Historic Union Passenger Station in Tacoma (Tacoma, WA)

In 1873, the Northern Pacific Company chose Tacoma as the western terminus of the transcontinental railroad. That designation helped it become a regional center for commercial development and industry.

Opened in 1911 after 2 years of construction, the Tacoma Union Passenger Station has a large copper dome, giving it a distinctive architecture and making it a local landmark. 

The number of railway passengers peaked during World War II, but quickly declined afterwards as Americans started driving cars more. Union Station's function as a passenger station ended when the last passenger train left on June 14, 1984.

Currently serving as a courthouse for the United States District Court, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. To honor its rich heritage, a smaller light rail station was named Union Station and serves commuters as part of Tacoma Link (a light rail serving downtown Tacoma).



 

*This posting was translated from a Korean post. Click here to read the original version.