File:Union Station -- Houston.jpg

English: This building was designed by the firm that designed New York's Grand Central Station. It's one of the few buildings of the era left in downtown (as of 2020), and the only train station. "Between 7,000 and 10,000 visitors filled the building on March 1, 1911. A representative of the Pennsylvania Railroad stated that no city in the nation the size of Houston had anything to compare with the new terminal. The Herb and Lewis orchestra played as guests swarmed through the flower-decked building to be greeted by Harvey House waitresses in their black dresses and heavily starched white aprons. There appeared to be uniform agreement that this "fine up-to-date station makes a splendid impression upon the stranger who arrives in the city for his first visit. Both of Houston's major newspapers noted the opening as an example of the boom in construction. On March 2, the city also dedicated the new County Court House, and a new Post Office would be opened in April. The Municipal Auditorium was nearing completion; the sixteen-story Carter Building was to be dedicated soon; a twelve-story bank was under construction; and over $2,000,000 in navigation and road projects were underway. To many people, Union Station symbolized the destiny of Houston. Today it's part of the Astros Ball Park and houses the team store