Interesting story! This makes sense. I always thought the building had a kind of "continental" look to it.
Ed Montgomery
- -----Original Message-----
From: vze3fhdr [mailto:vze3fhdr_@_verizon.net]
Sent: Wed 4/2/2008 5:36 PM
To: erie-Lackawanna
Subject: (erielack) Benson St. Station
The discussion of the Glen Ridge station on the old Greenwood Lake jogged my memory.
As can be seen by the photos, and even more so seen in person, it is a truly architecturally unique, at least as far as Erie stations in this area.
There is a very simple reason for this, although not readily apparent. Even Jim Wilson didn't know the history of the station until he started renovating the building.
A long time ago, a wealthy English family visited the area. They were so taken buy the beauty of the place, they purchased a sizable amount of property in the vicinity of the as yet unbuilt station. Seeing the railroad tracks, they inquired as to the possibility of having trains stop. The railroad replied that if a station was built, trains would stop.
The family brought a team of carpenters from England to build the station. It was built in the Tudor style to English dimensions. Jim discovered this when he tried to but replacement windows and doors. Also, on the track side (front) of the station, the miniature tower between the dormers had a clock, similar to other classic stations.
Bill
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