MAKING MEMORIES WITH GRAND CENTRAL STATION

MAKING MEMORIES WITH GRAND CENTRAL STATION

By:  Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger

Photographer:  George Whylie

Videographer:  Maxine Nolan

 

New Yorkers experienced a mix of emotions on Friday, February 1, 2013, as the historic landmark of Grand Central Station celebrated its 100th birthday just as the city woke up to learn the news that a legacy of New York City, former Mayor Ed Koch, had passed away early in the morning hours.

Grand Central Station has become one of the top ten attractions in the world for tourists to visit bringing in approximately 21,600,000 visitors each year.  Koch is partially responsible for that as he supported efforts to spare the station from demolition.

Celebrities, residents and tourists flocked to this charismatic landmark for the festivities.  A ceremony took place and began with a moment of silence for Koch.  Mayor Michael Bloomberg then praised and fondly remembered his predecessor who was always known for asking “How am I doing?” to those he served.  Koch helped to bring a crumbling station in declining times back to life in the 1970’s.  Bloomberg also began the Grand Central Terminal tribute ceremonies.  This is one of the largest rail stations in the world with 44 high-level platforms and 67 tracks servicing not only local commuters on a daily basis but also communities for miles away.  Also present on this monumental day was Caroline Kennedy whose mother played a major role in the restoration of the station, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.  She was strategic in making this location a historic landmark.

The West Point Brass & Percussion Band played a “Grand Central Centennial Fanfare”.  Melissa Manchester sang Cole Porter’s love song to the city, “I Happen to Like New York”, a song written in 1930 when Grand Central had just turned a young 17.

Acclaimed New York residents excited to speak about this massive draw to the city that never sleeps were ‘Sex and the City’ actress, Cynthia Nixon and former New York Mets star player, Keith Hernandez.  Both looked back on how often they come to Grand Central Station, how the station is part of New York City’s history and their love of what it holds for them personally.  A Bronx high school choir sang “Happy Birthday” and bakery workers brought out a cake shaped like Grand Central’s famous clock which is a well-known meeting place for generations of New Yorkers.

Transporting you back in time to 1913, Grand Central Terminal makes its debut.  It was known as the largest train station in the entire world.  With a huge ceiling resembling the night sky and the twinkling stars, travelers would look up and take their own spin on the beauty which became blackened by coal, diesel smoke and tobacco smoke over the decades.  In 1998, it underwent a 12-year restoration to reveal a more beautiful luster of astronomical elegance similar to a Michelangelo masterpiece.  The decadent vaulted ceiling is simply an amazing work of art.

The colossal electromechanical display board was an example of the power and prestige of industrial design in its age.

The station was a bustling bi-level station below the ground covering Park Avenue and becoming almost a smaller city within a large city.  A “secret” platform under the station at one time conveyed President Franklin D. Roosevelt directly to the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.  Grand Central Art Galleries gave those who entered its area a  lavish diversion as they waited and wandered.

The times were good and this colossal creation that took shape had afforded ease of transportation and a haven from the busy city to so many commuters.  Over 65 million people, which equates to 40% of the U.S. population, traveled through this building in 1947.  All was profitable and pleasing until the airlines and government subsidized highways came into the picture as frightening competition.  That was the first chapter in a rough story for the railroad and Grand Central was losing ground quickly as New York Central Railroad was facing bankruptcy.  Although it was a struggle, with the help of advocates such as Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Grand Central Station became a designated landmark under the New York City Landmarks Preservation Act.  The terminal was in dire need of beautification both inside and out.

Real estate tycoon, Donald Trump, through the means of a real estate deal within close proximity to the station, agreed to renovate the exterior.   The interior renovation soon followed and today what you have is one of the most gorgeous buildings in the city.  It not only serves as a commuting hub for travelers both near and far but it also houses some of the best shopping, culinary shopping pleasures and delicious dining establishments and coffee houses that the city can offer.  Grand Central has almost as many people walk through its doors each day as Alaska’s state population.  It has been featured in numerous novels and film and TV productions throughout the years.  ‘Superman: The Movie’, ‘Gossip Girl’, ‘Revolutionary Road’, ‘The Taking of Pelham 123’ and ‘The Cotton Club’ all come to mind when we envision Grand Central Station.  You catch a glimpse or more in each of these films/series.  Originally, back in 1949 to 1957, a live television studio was located right in the terminal where filming took place on a regular basis.

It was a magical day on February 1, 2013, with even larger crowds than normal gathering to pass through the historic walls of this great building to share in the festivities and historical  hoopla of the day.  Many of the restaurants had offers that were impossible to pass up.

The death of former Mayor Ed Koch was the only somber part of the day.   President Obama released a statement on Koch’s passing, “Ed Koch was an extraordinary Mayor, irrepressible character, and quintessential New Yorker. He took office at a time when New York was in fiscal crisis, and helped his city achieve economic renewal, expand affordable housing, and extend opportunity to more of its people. In public office and beyond, his energy, force of personality, and commitment to causes ranging from civic issues to the security of the state of Israel always informed and enlivened the public discourse. Michelle and I send our thoughts and prayers to Ed’s loved ones, and to the city that survives him.”

This major birthday is not just a one day affair but will last an entire year to be celebrated by all that pass through its doors.  There will be a performance piece by artist Nick Cave in March and a parade of trains in May.

Happy Birthday Grand Central Station!

PHOTO CREDITS:  Sandra Rosario, Google Images, Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times