Making way for modernization -- The Illinois Central Railroad's "Union Station" is being torn down to make way for the new Union Passenger Terminal in 1951. The UPT was the brainchild of then-mayor deLesseps Story "Chep" Morrison. Prior to the UPT, the railroads operated five separate passenger stations in the city. Morrison's vision was to unify passenger service, and the Loyola Avenue location of the IC's station made the best sense for the project.
Compare this photo with last week's, which is an aerial view of the trackage leading into Union Station from a couple years before it was demolished.
The Union Passenger Terminal still services Amtrak trains and Greyhound bus service.
Photo courtesy New Orleans Public Library
