Grand Central Terminal is one of the most historic landmarks in New York City. It is by far a wonder of man's creation, an impressive Beaux work of Art. Yet it is not the first creation of a railroad system neither in its place on Forty-second Street and Park Avenue nor with the name "Grand Central.".
In 1869, "Commodore" Cornelius Vanderbilt bought the property between Forty-second and Forty-eight streets to build a new train depot for the Hudson River Railroad, which he over took in 1863. It shared an East side terminal and named Grand Central Depot. This depot was designed by architect John B. Snook, and opened in 1871. Its main purpose was to serve as three distinct rail lines, the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad, New York and Harlem Railroad, and the New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad. Major renovations were then made between 1898 -1900 to expand and further renovate the interior designed by architects Bradford Lee Gilbert and Samuel Huckel, Jr. .
The reconstructed Grand Central Depot was renamed "Grand Central Station." In 1902, the increasing railroad traffic and the smoke from the steam engines clouded pedestrians" view that resulted in 17 accidental deaths. The public's protest then outlawed steam engines in Manhattan. Because of the unfortunate mishap, proposals for a larger Grand Central station were made. In 1903 the winners of the best proposal for the new Grand Central, were the firm of Reed and Stem in collaboration with Warren and Wetmore. Yet the real architectural genius of detail and Beaux-Art style became Warren's and Wetmore's. In 1913 the construction of Grand Central Terminal was completed at a cost of 80 million dollars, paying special attention to the circulation of traffic and special elevated ramps, which led pedestrians and cars to their destinations. .
The final project was a masterpiece in Beaux-Art design. On Forty-second Street at the very top of the terminal roof is a 50-foot high sculpture of three gods designed by Jules-Alexis Coutain.