After exploring Church Hill (in what is now yesterday) wandered to nearby Shockoe Bottom. I have been a few times past Main Street Station, which is quite the landmark from nearby I-95. It opened in 1901, and is listed as a National Historic Landmark. It has been restored due to damage from hurricanes in 1972 and 1985, and a fire did heavy damage I read in 1983. Back in the day though when trains were the primary method of long distance travel it was quite a place to leave from. Even today, it is very impressive and can see what an experience that must have been. It even had restaurants inside back in WWII into the 1980's.
This is a view of the concourse, which is just in front of the waiting room. As many as a million passengers per year passed through here when trains were king. Most of the columns were destroyed in the fire in 1983 (two survived) and are reproductions of the original. The train platform is beyond the waiting room, but you have to have a ticket to get out there, and I was not traveling today unfortunately. I did have some good views of the train tracks which are elevated; you get up to the concourse and the waiting room by stairs or elevator. There are also some display cases filled with old items from the days of train travel. This station though is still used and still hauls passengers to desitations. It was a very nice place to visit. 
Following that visit, I did do a little wandering around Shockoe Bottom. This being Sunday, Buffalo Wild Wings was packed with football fans; this being a sight common to many places in the US during game day. I have been here a few times, and also to Bottoms Up; plan to check out some of the other places in the Bottom, lots of interesting businesses to check out.Enjoyed my explorations of the area, and had a very good few hours in Richmond. Like Saturday and Sunday visits to Richmond; traffic tends to be a lot lighter and its easier to get around than it would tend to be during the week.
I love the Main Street Station especially that this is the only Triple Rail crossing in the world. I enjoy the pics you take too as mine never look so good LOL.Must have been the weekend for Buffalo Wings as we were there too ! Keep on writing as I enjoy all of it including Louisville updates as I have not been there in 30 years.
ReplyDeleteThanks Gypsy, and thanks for suggesting Church Hill, enjoyed exploring around there. Had been to St. John's Church, but a lot more to see there. Am a big fan of Buffalo Wild Wings; including the one in Concord, NC. Good place on football days. Louisville is where all these travels started from, nice town. Will be back there in the Spring. Should have some interesting stuff after this weekend, a lot of things on tap! Have a great weekend!
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