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Excerpts from 1898 Boston Herald article
The ceremony of
placing in service
the new South
Station, the most
imposing, the
largest and the
costliest railroad
terminal in the
world took place
yesterday afternoon
in the main waiting
room of the building
in the presence
of a distinguished
gathering of transportation
officials and
those prominent
in public
life, in the professions,
and in business
affairs.
Inside activity was apparent in all directions. Neatly uniformed station attendants were hurrying hither and thither in the dispatch of orders from the manager's office, while knots of workmen were hastily putting the finishing touches upon some detail of the construction.
As time approached for the dedicatory exercises to begin, the waiting room was a compact mass of humanity. There was hardly breathing space for the thousands who impatiently awaited the coming of the mayor, President Clark, president of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad, and those who were to take part in the ceremonies. A detail of police kept the throng from occasion, and it required the exercise of constant watchfulness to hold the pressing crowd within the prescribed limits.
When President Clark stepped to the front of the platform to deliver his brief address, the 1,200 electric lamps with which the waiting room is supplied, suddenly burst into light. The effect was startling and beautiful, and called forth demonstrations of enthusiasm. President Clark concluded his remarks by introducing Mayor Quincy, whose reception was enthusiastic and stirring.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, we meet here today at the formal opening and dedication of a great building unique in many respects, not only by far the largest structure in this city, but one of the greatest in the area which it covers ever erected by the hand of man anywhere in the world.
 This
building although
under corporate
ownership, is
essentially of
a public character
and dedicated
to the service
of the people,
it is appropriate
for this reason
as well as on
account of her
necessary connection
with the undertaking
from its very
inception and
of her financial
contributions
on the street
changes, which
made it possible
that the City
of Boston should
be represented
at these brief
exercises.
This great terminal station laid out upon such a comprehensive scale so liberal in its accommodations and so complete in all its equipment will here after rank as one of the great buildings of this city – a source of pride to its citizens, as object of admiration to strangers.
This terminal station may well be regarded as a striking example of the great results which can be brought about through the forces of cooperation. It represents first, the cooperation of five distinct corporations, and then the cooperation between them as an association and the public, represented by the city and state.
In ancient and medieval times, the city was surrounded by a wall to keep out enemies and unwelcome visitors, and strangers could only enter through a gate, from which it arose that the freedom of the city was besieged with formality and received as a privilege or as a mark of honor.
In this age, the old spirit of exclusiveness has been largely broken down, and a modem city, instead of fortifying itself behind walls, throws open every avenue of approach and invites every one in the world to enter its limits.
In place of the old city gate through which the stranger could pass only by permission, we open today in Boston this wide and spacious gateway of unrestricted travel, and we invite all the world to pass freely through it, and to enjoy the full freedom of the city of Boston."
Inspection of the Great Building Made by Thousands Who Admire Its Fine Arrangements
A general inspection of the building followed the federal ceremonies, the 3000 visitors distributing themselves to every part of the vast structure and studying its main features. Of particular interest to the ladies was the woman's room, with its cradles and cribs, all made up, round tables and easy chains and a full supply of all manner of toilet articles. "It is simply complete," one lady was heard to remark, and this may be taken as the general verdict of all these who made a study of this department. No other railroad station in the world is similarly equipped.
Another point of particular interest was the emergency room. Thousands of the visitors crowded into this apartment, and were profuse in their exclamations of praise for the management in thus providing for the care of the unfortunate.
To those who had for the first time visited the station and had vivid recollections of the are a before the work of construction began, could hardly realize that so great a transformation was possible within so short a time.
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