{"nrhp_refnum":"78001189","name":"Union Station","other_names":["Union Station and Central Passenger Station","Union Passenger"],"category":"building","location":{"address":"Madison St.","address_restricted":false,"city":"Springfield","county":"Sangamon County","state":"IL","lat":39.803696184000046,"lon":-89.64834247499994,"geom_source":"nps_gis"},"listed_date":"1978-11-27","is_nhl":false,"nhl_designated_date":null,"areas_of_significance":["Transportation","Architecture"],"significance_levels":["state"],"summary":{"what_it_is":"Union Station is a railroad passenger station on Madison Street between 5th and 6th Streets in Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois. It was designed in 1897 by Illinois Central Railroad architect Francis T. Bacon and built in 1898.","why_significant":"The nomination argues the station reflects the importance and impact of railroads on a community like Springfield, and is a representative example of Romanesque Revival style adapted by midwestern architects. It is the most intact Springfield station from the Civil War to World War II era, and was the site of events such as a presidential departure in 1898 and the 1936 Green Diamond train visit.","narrative":"Union Station in Springfield, Illinois, is a brick passenger depot on Madison Street, designed in 1897 by Illinois Central Railroad architect Francis T. Bacon and completed in 1898 for about $75,000. Its Romanesque Revival design uses brown, red and buff pressed brick, Bedford limestone trim, a steep hip roof of red tile and copper, and Art Nouveau terra cotta details, over a wood frame. A 90-foot clock tower was removed in 1946, and two office bays were added in 1924. Inside, oak woodwork, marble, mosaics and original waiting room benches survive. The station served several railroads, opened direct Springfield to St. Louis service in 1900, and handled heavy traffic during State Fair seasons. It saw President McKinley's departure in 1898, a 1926 visit by Queen Marie of Rumania, and the 1936 Green Diamond diesel train celebration. Passenger service ended in 1971. It is considered the most intact Springfield station from the railroad era.","period_of_significance":"1800-1899 (constructed 1898)","architect_builder":"I.C.R.R. / Francis T. Bacon","architectural_style":"Romanesque Revival with Sullivanesque details","criteria":[],"status_note":"Marked unoccupied and in fair condition; the last passenger train passed through on April 30, 1971. The structure is described as largely intact despite vandalism and minor fire damage.","vacant_flag":true,"machine_generated":true,"model":"claude-sonnet-5-5","prompt_version":"v1.0-2026-10-29","generated_at":"2026-10-29 02:55:35.782415-05","source_pdf":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/opastorage/live/66/8940/28894066/content/electronic-records/rg-079/NPS_IL/78001189.pdf"},"photo":{"url_800":"https://nationalhistoricalregister.com/media/78001189/bf54c39239-800.webp","url_1600":"https://nationalhistoricalregister.com/media/78001189/bf54c39239-1600.webp","licence":"Public domain","author":"Bill Pollard (RI-Bill at en.wikipedia)","credit_html":"<a href=\"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Springfield_Union_Station_waiting_room_2007.jpg\" rel=\"noopener\">Bill Pollard (RI-Bill at en.wikipedia)</a>, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons","source_page":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Springfield_Union_Station_waiting_room_2007.jpg"},"district":null,"sources":{"nps_snapshot_date":"2026-05-22","nara_catalog":"https://catalog.archives.gov/id/28894066","wikipedia":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Springfield_Union_Station_(Illinois)","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7581097"},"indexable":true,"url":"https://nationalhistoricalregister.com/illinois/sangamon-county/union-station-78001189/"}