Built for the city of Montgomery, Alabama in 1898 by Benjamin Bosworth Smith this Romanesque style train depot currently houses the Montgomery Convention & Visitor Bureau. The site had long served the city as a transportation center since the first steamboat "Harriet" landed close by on the banks of the Alabama River in 1821. By 1900 most major railroads in the state had connections there. An underground tunnel enabled freight and passengers to pass between the station and the river as it does today providing access to Riverfront Park.
A grand porte cochere crafted in stamped copper greets arrivals to the complex sheltering all from the elements. Proudly proclaiming "UNION STATION" in large dimensional lettering on each side, the canopy is supported by two twenty foot tall cast iron columns with ornamental capitals and bases. Large brackets with scrolled acanthus leaves ease the transition to the massive brick building. This unique feature had become a bit worse for wear and so as part of a total refurbishment it was decided to give it a makeover.
Payne & Associates Architects of Montgomery worked closely with Robinson Iron to develop a restoration methodology. Robinson would reuse as much of the original material as was practically possible. A survey of existing conditions in the form of photographic and dimensional information was made and all the copper cladding removed to Robinson's plant. A careful cleaning of the components revealed the beautiful bright copper color of the ornaments. Small damaged areas were repaired and most of the attached lettering was replicated in new material. Then the metal was treated with a dark brown chemical patina to even out the surface. The cast iron caps and bases were disassembled, cleaned, repaired, primed and painted. The contractor, Stallings & Sons Inc. rebuilt the substructure completely in new wood leaving the copper to be reinstalled by Robinson's crew. As a final touch of elegance the cast iron caps and bases were mounted to the columns. Now with everything looking spiffy, visitor's to the state's capital can once again be greeted in style.
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