New York's old Penn Station was one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. Here's a brief history of its life and untimely death.

Before airplanes became the preferred method of travel, trains were the way to go. Early train travel wasn't like the hustle and bustle of today. It was a real event. The terminals were elegant, and none was finer than New York's original Penn Station.

How and why did Penn Station come to be? New York did not have a direct train link to the rest of the country. Passengers were forced to get off in New Jersey and take a ferry into Manhattan. Steam trains falling from favor, replaced by electric trains, which were cleaner and faster. The two biggest train companies, the Pennsylvania Railroad and the New York Central, built tracks under the Hudson and East rivers.

To celebrate the arrival of the two great rail companies, twin stations were built blocks apart: Grand Central Terminal and Pennsylvania Station.

Penn Station was designed by architect Charles McKim and opened in 1910. It dominated nine acres at 33rd Street and Seventh Avenue. The granite and marble building was so huge that the stone eagles guarding the top looked like pigeons, but each weighed nearly three tons. The front had 53-foot-tall pink Doric columns. Light poured in through its 150-foot-high vaulted ceilings and over its wrought-iron staircases. The station was modeled after ancient Roman baths of Caracalla.

Arriving at New York's Penn Station was like entering a royal palace.

On opening day, more than 100,000 people stopped and stared at every detail of the magnificent structure.

For the next 50 years, millions would come and go through Pennsylvania Station, never thinking that one day, the grand building that was built to last forever would be torn down.

Fewer people used the station since its peak in 1945. Cars were now a popular way to get around. The station's owner, Pennsylvania Railroad, was losing tens of millions of dollars and wanted to take advantage of eight acres of pricey Midtown real estate. The railroad decided to build a new underground station, office tower and a 20,000 seat arena, which we now know as Madison Square Garden, on the site of the old Station.

Despite protest, in 1963 the demolition of Penn Station began. It took nearly three years, from 1963 to 1966, to finish.

The magnificent granite and marble building stretched over nine acres.

It was only after one of the greatest architectural achievements was destroyed that its loss was realized. But Penn Station did not die in vain. The Landmark Preservation Commission was formed as a result of its demolition, and more than a million historic structures around the country have been saved because no one wants to lose another Penn Station. Former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was a staunch champion of saving historic buildings. Her efforts were crucial in saving Penn's sister depot, Grand Central Terminal.

Penn Station is slated for a rebirth on the site of a building that its demise helped save. The late Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynahan called Penn's destruction “an act of vandalism.” Now the station will be reborn at the post office in the James Farley building. Though not quite as grand as the old station, the post office is spacious, and elegant.

With this new station, perhaps people will once again enter New York City like gods.

Today's lesson fulfills the following New York standards: E1c, E2d, E3c, E3d, E4a, E4b, E5a; Social Studies Standard 1; The Arts Standard 2.

Draw a picture of what you think the new Pennsylvania Station should look like.

Look through today's Post for pictures of buildings. Based on the stories you read, write a summary of what you think their history might be.

Make a list of your favorite buildings and why they are special to you. Compare your list with your classmates'.