Reuse
Many station buildings avoided the wrecking ball by being adapted for new uses. Others were rehabilitated first, then repurposed. No matter the order, stations’ varied architecture, floor plans, and locations have supported a range of uses, some expected and others perhaps a bit surprising.
Fireworks Store || Youngstown, Ohio || Pennsylvania Station || 1949
Liquor Store || Toronto || North Toronto Station || 1916
Television Studios || Omaha || Burlington Station || 1898
Transitional Housing || Philadelphia || North Broad Street Station || 1929
Science Museum || Richmond || Broad Street Station || 1917
Science (and Art) Museum || Baton Rouge Station || 1925
Science Museum || Kansas City || Union Station || 1914
Restaurant || Ann Arbor (Michigan) Station || 1886
Diner || Rochester, New York || BP&R Station || Before 1900
Restaurant || San Juan Capistrano, California || Santa Fe Depot || 1894
Transit Offices || San Antonio || International & Great Northern Depot || 1908
Federal Courthouse || Tacoma, Washington || Union Station || 1911
Telecommunications Hub || Phoenix || Union Station || 1923
Flea Market || Hammond (Louisiana) Station || 1912
Medical Offices || Bethlehem, Pennsylvania || Union Station || 1924
Insurance Office || Lebanon, Pennsylvania || Cornwall & Lebanon Depot || 1885
Railroad Museum || Council Bluffs, Iowa || Rock Island Depot || 1899