Hoboken's Great Lackawanna Terminal

The Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad's railhead at Hoboken, New Jersey,was a transportation center providing rail, trolley, and ferry service with the ferry house located next to the railroad terminal. In August of 1905, the ferry 'Hopatcong' caught fire burning not only the boathouse, but also the adjacent railroad terminal to the ground. The 'Hopatcong' was a complete loss as well, burning right down to the hull. In this 1907 postcard, two fire boats are seen in action fighting the waterfront blaze.

Over the next two years, the DL&W rebuilt the railroad terminal, but this time using modern building materials such concrete, stone, iron, and copper exterior sheathing that would add a greater degree against fire than the previous wooden structure. The ferry house was also incorporated into the terminal giving commuters direct access to boats crossing the Hudson to Manhattan. Some years later, the Hudson & Manhattan Railroad that crossed under the Hudson River serving Manhattan would have a terminal platform underground and adjacent to the terminal as well. Here is a rare 1907 postcard view of the terminal as construction was being completed. Note the framework for the incomplete tower in the background and the open train shed frames. For more information on Hoboken's historic Lackawanna Terminal, click Here.

The following postcards are circa 1920s. In this view we sees the completed train sheds and platforms.

Here we can see the wonderful stained glass skylight in the waiting room. The main deck ferry entrance was directly in the rear of the waiting room. Rest rooms and ticket windows were on the left with the restaurant to the right. From the 1960s to the early 1970s, I spent many rush-hours here while waiting for a local commuter train and remember its impressive features well.

A ramp connected the train gate platform area with an upper concourse for boarding the upper deck of waiting ferries. Entrance doors to the waiting room are on the left.

 

 A view from the tower gives us an idea of the size of the Lackawanna's yard facilities in Hoboken with the coach yard nearby.

The following  are circa 1910 postcards. The first shows the ferry slips with the ferries"Orange" and "Scandinavia" which has just pulled in. Note the completed tower with clock and the name "Lackawanna".

In this final view, we see the exterior of the boat house, terminal building, train shed, and trolley terminal on the right. Note the statue of Sam Sloan, a former DL&W chairman, on the right, flanked by lamp posts.