Ep 6. The Rise and Fall of Penn Station

The American Experience season 26 episode 6 titled "The Rise and Fall of Penn Station" chronicles the fascinating story of a massive engineering project that gave rise to one of New York City's most beloved transportation hubs. The episode showcases the history of Penn Station, a majestic Beaux-Arts structure that was built in the early 20th century by the Pennsylvania Railroad and served as a gateway to the city for millions of travelers for over half a century.

The episode is a cautionary tale about the importance of preserving historic landmarks, particularly ones that hold such important cultural significance. Through a combination of eye-opening archival footage and interviews with experts, historians, and everyday New Yorkers, the episode explores the history of Penn Station, its construction, and its eventual demise.

The episode situates the construction of Penn Station within the larger context of the push towards progress and modernization in early 20th century America. The railroad companies of the time, including the Pennsylvania Railroad, were at the forefront of this movement, and they saw the construction of a massive, modern station as a way to attract more passengers and compete with other forms of transportation.

The challenges of building such a massive structure in the heart of Manhattan were immense, but the episode highlights how the architects and engineers involved in the project were able to overcome them, resulting in a stunning achievement of human engineering and design.

The episode also explores the important role that Penn Station played in the social and cultural life of New York City. The station was more than just a transportation hub; it was a grand public space that served as a symbol of the city's power and influence. Thousands of people would gather in the station's main waiting room to greet arriving loved ones or simply to admire the station's soaring architecture.

The episode takes a deeper look into the events that led to the eventual destruction of Penn Station, which occurred in the mid-1960s despite a massive public outcry against its demolition. The episode traces the decline of the railroad industry in the postwar years and the growing popularity of automobiles and air travel. As a result, the station fell into neglect, and the railroad companies that owned it began to see it as a liability rather than an asset.

The episode also details the various efforts that were made to save the station, including campaigns to have it designated as a National Historic Landmark and calls to turn it into a public space. Despite these efforts, however, the station was eventually sold and demolished, replaced by the current Penn Station, which is located underground and lacks the grandeur and civic presence of the original.

Overall, "The Rise and Fall of Penn Station" is a compelling and informative episode that sheds light on an important piece of New York City's history and serves as a cautionary tale about the need to preserve our most important cultural landmarks. Through the use of archival footage and interviews with experts, historians, and regular citizens, the episode offers a nuanced and complex portrait of a time and a place that continues to fascinate and inspire us.