Secret Bar and Wrong Schedule: 11 Amazing Secrets of Grand Central Station in New York
'11.01.2021'
Vita Popova
You will be surprised to find out what secrets are kept within the walls of the famous Grand Central Station in New York. The edition told about them Only In Your State.
One of the most visited attractions in the world, often taken for granted by New Yorkers, the Grand Central Terminal is an architectural treasure.
Opened in 1913, this elegant train station is visited by people from all over the world. But not everyone knows what secrets the famous station hides within its walls. What do you know about New York Grand Central Station? It's time to test your knowledge.
- Incorrect time on the timetable
All displays at Central Station show train departure times 1 minute earlier than they actually do, giving passengers an extra 60 seconds to catch the train.
- A treasure in plain sight
It is difficult to imagine a station without a clock to guide passengers. The central station is decorated with a truly unique clock. They stand in the middle of the main hall of the station and are valuable because they are made of opal. Their estimated cost today ranges from $ 10 million to $ 20 million.
- Secret spiral staircase
Another secret hidden by the walls of the Central Station is a secret spiral staircase. It is located just below the information stand in the center of the station. The staircase is inaccessible to passengers, but the staff uses it quite often.
- Inverted mural
The ceiling of the Central Station is decorated with a fresco that will take your breath away. It depicts the zodiac signs with 2500 stars.
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This fresco is fraught with one secret: the image on it is inverted. The fact is that the French artist, during its creation, consulted the sketch, looking down at it. This was the reason for the error. However, the customer - the Vanderbilt family - got out of the situation. He stated that the mistake was made on purpose, and it was assumed that this is how God sees the universe from above.
- Unusual chandeliers
If you take the time to look up and appreciate everything above you in Grand Central, you will notice the stunning beauty of the chandelier. The light bulbs are not covered. It was intended that way: these light bulbs remind us of the power of electricity and the electric railroad.
- Fire traces hidden under the tiles
The oldest restaurant Oyster bar is located in the Grand Central Terminal. In 1997, he suffered a terrible fire. The fire destroyed most of the wonderful tiles by Rafael Guastavino that adorned its walls. If you look around closely today, you can tell the difference between the original tile and the newer, shiny one.
- Whispering arch
On the way to the lower hall of Grand Central Station, just behind the Oyster Bar & Restaurant, there is another of the mysteries of the Central Station - the whispering arch. There are always many people here, frozen in strange positions. The fact is that if you stand facing the corner of the arch and ask a friend or a bystander to stand on the opposite side of the arch, then even speaking in a whisper, you can clearly hear each other.
- The largest glass clock in the world
The world's largest glass Tiffany clock is located at Grand Central Station. They are located outside the building overlooking 42nd Street. They cost about $ 10 million and represent the largest example of a Tiffany product.
- Staircases of different heights
The main lobby has two staircases that are perpendicular to each other. At first glance, it may seem that they are identical. However, you need to be extremely careful person to notice that this is not the case. Or just know the history of their creation. The fact is that the stairs were built at different times. Therefore, one of them was deliberately made lower by an inch to emphasize that it was built in a different era.
- Secret bar
Hidden inside the station is a secret bar that once belonged to billionaire Campbell. Once upon a time the cream of society gathered in it. Today, everyone can visit this place to plunge into history and just relax.
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- Secret tunnel under the station
Grand Central is full of secrets. Finally, we will reveal to you one more secret. Under the station is a secret platform built specifically for Franklin Roosevelt, who was paralyzed by polio. To hide this fact from the public, the president used this railway line to get to his residence at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel.
