Union Park Now: The Waiting Station Platform 3

The old post holes for the Waiting Station supports are still visible. Above are 2 examples, the second is in better condition than the first.

Union Park Now: The Waiting Station Platform 2

This photo illustrates the silt buildup on the Waiting Station platform. This image was taken in 2003 from the center of the platform looking South. From time to time the platform is cleared of silt. You can see that plants have started to grow on top of the soil that was deposited there. If left alone, this area will be reclaimed by nature someday.

Union Park Now: The Waiting Station Platform 1

This is an image of the right hand side of the Waiting Station platform. It appears that the platform was built up over the years as there are layer upon layer of cement. This would be due to the silt that builds up every Spring. The creek runs under the platform and continues down the trolley path. Over the years big chunks of the cement platform have crumbled into the creek bed and have been carried downstream. Notice the bushes and trees that are crowding in on the platform area.

Union Park Now: Dry Creek Bed alongside the Trolley Path

The creek ran alongside the trolley tracks. As you can see in this photo, it is usually dry. One can walk in the dry creek bed and find interesting artifacts both on the bottom and sides of the creek. Up farther in the park itself, there are areas where stone work is visible in an effort to control the meandering water.

Union Park Now: The Loop

This is a photo of The Loop & Waiting Station area as it appears today. The dark area in the center is the entrance. If you stand in the middle of the loop area, you can see that it still bears a resemblance to the postcards in the previous posts, The Loop postcards 1 & 3. The Loop still retains its circular shape as it did over 100 years ago. The cement platform and sidewalks are still in existence.

In the following posts you will see photos of the platform up close. Over the years I have seen it begin to crumble and erode. Every Spring the silt that builds up from melting snow and run off is removed. If it weren't removed, all evidence of the sidewalks and platform would be hidden.

Union Park Now: Entering the Loop

This image was taken from the same vantage point as the previous post; however, I was facing West towards the Loop instead of East. You can just see the Loop come into view. Imagine the Waiting Station directly ahead with flower gardens in the center. The Lodge would be to your left on the hillside.

Union Park Now: The Trolley Path

This is a photo of the trolley path as it appeared in 2003. You can almost see where the tracks were once laid. Standing by the side of the path, one can envision a trolley passing by as it entered Union Park in days gone by.

The Waiting Station, Union Park

The Depot at Union Park was also commonly known as The Waiting Station. This is one of my favorite images featuring the park in its heyday. The signs on trolley #71 advertise "Baseball Today" and "Union Park Shows - Twice Daily - Big - Free". It's a very crowded image which hints at the popularity of the park. The clothing is typical of the 1910s. Back in the early 1900s, a trip to Union Park was a special occasion; visitor dressed up in their Sunday best for a day at the park. Note that in the background to the left-hand side of The Waiting Station, The Pavilion is just visible.

The Depot, Union Park, postcard 3

This image features The Depot (a.k.a. The Waiting Station) tinted in a brick red color instead of the green we've seen previously. The plants featured in The Loop area have a different configuration. It appears that cannas were planted in the center garden that summer. Union Park was well-known for its collection of flowering plants. The groundskeeper, Mr. Bonz, kept the bulbs in the greenhouses during the Winter and replanted them in the Spring.

The Depot, Union Park, postcard 2

The Waiting Station was created to shelter patrons from inclement weather. It also created a grand entrance area to the park. This image features a summer open-air trolley, number 95. Notice the man standing by the flowerbed in the center; possibly he is the groundkeeper Mr. Bonz or perhaps Park Manager L.D. Mathes. Who knows? Under magnification it is possible to see little bridges that divert visitors to the left and right after arriving at the park. Also, you can see a building off to the right of the Waiting Station situated on the hill. Possibly these are the restrooms. This item was postally used in 1910.