Page 13 - Leisure Living Magazine Spring 2018

Saving Grand Central Station
By Justice Paul E. Pfeifer, Ohio Supreme Court
It was only a train station, but it was perhaps the most beautiful building in New York City. Penn- sylvania Station. The architects who designed it wanted to recreate “a jewel of a building from ancient Rome.” In fact, they wanted to improve upon the masterpiece of Roman architecture—the Baths of Caracalla. And those who saw Penn Sta- tion declared that they had succeeded.
In 2003, Alistair
Cooke, the British-born
American journalist and
broadcaster, wrote about
Penn Station. When it
was done in 1910, Cooke
said, “It was opened to
the public who came
in awestruck droves to
gaze at the block long
line of stately Doric col-
umns, which led to the
vast waiting room, ...
with its splendid vaulted
ceiling ... and from there
you passed into the
great concourse,” where
the architects “had produced a creation of glass arches, domes and fan vaulting with the new steel.”
Americans who weren’t even taking a train came to marvel at the station. It was an international tourist destination, and there was every reason to believe Penn Station would be dazzling people for generations to come.
But then the 20th century happened. As Cooke pointed out, “fashion in architecture, as in every- thing else, changes and can sometimes change
drastically. By the mid 20th century the European intel- ligentsia came and looked
at Pennsylvania Station and remained to chuckle and to sneer.”
What changed people’s perception about Penn Station? It was mostly a rebellion in architec- ture—led by German architect Walter Gro-
www.LeisureLivingMagazine.com
Spring 2018 LeisureLiving | 13
Postcard of Grand Central Terminal, c. 1915
pius—that rejected frills and all forms of classical romantic building design. Gropius invented the “international style:” buildings that looked like a monolithic, large upright plank of concrete. He sought to create structures “free of untruths or ornamentation,” and because of his influence, the style gained popularity.
Continued on page 14
Fresh Home Killed Meats Retail & Home Freezer Pork & Beef
Home Made Luncheon Meats, Weiners & Bologna
Think of us for your
Easter Ham
Over
86
4637 St. Route 19 North of Fremont 419-332-1747 hasselbachmeats.com
Years
BREAKFAST LUNCH DINNER
Marblehead Galley & Freighters Lounge
Homemade Soups, Bread & Desserts Open Fri. thru Mon. until March 12 RE-OPEN 7 DAYS ON MARCH 16 Daily 7am-8pm, later on weekends Check web for Menu and Specials Coming Soon: BEACH BUMS Gift Shop!
113 West Main St., Downtown Marblehead 419-798-5356 ● www.marbleheadgalley.com
Where the locals come to eat!
$2 OFF
any check valued
at $19.99 or more
Limit 1 per table. Expires 5/10/18