CLASSIC BUS STATIONS

The abandoned Greyhound station in Baltimore, built in 1942. Also visible is the light rail line on Howard St.


The "golden era" of bus travel was during the 1930's and 1940's, an era when fancy new bus stations were being erected, often designed either in an "art deco" or a "streamline moderne" architecture style. Unless noted, all stations have been demolished.

In most cities, Greyhound and Trailways had separate stations. And in many cities, independent bus companies also used the Greyhound or Trailways stations. But in some cities, there existed a "Union" bus station, served by both companies, along with independent bus companies.

For most cities, the Greyhound bus stations are listed first, followed by the Trailways bus stations. After Greyhound acquired Continental Trailways in 1987, the Trailways stations in most cities were closed, with all operations consolidated into the Greyhound stations. Exceptions are noted. The last stations listed for each city are often newer stations, established after Greyhound's consolidation with Continental Trailways.

Information on the history of bus stations has often gone undocumented. Better historic information is available for Greyhound than for Trailways. Not all stations are listed. Locations have usually been verified using old bus timetables and back issues of the Russell's Official National Motor Coach Guide, and the "American Guide Series" of books produced by the Federal Writers Project between 1935 and 1943, along with Google map imagery, and the Greyhound Web site. Many dates of operation have been estimated. Some addresses involve streets which were later renamed or reconfigured.

Some stations have been identified by the various older Greyhound or Trailways companies, which later merged into the single Greyhound Lines and Continental Trailways companies. These older companies include American Buslines, which in 1946 became part of Trailways.

Also not listed, are "courtesy" stops made by many buses, in addition to the main terminals. These courtesy stops usually meant a more convenient downtown location, or a railroad station, or another bus company's main terminal. Also not listed are certain terminals used exclusively by independent bus companies.

One negative trend in some cities in recent years, is the relocation of Greyhound stations away from the downtown areas. But one positive trend in other cities in recent years, is the development of intermodal transportation terminals. Some local bus systems have constructed new downtown terminals, which are also used by Greyhound. And in some cities, bus station areas have been created at railroad stations. Any place where a "Union Station" is mentioned, and no "Union" bus station exists, that refers to a railroad station.


CLASSIC BUS STATIONS NATIONWIDE

Midwest/East

Midwest/West

Northeast

East

Southeast

Southwest

West

Miscellaneous Preserved Stations


BLOG FROM A GREYHOUND TRIP SOUTHEAST

Reflections on a trip via Greyhound taken in 2010, shortly after this section was added to this Web site.