a staircase inside there, although I'm not quite sure how you access it.

But, the very top would be a great vantage spot for a view north across the park and the skyline, and south over the new I-40 to the river:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/union/IMG_0051.JPG

Pete, I am curious. Did you have any problems walking around on the inside? Did anyone seem to care that you were walking around taking pictures?

fever, there is a receptionist at the COPTA desk at the only point you get enter the building. Her demeanor was somewhere between suspicious and rude. "Who are you? What exactly do you want?" I guess they don't get many requests which is really sad if you think about it, especially since they still have the historical photos and plaques up in the interior.

She did ask someone in authority and that woman immediately said "Absolutely!" and was very friendly.

And once I was past the receptionist, nobody lifted an eyebrow.


I would encourage anyone who is interested to go by there. It's a city-owned building of great significance and if you were to see it in person, I'm sure you would be as fired up as I am about it's potential.

can anyone help me? was union ever a museum? i thought i visited it as a kid once.

Have a look at this place called "Chijmes" in Singapore. It is a wonderful complex of restaurant and entertainment venues that were created out of a former convent. The atmosphere is unique in the world, but given the architectural heritage of union Station, I could see a similar restoration and use for OKC. It would take vision and courage, but anchoring C2S with such a location would be an automatic draw for development in the area.

First thing though.... get rid of that post-office building in front of the station!

CHIJMES (http://www.chijmes.com.sg/default.htm)

Something of a "Tavern on the Green" would be accomplished as well. I know in the C2S drawings I saw, there was a Rose Garden in front of Union Station (where the post-office now stands) and the drawing showed a wedding taking place in the Rose Garden. The comment by the presenter was "with reception to follow in Union Station", so I know there are plans to make it a venue or restaurant.

Something of a "Tavern on the Green" would be accomplished as well. I know in the C2S drawings I saw, there was a Rose Garden in front of Union Station (where the post-office now stands) and the drawing showed a wedding taking place in the Rose Garden. The comment by the presenter was "with reception to follow in Union Station", so I know there are plans to make it a venue or restaurant.


betts, keep in mind the C2S "plans" are nothing too official. I would hope that it would be restored into an events center/ restaurant, but I wouldn't get your hopes up. The renderings are the "potential" of what C2S can offer.

Have a look at this place called "Chijmes" in Singapore. It is a wonderful complex of restaurant and entertainment venues that were created out of a former convent. The atmosphere is unique in the world, but given the architectural heritage of union Station, I could see a similar restoration and use for OKC. It would take vision and courage, but anchoring C2S with such a location would be an automatic draw for development in the area.

First thing though.... get rid of that post-office building in front of the station!

CHIJMES (http://www.chijmes.com.sg/default.htm)

the post office will be gone very soon ..

I originally started this thread because I was so impressed with the building.

This past weekend, I rode my bike down to San Diego with some of my triathlon friends and then took the train back. It was the first time I had been inside their Santa Fe Station and it's an eye-popper. It has the same Spanish style of architecture as Union Station and has been beautifully restored/preserved.

Whether or not our Union Station is used for trains or some other community purpose, this should give you an idea of how cool and significant it will be when restored:

http://physics.ucsd.edu/~senyang/images/sandiego/103-0324_IMG.JPG

http://photos.igougo.com/images/p241835-San_Diego_CA-Amtrak_-_SAN_-_San_Diego_Santa_Fe_Station.jpg

http://www.latimemachines.com/Santa.JPG

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2099/2069823525_66fdd4929c.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2274/2247521656_07a5941f76.jpg?v=0

Creating this new thread to consolidate posts of this fantastic structure.

Please leave discussion of it's use as a transit/rail location for the transportation forum.

What do people think about putting the streetcar "barn" down there? Obviously it would be a functional maintenance facility, but they can be designed to be "cool." I was thinking if Union Station was ever used for a museum, it would be a nice way to "pay homage" and create something rail related that would actually be useful.

San Francisco's cable car power station is a functioning museum for example. You can see the machines and employees at work through glass from the street.

Here's a link to Doug's fantastic blog post about US with tons of present day photos and lots about the history:

http://dougdawg.blogspot.com/2009/06/union-station-circa-2009.html

What do people think about putting the streetcar "barn" down there? Obviously it would be a functional maintenance facility, but they can be designed to be "cool." I was thinking if Union Station was ever used for a museum, it would be a nice way to "pay homage" and create something rail related that would actually be useful.

San Francisco's cable car power station is a functioning museum for example. You can see the machines and employees at work through glass from the street.
wouldn't that take quite a bit of "extra" track? in an out of the way location

Well it depends. If the Convention Center does somehow make it to the Core to Shore Site and there is pressure for a more direct connection to the park, then its probably not a big deal to put it down there. Yes, to go specifically down there for the maintenance facility would take up track. It might only need to be a single track, but it is indeed more track that might be able to go somewhere else.

My question was more esoteric. Does it make sense to put it down there to "pay homage" and make the area more interesting in a "rail sense."

The maintenance facility question could almost go anywhere on the line although a more centralized location means that service delays are "swapping" cars would probably take less time. Then there is the actual monetary or development potential of the land that is an issue at whatever the location might be.

UP, have you been talking to Tom Elmore? lol!

UP, have you been talking to Tom Elmore? lol!

lol. No The streetcar has nothing to do with the "fight" over the Union Station rail yard issues of the past. My point is that the area has such history associated with rail, let's throw out some idea to make the neighborhood area more interesting and developed. The "car barn" is something that the committee is going to have to pick a site for, so it seems to me an intriguing opportunity if it made sense to already be going down there.

Obviously, simply offices for COTPA in the building itself is a somewhat laughable re-use of such a great building itself.

I saw that the link my earlier post no longer works, so wanted to post it again. Union station would be great as a 'destination' in its own right like Chijmes (http://www.chijmes.com.sg/index.php) in singapore. It has all the right ingredients: architectural 'bones' that speak of the place we come from, prime location near the new highway and park, close to other entertainment, yet unique on its own as well. OK, Chijmes in Singapore did take 100 million to renovate, but this could be done much cheaper in OKC and still be a fantastic facility.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8318229/Chijmes.jpg

I'm sure COPTA will find another location and the building will be renovated for public use. That's been indicated in all drawings and conceptual plans for Core to Shore.

The best use would be a cafe in the smaller of the two large waiting rooms, making use of the covered loggia, which will offer a great view of Central Park and the skyline to the north. The large waiting room could be used for movable exhibits and art, allowing it to be configured for all types of events. The ticket windows would be a fantastic bar.

The back rooms and dock areas would work well for a museum / gift shop. Integrating rail might make sense there, as long as the front of the property and main rooms are left open and easy to be reconfigured for a variety of purposes.

I don't have a specific recollection as to source or content, but something is stuck in my memory that a federal requirement tie exits ... maybe because of a federal funding grant, something ... that the building MUST have a transportation component of some type. Sorry not to be able to be more specific. But, if that's so (federal requirement), the city is obligated to have some type of a transportation component at the facility. Someone with a better memory and/or knowledge than mine needs to help us out with this, but the general sense I have is that it would not be OK for COTPA to vacate the premises unless some other transportation function came to exist.

Larry? You're pretty good about this sort of thing ... anyone?

I want to throw in a plug about the Oklahoma Railway Museum (http://dougdawg.blogspot.com/2007/08/okc-trains-part-2.html#museum):

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/trains/ormmap.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/trains/orm01.jpg

If you've not been there, or not taken your kids or grandkids, you've missed a very nice piece of Oklahoma City history. It's kind of off the beaten path and my guess is that lots of people don't even know that it exists. The "saved" logos of Rock Island and Frisco RRs that existed above the Robinson Street underpass to the RR tracks were delicately stone-sawn from the overpass in a cooperative effort between the contractor, ODOT, ORM & RetroMetro Okc, and are on permanent display at the museum.

A pic I took in 2007 shows the Rock Island logo ... the Frisco logo is hidden by the 14' 10" elevation sign.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/trains/trains_8_11_07_12.jpg

The museum is very "pastoral" in its feel, with gobs of good stuff to see.

Those were some cool underpasses...I always liked those for some reason.

Those were some cool underpasses...I always liked those for some reason.
'Cause you could honk and create an echo.

You can still do that at the 23rd st. tunnel north of the capitol. :-)

You can still do that at the 23rd st. tunnel north of the capitol. :-)
Yep. I know.

Today, there was a $101,000 building permit to remodel the tunnel at Union Station.

Must be somehow related to the new I-40, as the tunnel used to lead out to the old tracks and that area is now mostly covered by the new interstate.

WOW! I have never seen the inside of that place.

Great work, Pete. The pics bring back wonderful memories from when I used to go there in the early 60s. And Doug, thank you for all your historical work. Great memories and answers to many questions.

Today, there was a $101,000 building permit to remodel the tunnel at Union Station.

Must be somehow related to the new I-40, as the tunnel used to lead out to the old tracks and that area is now mostly covered by the new interstate.

Any idea where this tunnel goes to now?

I don't think there is a link on this thread to Doug's blog, so here it is: http://dougdawg.blogspot.com/2009/06/union-station-circa-2009.html There are some great pictures including the tunnel.