A Passenger’s Point of View

Let’s head back to 1945, and you’re getting your first view of the Passenger Concourse. As you enter you see the shine of Botticino marble that covers the walls and lofted ceilings of the entry lobby. You enter the massive Concourse space, which is bustling with activity. Looking up, you see a barrel-vaulted ceiling with each end of the concourse flanked by a dome and a balcony. The smooth marble wainscoting contrasts wonderfully with the rough buff-colored tile above it. Patterned Botticelli marble floors glisten in the lights from the ceiling. Warm light also glows from the Art Deco tulip-shaped lights lining the entire perimeter of the Concourse.

The glorious scent of coffee in the air reminds you that you have time for breakfast before your train.

You remember reading in the Buffalo Courier-Express that the Concourse level has terrazzo floors in four colors: Botticino, Cedar, Pink Tennessee and Red Verona. Botticino marble covers the walls in a 15-foot wainscoting, while Guastavino tile, which you’ve read dampens sound, covers the vaulted walls and ceilings. You smile, remembering that the tile installation was so complex that it took eight months to complete.

You head to the right and stand in line at one of ticket windows. As you look up, you see the double-paned arched Mezzanine windows, and you see New York Central Terminal employees crank open the operable panes to let in some fresh air.

You stare for a moment at the intricate metalwork supporting the balcony railing. Distracted, you don’t notice the person in the ticket booth trying to get your attention. Finally, you tear your eyes away and head to the booth. You buy your ticket, getting a seat in a Pullman sleeping car. A young Black man wearing a uniform and red cap offers to take your bags and show you to your berth. Since it’s going to be a long trip to Chicago, you decide to grab a newspaper before you meet your friend for the trip. You tell the Red Cap this, show him your ticket, tip him, and off he goes with your luggage, to set up your berth.

As the Red Cap departs, you head to the Union News Company booth. A family is getting their picture taken with Stuffy, the bison statue.  You’d thought that Stuffy was an actual stuffed bison, but it turns out that he’s actually a preserved bison skin stretched over a metal and paper-mâché frame! Who knew?

A few moments later, you smile as pair of young men in Army uniforms take tufts of Stuffy’s hair and pocket them for luck. You check your watch, seeing that you still have 45 minutes before you meet your friend by the Concourse’s large clock in the middle of the floor prior to your trip. You cross the room, glancing at the clock as you head into the restaurant. You stop in the doorway, struck by the vision in front of you: Gold geometric designs on the far wall, below mirrored glass. A rounded W-shaped counter, mostly full. You grab a seat, still looking around. Maybe you have time for breakfast after all.

Photo courtesy of Nancy J. Parisi

Social Documentation Photography.