Boat Shoes And Button Downs

Saturday, February 2, 2013

ENDURING ICONS

Yesterday, New York’s Grand Central Station turned one hundred. It was an event that has caught my attention as we paid homage to this great landmark.

REUTERS/Courtesy of Library of Congress/Handout

Built between 1903-1913, this shinning Beaux-Arts building has been an iconic structure for New Yorkers for decades, and has survived a number of economic declines and several demolition attempts. One of the strongest critics of its demolition was Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, who said:

"Is it not cruel to let our city die by degrees, stripped of all her proud monuments,

until there will be nothing left of all her history and beauty to inspire our children?

If they are not inspired by the past of our city, where will they find the strength to

fight for her future? Americans care about their past, but for short term gain they

ignore it and tear down everything that matters. Maybe… this is the time to take a

stand, to reverse the tide, so that we won't all end up in a uniform world of steel

and glass boxes."

Eventually, as threats of destruction continued, this monument was designated a “landmark” by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission, which helped to halt future demolition attempts.

Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images

Today, this landmark operates 700 trains per day serving over 700,000 people, and is still the world’s largest terminal, covering 49 acres with 33 miles of track.

Just as iconic and classic clothing endures throughout time and never goes out of style, so too, has this great building endured the many decades standing as a testament to style and form. Happy birthday to Grand Central Station! May you have many more years ahead.

Below are few photos of this Great Lady over the years.