Urban blog Infrastructurist just published a heartbreaking post bemoaning 11 gorgeous American train stations that have been demolished. One that's thankfully been spared: downtown Los Angeles's Union Station, routinely referred to as "The Last of the Great Railway Stations."

Opening in 1939 and costing $11 million, the station quickly became a central destination for the West Coast's passenger trains. It was not uncommon during the 1930s and 40s for 7,000 passengers a day to crowd into the station, which still provides the hub for Greater LA's many rail services. Even if you're not a passenger it's an architectural treasure worth incorporating into your Los Angeles tour. ]]> Omri 2009-07-01T17:39:44-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/4/30/63139/7350 After you're done taking our advice and dining on Washington Blvd, you should treat yourself to one of the more surreal neighborhoods in Los Angeles. Just a few meters from the restaurants - across Pacific Ave and then up - are the Venice canals and the multi-million dollar homes that line their shores.

Venice began as a planned city at the turn of the last century. Casino and tobacco mogul Abbot Kinney wanted an upscale modern Venice, modeled culturally and architecturally on the original. He had contractors dig out 16 miles water-filled canals and crisscross them with bridges for horses and carriages. It was all supposed to be very American and very elegant, a crown jewel of industrialization.]]> Omri 2009-05-01T15:41:47-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/