ART DECO MASTERPIECE

Cincinnati Union Terminal—a half-hemisphere of limestone and glass, is an Art Deco masterpiece! I had forgotten how gorgeous this National Historic Landmark is and how much I loved visiting it as a child. I am old enough to remember when it was a train station, and remember going on field trips to see the intricately-made and sparkling mosaics that once graced the terminal walls. Two of the larger mosaics are still at Union Terminal in the rotunda, but 14 of them, I believe, are now at The Greater Cincinnati Airport in Covington, Kentucky.

Trains stopped running in Union Terminal in the early 70’s. Cincinnati was on a course to lose one of the finest examples of Art Deco architecture in the country. Fortunately, Union Terminal was saved from the fate that befell many inner city train stations—it was turned into a shopping mall in the early 80’s. This project failed almost immediately because of the recession. Actually, Jerry Springer, as mayor of Cincinnati, was instrumental in his efforts to save Union Terminal. He even recorded a song about it…and sang it on a local T.V. show!

There was a time when no one knew if the Union Terminal would be saved… However, in the mid to late 80’s it was decided that the terminal would be completely renovated and transformed into a cultural and historical center. It is now called Museum Center and you can find the Museum of Natural History, the Historical Society Museum and Library, and the Children’s Museum of Cincinnati, as well as an OmniMax Theater, all under one roof.

Because of the success of the Museum Center, Amtrak resumed train service to the terminal in 1991. A train on the Chicago to Washington, D.C. route now makes a stop at Union Terminal.

Many of the beautiful art deco architectural details are still there to enjoy. The green fountain in front of the Terminal is amazing. There are shell details from which the water spouts out. The footprint of the fountain resembles a scallop shell. Water cascades down several levels (or steps) with smoothly curved barrier sides. Again, the shell motif is inferred, but I also see the sleek lines of a railroad car in the design.

The curve of the building’s half-domed design is repeated in many details of the building. I love the rotunda’s painted concentric circles and the stainless steel (or is it aluminum?) light atop the information kiosk. If you ever get to Cincinnati, please visit this Art Deco masterpiece. It will astound you! The museums are worth seeing, too.

Content and photos copyright 2007 by Janet Towbin.