Includes bibliographical references (pages 279-283) and index.

Introduction: the continental divide -- Humble beginnings -- Coming together -- A depot worthy of chicago -- A most public service -- A colossus of the roads -- City within a city -- Red ink in the white city -- Remodeling the depot, remaking the city.

"More than a century before airlines placed it at the center of their systems, Chicago was already the nation's transportation hub -from Union Station, passengers could reach major cities on the Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf coasts as well as countless points in between. Chicago's history is tightly linked to its railroads. Railroad historian Fred Ash begins in the mid 1800's, when Chicago dominated Midwest trade and was referred to as the "Railroad Capital of the World." During this period, swings in the political climate significantly modified the relationship between the local government and its largest landholders, the railroads. From here, Ash highlights competition at the turn of the twentieth century between railroad companies that greatly influenced Chicago's urban landscape. Profiling the fascinating stories of businessmen, politicians, workers, and immigrants whose everyday lives were affected by the bustling transportation hub, Ash documents the impact Union Station had on the growing city and the entire Midwest. Featuring more than 100 photographs of the famous Beaux-Arts architecture, Chicago Union Station is a beautifully illustrated tribute to one of America's overlooked treasures."--Provided by publisher.