Little Rock Union Station

Little Rock Union Station is a large, historic train station built in 1921 by the Missouri Pacific Railroad. Today it operates as an Amtrak station along the Texas Eagle route and houses two other tenants, the Arkansas Virtual Academy and Next Level Events. For several decades, Union Station, which is also known as Mopac Station, was an important focal point for the city. A restaurant located on the western end was a popular meeting place for city's leading figures. During World War II, many soldiers passed through the station either going to or leaving from the nearby Camp Robinson. Architect E.M. Tucker designed Union Station, which features a tall clock tower, seven large arches on the front of the building, and stone trim.

Union Station is the third station located at this site. The first was a wood-frame structure built by the Cairo and Fulton Lines in 1873. It was torn down in 1906 to make way for the first Union Station, which was erected in 1911 and designed in the Second Empire style. A fire destroyed it in 1920 but construction of the present building began not longer after. There was discussion that Missouri Pacific Railroad (MPR) and two other railroads would use the station together and this is why the name Union Station was used. However, in the end the MPR was the only one to use it due to legal technicalities and high construction costs.

Union Station opened on July 31, 1921 and operated for several decades. President Harry S. Truman stopped at the station during his presidential election campaign. Passenger service of the MPR ended in 1970 but it appears Amtrak service began shortly thereafter. Union Station was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.

Becknell, James C. "Mopac Station." National Park Service - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. https://catalog.archives.gov/OpaAPI/media/26143531/content/electronic-records/rg-079/NPS_AR/77000270.pdf.