The Rise & Fall of Penn Station

Overview

In 1910, the Pennsylvania Railroad successfully accomplished the enormous engineering feat of building tunnels under New York City's Hudson and East Rivers, connecting the railroad to New York and New England, knitting together the entire eastern half of the United States. The tunnels terminated in what was one of the greatest architectural achievements of its time, Pennsylvania Station. Penn Station covered nearly eight acres, extended two city blocks, and housed one of the largest public spaces in the world. But just 53 years after the station’s opening, the monumental building that was supposed to last forever, to herald and represent the American Empire, was slated to be destroyed.

Cast

Michael Murphy

Narrator

Crew

Where to Watch

PBS Documentaries Amazon Channel

More Like This

Newsies

1992

S.A.L.P. Esercizio di memoria

2012

Extranjeros de sí mismos

2000

Not Quite Hollywood

2008