The Rise & Fall of Penn Station (2004)

In the dawn of the 20th century, the Pennsylvania Railroad achieved a miraculous engineering marvel: unifying the vast eastern seaboard of the United States. This was accomplished by constructing colossal tunnels beneath the mighty Hudson and East Rivers. These tunnels served as the veins, pumping the lifeblood of transportation into the heart of New York City, and by extension, New England. The terminus of these tunnels was the magnificent Pennsylvania Station. This architectural wonder, akin to a modern day Roman palace, was conceived by the genius of Charles McKim. Drawing inspiration from the ancient Baths of Caracalla, Pennsylvania Station sprawled across eight acres, stretched over two city blocks, and encompassed one of the world's largest public spaces. However, a mere 53 years after its grand unveiling, the unthinkable was proposed. The once proud symbol of the American Empire, crippled by financial woes, was set to be razed. The Pennsylvania Railroad, once its proud creator, now its executioner, announced plans to demolish the iconic station to make way for Madison Square Garden. The destruction of Alexander Cassatt's masterpiece took three agonizing years. This brutal act of architectural homicide led to an awakening. In its aftermath, New York City established the Landmarks Preservation Commission, saving other historical edifices, like the Grand Central Terminal, from a similar fate. The Rise & Fall of Penn Station is a poignant chronicle of the birth, life, and untimely demise of an American architectural marvel.

The Rise & Fall of Penn Station is a documentary movie featuring Michael Murphy and directed by Randall MacLowry.

The Rise & Fall of Penn Station is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy.

It is also possible to buy The Rise & Fall of Penn Station on Amazon Video and Apple TV.