Omaha’s Union Station, one of the finest examples of Art Deco architecture in the Midwest, served the Union Pacific, Rock Island, Missouri Pacific, Milwaukee, Wabash, Chicago Great Western, Illinois Central and Chicago & North Western. Designed in 1931 by Gilbert Stanley Underwood of Los Angeles, the steel frame structure is clad with cream-colored glazed terra cotta. At the time the Omaha station was built, Underwood said, "We have tried to express the distinctive character of the railroad -- strength, power and masculinity." Union Station was a busy place until passenger service ceased in 1971. Donated to the city of Omaha by the Union Pacific Railroad in 1973, the station is presently the home of the Durham Western Heritage Museum.
