History Broad Street Station (Philadelphia)

the original broad street station (1881).



the station in 1903.

the original station designed wilson brothers & company under authority of old philadelphia. wilmington , baltimore railroad (established 1836 merger of 4 smaller segment lines dating 1831, running southwest baltimore , president street station had been purchased pennsylvania railroad assuming control) in same year of completion in 1881. 1 of first steel-framed buildings in united states use masonry not structure, curtain wall (as modern-designed skyscrapers do). initially, trains arrived via elevated tracks built above filbert street. 1885 land between station , schuylkill river had been purchased , cleared, , 9-block viaduct constructed.

broad street station dramatically expanded renowned philadelphia architect frank furness, 1892-93. wilson brothers designed new train shed (1892), constructed high on existing sheds, subsequently demolished. new shed had largest single span of station roof in world - 306 ft (91 m). in 1894 prr moved headquarters fourth street office building above station. in 1930s prr headquarters moved newly-built suburban station building @ 1600 filbert street (now john f. kennedy boulevard). train shed suffered massive 1923 fire, , demolished. station demolished in 1953, year after train service had ceased.