19th century arc ruler
Frank Furness at his desk
B&O Water Street Station in 1890, 2000 and 2003

Past and Future of the Furness Railroad District

What is now known as the Furness Railroad District in Wilmington, DE dates back to around 1887 when the B&O Railroad Water Street Station was erected.

The Water Street Station was followed in 1905 by the Pennsylvania Railroad Office Building, headquarters for the Railroad's Philadelphia, Wilmington and Washington Division. The Wilmington Rail Station on French Street was completed in 1907, completing this unique and storied collection of Furness architectural creations.

As is the case with many buildings, as industrial, architectural and economic interests changed, the interest in these buildings and the appreciation of them wavered. Thanks to the efforts of many, interest in these buildings has been revitalized and the buildings themselves have found new life. ING Direct now owns both the Pennsylvania Building and the B&O Water Street Station, both of which have undergone complete renovations since 2002. Amtrak owns the French Street Station, and is in the process of a $30 million renovation to the station scheduled for completion in 2011.

Standing at the gateway to Wilmington, these buildings are a part of the city's historical assets and a part of our national heritage to be treasured. Click on the pictures below for a detailed view of what these buildings have been through and where they are going.

Wilmington French Street Station in 1907. Wilmington French Street Station in 1920. Wilmington French Street Station in 1968.
Wilmington French Street Station in 2007. Artist's rendering of what the Wilmington French Street Station exterior will be after renovations in 2011. Courtesy of Bernardon Haber Holloway Architects. Artist's rendering of what the Wilmington French Street Station interior will be after renovations in 2011. Courtesy of Bernardon Haber Holloway Architects.
B&O Water St Station in 1887. B&O Water St Station circa 1920. B&O Water St Station during renovations in 2002.
B&O Water St Station after renovations in 2006. Pennsylvania Railroad Office Building in 1905. Pennsylvania Railroad Office Building (now owned by ING Direct) in 2004.

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