Built 1914 Opened 1914 Architectural style American Craftsman Added to NRHP 1998 | NRHP Reference # 98001056 Phone +1 260-749-1162 Architecture firm George B. Swift & Co. Architect Will Price | |
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Location 221 West Baker Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana Address 221 W Baker St, Fort Wayne, IN 46802, USA Similar Karpeles Manuscript Library M, Fort Wayne Old City Hall Build, Richardville House, Johnny Appleseed Park, Hilliard Gates Sports Ce | ||
Pennsylvania Railroad Station, also referred to as Baker Street Station, is a former passenger rail station in downtown Fort Wayne, Indiana. The American Craftsman-style station opened to the public March 23, 1914, at a cost of $550,000.
History
The station saw its most heavy usage during World War II, when about 3,000 visitors passed through the station daily. The station was also frequented by politicians on whistle stop train tours, including U.S. Presidents Harding, Coolidge, Hoover, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Truman, and Eisenhower.
In the second half of the 20th century, the station served as a stop on Amtrak's Broadway Limited (Chicago—Pittsburgh—New York) line until November 1990 when Amtrak was forced to reroute about 25 miles north of Fort Wayne.
Today, Baker Street Station's concourse is used as a banquet hall and community events space, while the east and west wings have been converted into office space. Over the last decade, residents and local leaders have begun a movement to bring passenger rail service back to the city and station in the form of Amtrak or other high-speed rail service.
Although the station has been without passenger rail service for over 20 years, it has remained a landmark to the city, designated a Fort Wayne Local Historic District in 1990. and later, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1998.