Union Station, which opened on June 25th, 1888, was the work of Boston architects Bradlee, Winslow, & Wetherell. The station’s architecture was inspired by the grandeur of medieval French chateaux, featuring granite walls and marble interior floors. A striking feature of the building was its 188-foot clock tower, which stood tall above the station.
The station served as a hub for trains from the Boston and Maine, Maine Central, and Portland and Ogdensburg railroads. However, passenger rail service by Maine Central ended in September 1960, and the Boston and Maine Railroad relocated their remaining trains to a different station. Union Station ultimately closed its doors on October 30th, 1960, and was demolished in August 1961. The loss of this historic structure led to the formation of the preservation group Greater Portland Landmarks in 1964.