![5260170376 9aa8659557 b From Majestic to Decay Michigan Central Train Station [25 Pics]](http://triggerpit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/michigan-central-station.jpg "Michigan Central Train Station, exterior")
The building is of the Beaux-Arts Classical style of architecture, designed by the Warren & Wetmore and Reed and Stem firms who also designed New York City’s Grand Central Terminal. The price tag for this 500,000-square-foot (46,000 m2) building was $15 million when it was built. Detroit’s Roosevelt Park creates a grand entryway for the station. Photo:
Jean-Pierre Lavoie, photojpl.com
Introduction
At the time of its construction, the Michigan Central Station (also known as Michigan Central Depot or MCS) was the tallest rail station in the world. It was built in 1913 for the Michigan Central Railroad.
The introduction to Detroit’s Michigan Central Station says the Michigan Central Station was designed by Warren & Wetmore and Reed & Stem, the firms who were the architects of New York’s Grand Central Station. The station, in spite of its decayed state, clearly shows architectural grandeur and the Majestic building is a true landmark. It has even been used in a music video by Eminem. in his video: Beautiful
[25 Pictures]
![5260169510 23556c35f1 b From Majestic to Decay Michigan Central Train Station [25 Pics]](http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5169/5260169510_23556c35f1_b.jpg "Michigan Central Train Station, arial shot")
The station’s most distinctive architectural feature lay not inside but was the office tower rising above the station proper. Rumored as a possible hotel, it actually housed offices.
![5259563033 617f1d98ec b From Majestic to Decay Michigan Central Train Station [25 Pics]](http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5286/5259563033_617f1d98ec_b.jpg "Michigan Central Train Station, floorplan")
Michigan Central Train Station floorplan (photo: forgottendetroit.com)
![5260170266 5087b98a90 b From Majestic to Decay Michigan Central Train Station [25 Pics]](http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5283/5260170266_5087b98a90_b.jpg "MCS - The main waiting room")
The main waiting room on the main floor was modeled after an ancient Roman bathhouse with walls of marble. Photo:
Jean-Pierre Lavoie, photojpl.com
![5259562837 d536519dc6 From Majestic to Decay Michigan Central Train Station [25 Pics]](http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5003/5259562837_d536519dc6.jpg "Main Entrance - 1930")
Main Entrance – 1930
![5260170148 a4c416de64 b From Majestic to Decay Michigan Central Train Station [25 Pics]](http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5049/5260170148_a4c416de64_b.jpg "Main MCS waiting room facing west")
Main MCS waiting room facing west. The station’s decline is made painfully obvious in 1967 when the main waiting room and park entrance are closed due to declining passenger traffic. Also facilities such as the arcade shops and restaurant closed. Gradually the building deteriorated. Photo:
Jean-Pierre Lavoie, photojpl.com
![5259562951 82ddc9f338 From Majestic to Decay Michigan Central Train Station [25 Pics]](http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5129/5259562951_82ddc9f338.jpg "The main MCS waiting room, 1967")
By 1967 the main waiting room was closed to travelers and used merely for storage; it is difficult to conceive of these splendid benches being relegated to use as a mere shelving system. Hanging on by a thread, the Michigan Central continued to operate without its restaurant or even the main park entrance. (Dave Jordano, Courtesy of the Burton Historical Collection)
![5260170028 bfcd7ecfb2 b From Majestic to Decay Michigan Central Train Station [25 Pics]](http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5289/5260170028_bfcd7ecfb2_b.jpg "Michigan Central Station Ticket Lobby")
Facing north towards ticket lobby, a hall of massive paired Doric columns. Photo:
Jean-Pierre Lavoie, photojpl.com
![5259562001 11303e29c8 b From Majestic to Decay Michigan Central Train Station [25 Pics]](http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5004/5259562001_11303e29c8_b.jpg "Michigan Central Station, main waiting room facing east")
Michigan Central Station, main waiting room facing east. Open throughout much of the 90′s, the station has been vandalized. Its plaster and brass details were gutted out by scavengers. Photo:
Jean-Pierre Lavoie, photojpl.com
![5260170764 04b7c972cf z From Majestic to Decay Michigan Central Train Station [25 Pics]](http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5207/5260170764_04b7c972cf_z.jpg "Michigan Central Station waiting room, 1913")
Michigan Central Station waiting room, 1913. The centerpiece of the new depot was its waiting room, modeled after an ancient Roman bath. credit: forgottendetroit.com
![5260169610 150f240714 b From Majestic to Decay Michigan Central Train Station [25 Pics]](http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5049/5260169610_150f240714_b.jpg "MCS Ticket booth")
MCS Ticket booth. Most of the interior has fallen victim to ‘urban miners’ who break in to steal any stone accents, wire and even copper tubing and bricks to sell as scrap. The removal of these materials causes extensive damage throughout, resulting in the interior being completely destroyed. Urban guerrilla artists have taken advantage of the vacant wall space. Photo:
Jean-Pierre Lavoie, photojpl.com
![5259561917 1e1cabd021 b From Majestic to Decay Michigan Central Train Station [25 Pics]](http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5087/5259561917_1e1cabd021_b.jpg "Michigan Central Train Station Arcade")
Michigan Central Train Station’s door to the arcade, with shops. Photo:
Jean-Pierre Lavoie, photojpl.com
![5259562685 49b05e71b0 b From Majestic to Decay Michigan Central Train Station [25 Pics]](http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5006/5259562685_49b05e71b0_b.jpg "MCS Restaurant area")
MCS Restaurant area. Smaller rooms for women and men were placed at either end of the waiting room as were a cafe and restaurant. Photo:
Jean-Pierre Lavoie, photojpl.com
![5260169400 e878b75484 b From Majestic to Decay Michigan Central Train Station [25 Pics]](http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5165/5260169400_e878b75484_b.jpg "Michigan Central Train Station concourse facing east")
Michigan Central Train Station concourse facing east. Photo:
Jean-Pierre Lavoie, photojpl.com
![5259562789 31d55136f6 b From Majestic to Decay Michigan Central Train Station [25 Pics]](http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5250/5259562789_31d55136f6_b.jpg "Michigan Central Train Station concourse facing west")
Michigan Central Train Station concourse facing west. It was at the concourse that one departed for their trains. Photo:
Jean-Pierre Lavoie, photojpl.com
![5259563645 5c2e797e94 b From Majestic to Decay Michigan Central Train Station [25 Pics]](http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5284/5259563645_5c2e797e94_b.jpg "MCS, concourse copper skylight and ramp to trains")
Ramp to trains. The Concourse was far simpler then the waiting room, with walls of brick rather then marble. But it featured a massive copper skylight. From the concourse one passed through a similarly styled ramp down into a long tunnel to the train platform. Photo:
Jean-Pierre Lavoie, photojpl.com
![5260169918 4517599a5f b From Majestic to Decay Michigan Central Train Station [25 Pics]](http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5010/5260169918_4517599a5f_b.jpg "Michigan Central Station exterior, in front facing west")
Michigan Central Station exterior, in front facing west. Detroit City Council voted on April 7, 2009, to demolish the building, passing a resolution that calls for expedited demolition. Photo:
Jean-Pierre Lavoie, photojpl.com
![5260170868 4b31c3b943 b From Majestic to Decay Michigan Central Train Station [25 Pics]](http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5241/5260170868_4b31c3b943_b.jpg "Michigan Central Train Station Arial photo")
Michigan Central Train Station Arial photo. 11 tracks in all. credit seedetroit.com
![5260170710 e74297490b From Majestic to Decay Michigan Central Train Station [25 Pics]](http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5250/5260170710_e74297490b.jpg "Michigan Central Station with trains")
The station thrived prior to the Second World War. During the Second World War the rails were crowded with military traffic and the MCS saw many tearful good-byes as soldiers departed for the front. After the Second World War, however, the slow decline began.
![5259563121 8cd93ae7d9 b From Majestic to Decay Michigan Central Train Station [25 Pics]](http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5161/5259563121_8cd93ae7d9_b.jpg "Architectural detail on Michigan Central Station")
Architectural detail on Michigan Central Station. Credit: seedetroit.com
![5259563217 d3e719347f b From Majestic to Decay Michigan Central Train Station [25 Pics]](http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5125/5259563217_d3e719347f_b.jpg "Michigan Central Station upper floor interior")
Michigan Central Station upper floor interior. The lower floors had marble lined corridors while the upper floors were bare. credit: seedetroit.com
![5259563335 4a2b2fd056 b From Majestic to Decay Michigan Central Train Station [25 Pics]](http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5128/5259563335_4a2b2fd056_b.jpg "View out the window on top floor of MCS")
View out the window on top floor of MCS. The total composition included 18 levels above ground. credit: seedetroit.com
![5259563433 01393fca03 b From Majestic to Decay Michigan Central Train Station [25 Pics]](http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5082/5259563433_01393fca03_b.jpg "Roof of MCS, facing west")
Roof of MCS, facing west. Credit: seedetroit.com
![5260171340 fa0b7a8053 b From Majestic to Decay Michigan Central Train Station [25 Pics]](http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5009/5260171340_fa0b7a8053_b.jpg "View from the roof of the Michigan Central Train Station")
View from the roof of the Michigan Central Train Station. Credit: seedetroit.com
![5259562587 0e4aa70c29 b From Majestic to Decay Michigan Central Train Station [25 Pics]](http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5002/5259562587_0e4aa70c29_b.jpg "Michigan Train Station, Main Entrance.")
Michigan Train Station, Main Entrance. On January 5, 1988 the last train departed. The building was permanently closed later that day. The building then started its quiet decay.
I saw this building when in Detroit a few years back and it’s magnificent. Those photos capture it very well–I also recommend a trip to see it “in person”; it’s worth it!
Is it bad that my first reaction to these photos was, “Beautiful. I’d love to visit,” but my second reaction was “Paintball Tournament at the Michigan Train Station!”
Magnificent and depressing at the same time. Better hurry if that resolution to demolish was passed.
What a magnificent building !!! I am awed by the desecration of this monument by the American citizens. Surely it can be saved. If not, wouldnt the architectural pieces be saved or sold so they are not lost ? Detroit should be ashamed of themselves, as should any other city allowing similar incidents.
I agree. This is the quintessential monument to the fallen civilization that America is becoming. Buildings like this reflected the virtues and values of a civilization that was in its ascendancy…compare the soaring aesthetic vision of our public buildings then with say, the post offices or concrete shed bus stations that have been built since the 70s. We should all be ashamed that we have allowed stunningly beautiful buildings like this to deteriorate–symptomatic of our abandonment of not only rail transportation but the public realm in general.
Very well worded! I agree whole-heartedly. Can nothing be done to save this and other such places? It would seem a better use of gov. funds than rescuing greedy financiers and inept businesses. It could become a museum, perhaps, with the office tower being used for public and non-profit groups….
I agree with your comment. The sad truth is that Detroit is not the only city with such magnificent buildings in dispair. St. Louis is another city with many great buildings that are in rapid decay.
Somebody will eventually come along and fix this building up. Its a wonder that it has not been done already. It has beautiful architecture and is a great piece of history. The person who fixes it up will be able to rent out the rooms to businesses that will surely be interested in making their home there. I hope it happens soon because it is a shame to see this building in such bad shape.
The true art work to create such a magnificent building, the cost involved, and to let the decay of such a great building, is a disgrace to the American People. The people who desecrate such structures, are nothing but animals with no moral standards. What a waste of beauty and workmanship. For shame Michigan, for shame!!!
Tre bele. Al mi tre placxhas la fotoj. Estas tre interesa temo, bonkvalitaj fotoj. Grandan dankon.
Vladimir.
How beautiful it once was and how sad and depressing it looks now. No wonder culture is difficult to find in the US because nobody wants to save old buildings for instance
Very telling of the state of our Union. We used to be able to build beautiful, inspiring, and complex things. Now, we destroy them. How sad.
It is hard to understand why the city did not see fit to save this fine building and convert it into a museum or an art gallery. A railroad museum with large model railroad displays would have suited its history. Other spaces could have also been rented to other businesses. Too bad no one had the forethought to do this before it became so dilapitated and expensive to restore.
Detroit has many needs and limited resources. The cost for restoration was simply too great for our state of economic decline. Also, the auto industry giants in Detroit made sure the train industry was not a priority for the city, as it worked against their interests.
Another good piece of evidence of the decline of America. Worder why there was no Pork in the budget to refurb this historic building. Of course with currently required Union Labor it would probably be too costly to refurbish. Just breaks my heart to see stuff like this!
Heartbreaking!!!!!!!!!
This building reminds me of the movie Solient Green…..is this were we’re getting to?? Shame on Mighigan and whoever was responsible for all this, for letting it happen…looks like a war zone.
You are absolutely right Doris. I remember riding past this magnificent ediface on the streetcar as a little boy. And to think that this same ruination has happened to a great deal of the once proud City of Detroit. This beautiful structure will never come back, as it would be too expensive to restore, like so many other beautiful structures in and about the City of Detroit, which I remember as a warm, vibrant City, second to none in its friendliness. The stores, the beautiful stores, the theaters, the railroad stations, Grand Circus Park, the beautiful hotels, the statuary, and yes, Briggs Stadium where the Tigers and the Lions played. Even Delray, with its Southwestern High School had its own beauty and culture, and the Boblo Boats, the Put in Bay and Cedar Point Steamers, and I suppose even the newer Rennascance Hotel – now an auto giants headquarters, and the wonderful Sanders Stores on Woodward Avenue. If you did not live in that time – the thirties, forties and fifties, you missed a real treat and a real City! What a pity it has decayed so. I took my last ride out of Detroit on a passenger train courtesy of the US Army when I left her to go to Fort Knox, Kentucky! And how I miss her now!!
Absolutely my favorite building in Detroit, and one I cover extensively. And to echo what’s already been said, what happened to a piece of art like this is a crime. We’ll never see craftsmanship like this again.
Arrived in Detroit at the Michigan Central Station when I was two years old. My father was an electrical engineer who worked there until he retired in 1954. My brother also worked there for 20 years. Our family left for our vacations from those glorious rooms and returned there. It was always a most fascinating place — long before airports became the centers of travel. I’dm disheartened and depressed by seeing what has happened to this “palace” of my childhood. As others have expressed — how could a civilized society have stood by and let that happen?
This is Detroit. ‘Nuff said.
Having been born not far from the train station, it is sad to see this beautiful building in such decay. As a child in the forties, I have great memories of the hustle and bustle of people and soldiers coming and going on the trains and sometimes it was my turn to take a trip. My family lived just down the street on 14th and we would walk there in the evenings to enjoy looking at the lights of the building. How pretty I thought it was. The gardens in front were also well kept and beautiful. It makes me sad when I go back to Detroit and see so much of the city gone or in great disrepair.
So sad to see the deterioration of this magnificent building. I hope a way can be found to save it, in some manner.
What a shame, as a young man I traveled from Michigan through this rail station and can remember the grand feeling I got just sitting in the lobby and eating a snak in the Restuarant. So sad that the city or state couldn’t save it, but the city can’t save it self let alone a grand building.
Makes me want to cry!
betty jo
Detroit is a prime example of what happens to a city when Democrats control all aspects of government for 40 years. See also: New Orleans.
I remember going there to pick up my grandmother when she would come to visit, the place was beautiful and impressive still, even in the late 70′s – early 80′s. It is truly disgusting to see what has happened, not only to the train station, but to the rest of the city also. This is just more proof that the city of Detroit is the “armpit of the earth”…. Most people are proud of their hometown, not me, I hate Detroit and will never go back. The decline of the city really gained steam when Coleman Young took office as mayor, he set the standard for corruption and greed that has prevailed in the city’s administration for around 40 years now, and yet he is treated as a hero. I am willing to bet that if Kwame Kilpatrick came back and ran for mayor, he would get voted in with no problem. I really feel sorry for anyone that still has to live there.
its so sad to see a building such as that falling into decay !
Hey, Dwayne: Just exactly WHAT is Detroit?
A shame that such a magnificent building can’t be restored for an alternative use
I was blessed to have worked in that building when it was still alive and thriving!! Early in my railroad career I remember going there to sign up for the credit union, then later working in several locations, timekeeping,mechanical reporting, claims research and fileing. I was working on the 12th floor when Michigan had it’s first known inland HURRICANE!!!! back in ’80.. I remember the “split-pea skies” and my boss Mr D Cawood being blown across the room when he went to close the window!! I remember an old friend that was working as a janitor letting me go up on the roof for an awesome view of the city, you could see the old Tiger Stadium from there . We often parked our cars in the (then secured lots) and walked to
the games.. We walked across the street at lunchtime to eat at the Roosevelt Hotel untill the roaches took over the place!! Then in the mid-80′s I worked there in crew-dispatching and was lucky to travel on the last running trains from there to Cleveland before they shut them down and moved us to Dearborn ..I’ll never forget Freddie (baggage man , janitor, jack-of-all trades, and Miss Judy (Frankie’s mom) that ran the elevator with all her bangles and bracelets that tinkeled along with her musical laughter!! We even were lucky enough to see them filming a movie during our lunch break..(The only star I remember was the guy that played Carmen Ragoose on Laverne and Shirley who appeared to be bored with the whole thing as he placed cigarettes up his nose while waiting for his shot) Oh yeah some memorable times…It’s such a shame it couldn’t be restored for
SOME purpose..I did enjoy seeing an episode of the new TV show Detroit 187 that was filmed there, there MUST be SOMEONE SOMEWHERE that
could afford to restore it for the sake of the city’s history to remember what it ONCE was . One can only hope and remember…
I remember as a child taking train trips to Chicago to see my Grandmother or going down to the train station to meet her when she would come here. Late 50′s. I miss those days. I told my daughter that taking the Amtrak is so much different than taking the train from back then.
Last footprints of the latter days of the last, and greatest Caucasian Empire the world will ever see. Sadness? No. Pride that it was ever done. The torch has been past by the mysterious powers that control us here on earth, to the Asians, to the Chinese, who built Shanghai in decades.
This is so heartbreaking …to see these photos…This place was near ruins when I was a growing up and now is the perfect metaphor for a once grand city with a proud history, promise of a fresh start for immigrants from both other countries and other states.
I can imagine my great grandfather who coudn’t speak a word of English when he arrived in 1909 but worked, lived, and died within a mile or two of this place, gazing up at the old station in the morning and evenings on his way to and from the Ford plant at which he worked.
I remember being transfixed by the building and its architecture even as its decay began to accelerate while taking car trips downtown with my grandparents…they knew what was happening and where the station was headed even then but I supposed they’d be surprised it hasn’t been demolished alerady. It certainly is the perfect setting for those post apocolyptic movie sets it has been attracting over the last few years. Sadly, it takes a city beginning to boom to invest the money it takes to save remnants of decay like this and it is rare that a city can be saved, can turn around to the extent required for its leaders to admire the city of old and invest in its preservation. By then it is usually too late.
Detroit has too many problems, too many suffering, to invest public funds into a project like this. I haven’t been back in so many years I don’t even know if this bulding has been demolished by the time I write this.
Seeing these photos remind of those views of the station on drives with my aging grandparents so many years ago. Walt Whitman’s poem about witnessing the death throes of the wounded Civil War soldiers is apt here as well… “…I recall the experience sweet and sad.”
I am so in love with this building and its Roman-American architecuture that I have decided I am going to start a non-prophit to restore it and make it profitable for investors, businesses and the community at-large. I believe with the current Detroit 2.0 spirit this can be done with some BST-blood, sweat, and tears.