The face of the Barclay St. Terminal
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Unlike today's bland, lackluster modern commuter facilities, the ancient Barclay St. Ferry Terminal, though decrepit and shabby, still possessed an aura of a long-lost era when even the most humble of passenger facilities had a handsome, attractive design, and even a bit of elegance.
The stairways on either side of the main entrance led up to the upper level loading area; the upper level could also be accessed from the main waiting room.
The "Erie R.R." sign was added in 1956, when the Erie began shifting its trains from Jersey City (Pavonia Avenue) up to the DL&W's Hoboken Terminal.
During rush hours, through late 1967, this echoing structure teemed with bustling, well-dressed commuters; I can still remember the distinctive tang of generations of coal smoke from the ferries wafting through the air, whenever my mother and I passed through this echoing, lofty building.
This ancient structure, dating from the late 1880's, was later rebuilt to handle double-deck boats.
For some time after the ferries stopped, this building still stood, and, strangely enough, there was even some talk of converting it into a waterfront museum.
That, of course, never came to pass, and the historic ferry terminal was then torn down.
It is impossible to find the location of this terminal today, as this entire area became landfill where battery park city would one day rise up.
Shucks, folks...it just ain't the same...
The stairways on either side of the main entrance led up to the upper level loading area; the upper level could also be accessed from the main waiting room.
The "Erie R.R." sign was added in 1956, when the Erie began shifting its trains from Jersey City (Pavonia Avenue) up to the DL&W's Hoboken Terminal.
During rush hours, through late 1967, this echoing structure teemed with bustling, well-dressed commuters; I can still remember the distinctive tang of generations of coal smoke from the ferries wafting through the air, whenever my mother and I passed through this echoing, lofty building.
This ancient structure, dating from the late 1880's, was later rebuilt to handle double-deck boats.
For some time after the ferries stopped, this building still stood, and, strangely enough, there was even some talk of converting it into a waterfront museum.
That, of course, never came to pass, and the historic ferry terminal was then torn down.
It is impossible to find the location of this terminal today, as this entire area became landfill where battery park city would one day rise up.
Shucks, folks...it just ain't the same...