New Britain herald., 1925-08-15
THE OBSER VER- Makes Random Observations
 On the City and Its People

antique known as the New Britain railroad station was built in 1886 it was declared by the Railroad com mission 10 be the finest in the state.
 This was not exceedingly astound- ing, however. for there were no other extraordinarily fine stations. Besides, q new railroad station is bound to compare fayorably with those that are not so new and that's why the station as we have 1t today compares with some others in the state about like wooden shanty compares with a skyscraper. Coming at Last" was the head line over a picture of the new sta ton appearing in the New Britain Observer of March 27, 1886. The picture showed the station just about like it is today, except it had q spick anI span look about it that is now sadly missing.
 Peoples ideas of a good railroad station were different in those days. Up to that time most small town stations -- and many in the larger cities -- were Of wooden Construc- tion throughout When, after long delay a new station of granite or other light colcr,l stone was order CT for this city by the Railroad commission, inc citys pride was touched and there was great rejolc- ing.
 Here is how the Observer opened the story regarding the new station in the issue of Saturday, March 27, 1 1886:
 "On Wednesday last the Railroad commission held the final session of the long series on the New Britain depot matter, and tha result was decision. This will be pleasant news to the people of New Britain, who Job like, have possessed them selves in patience for so many years, for the depot is finally com ing the waiting has been sue cessful, and this season will uu- doubtcdly give us as the commis- sioners said, the finest railway sta ton in the statc.'
 Glory hallcluiah! And then fol- lowed the official order of the con- mission. It stated that one of the necessities in connection with the great new station would be a "cov- cred platform not less than ten feet wide extending from said depot to Main street. along the south side of said tracks" To this day this cov- cred platform remains and is known as the Arcade.
 The order for the construction of the present depot may be illuminat- ing and stated in part;
 And the New York, New Haven 6o Hartford F, R. Co.,, having agreed to construct a covered platform l from Main street to the depot, should the same he located on the south side of the tracks, and hay ing procured the land necessary for the same, ill accordance with our conditional decision of February 1855, we do now consider and de eide that the public cannot suftiCi, ently be protected and aCCommo. dated without the location of the depot being changed, and do order a union depot to be located anC erected on the south side of tho railroad tracks, on the plot of lanC belonging to the New York, New Haven G5 Hartford R. F. Co.,. at tht point more fully defined upon the map on file in this office markeC map of the depot ground Of the N f, x. II. &5 H. F. R. and N. Y. & N. F.. l.. R. al New Britain, Conn *" we deeming such point to b. proper and suitable for the loca ton of such depot"
 Then followed an order that tn
 two railroads agree as to the us
 of the depot and apportionment 0
 the expense or rent, and that a
 soon as the depot is ready for us the occupation of "the present de
 pot" be terminated.
 And so the city got it's new depot after years of waiting. which tn Observer writer finally considere
 to have been successful.
 New Britain again has reache the waiting stage. The grand depo 5 of 1886 has become an eyesore an is looked upon as sort of in
 suit to the municipality. Perhap we haven't waited long enough. } wait, 10 be successful with the NeN Haven railroad, apparently has |
 be long anS patient.
 We have often in the past bee