End of the Line

Michigan Central Station was once a bustling hub of one of America's most prominent industrial cities however its golden age has long passed. Built in 1912 the station was the tallest train station in the world upon completion. The upper floors were office spaces while the lower floors housed restaurants, arcades, and ticket offices for passengers embarking and disembarking on the trains. Built far from the city with the expectation that development would be encouraged by its presence, the structure became an icon.

Success first came with the start of WWI in which more than 200 trains departed daily from the station and over 4000 passengers a day. Even with the end of WWI the station saw hope in the purchase of nearby land by automotive tycoon Henry Ford who would build many factories increasing the communities growth and traffic. WWII also brought money through the station as once again trains left often shipping material to the war effort and ports. However upon the end of WWII the stations glory came to an end.

Cars became the preferred mode of travel however Michigan Central Station had no large parking facility and was unable to incorporate the demand. This cut off the station from most of the downtown leading to a large decrease in traffic. The station was eventually closed in 1988 when the last train departed and upkeep costs of the building were considered to high to keep the facility open. Today it sites abandoned and decaying from vandalism and the presence of homeless people due to the recent recession. The site is a national heritage site and the city is in discussion as to what should be done to save the structure. The state of the building is decaying rapidly and the city finally decided to replace the windows and roof in 2011, this should save the building from further decay until planned renovations and restoration can be done.