The Old Railroad Station
October 16th, 2006Hi. I’m Ethan (Michelle’s significant other). Michelle is away for a few days, so I’m filling in.
When Michelle and I went to visit the Fountain Street Studios a while back, one of the artists happened to mention that Henry Hobson Richardson had designed the old Framingham railroad station. [For those that don’t know, H.H. is considered one of the three most important American architects, and was the first to have a worldwide influence.] I have to admit I was doubtful because even though I’ve spent many a time sitting at the traffic light at the intersection of Waverly and Concord Streets, I never once looked over and said “Whoa! Look at that railroad depot! Is that an H.H. Richardson here in Framingham???” Research however proved the artist correct, so I went downtown on foot to take a closer look.
After checking it out up close and with a friendlier eye, I still have to say the building is really nothing to blog about. It’s definitely not Boston’s Trinity Church (one of H.H.’s most famous designs), BUT it’s not every town that can say it’s got a building designed by one of the most important American architects ever. At the risk of sounding a little dorky, I think it’s pretty neat that we’ve got one.
The only sad part to this story is that the building isn’t being used right now. Evidently an Indian restaurant called Udupi Bhavan was the last to call it home, but they’ve moved on to another location. I’m not sure if there are plans to use the old station for something new yet, but I really do hope so. It would be sad to see an H.H. Richardson building left vacant and useless. And I hope whoever takes it on next puts in just a little effort to spruce it up a bit. Seems like even though it’s no Trinity Church, with a little dusting off it could be a nice cultural treasure in downtown Framingham.
thanks for the info. Still don’t like it though. The proportions are not quite right in my humble opinion. they should get rid of the awnings too.
Comment by h. capet — October 16, 2006 @ 6:32 pm
Hey great job Ethan! I love this building, especially from the inside! What was it years ago… some bar place, it was great and real pretty too!
Comment by OneTiredMomma — October 16, 2006 @ 7:00 pm
You might be right about the awnings and yeah, I agree it’s a little weird in the proportion department, but it’s sort of growing on me now. Overall I think it has potential.
Thanks for the words of encouragement, OTM. I would love to have seen what it’s like inside. I couldn’t see much through the dirty windows, and I obviously came to Framingham too late to experience whatever it used to be. Maybe someday it’ll open as something new and I can get a good look inside though.
Comment by Ethan — October 16, 2006 @ 7:47 pm
I miss Udupi! I keep hoping another non-brazilian restaurant (we have enough of those) will move in there.
Comment by Kristin — October 17, 2006 @ 12:13 am
If you miss Udupi, they are now 30 minutes or so down Rt. 9 in Shrewsbury (in plaza with Price Shopper). I think they might also have a place in Lowell. But just 2 minutes down Waverly Street is Dakshin. If you haven’t been there, I think their food is superior to Udupi’s. However, their building is no H.H. Richardson.
Comment by David — October 17, 2006 @ 12:49 am
I meant the plaza with Price Chopper (not Shopper).
Comment by David — October 17, 2006 @ 12:49 am
At last week’s “Framingham Downtown Renaissance” meeting, Kathleen Bartolini from the Planning Dept. announced a Brazilian Restaurant, the “Cafe Belo” will be going in that building. I also wish some other type restaurant would go in that old railroad building.
Comment by Rev. Bob Baril — October 17, 2006 @ 10:45 am
Thanks for the info, Rev. Bob. At least someone is going to be using it :\
Comment by Ethan — October 17, 2006 @ 1:14 pm
Hey Ethan, great going–I love the building.
And I agree about the unnecessary Brazilian restaurant. Doesn’t Framingham need a Thai place? Or how about a good tacqueria like Anna’s?
Anyway, since you’re on the architecture case, do you know anything about the modern house on Winter Street right where the Sudbury River comes out of the resevoir? Someone told me it was by Walter Gropius, but short of ringing the doorbell, I’m not really sure how to find out.
Comment by foppy — October 17, 2006 @ 3:14 pm
Thanks Foppy. I don’t know anything about that house unfortunately. A quick internet search shows Gropius at least took part in designing a house in Framingham for a Dr. Abele in 1941.
http://www.archinform.net/projekte/3102.htm?ID=7fa21c9f09268867fa43afe7b00dc777
You might be able to find out more at the library, or maybe at the historical society. I’m not sure they have that sort of info though. There’s also a chance Michelle might be able to find out when she gets back. She’s sometimes better at researching stuff like that.
Comment by Ethan — October 17, 2006 @ 4:39 pm
Great fill in for Michelle, Ethan - very impressed
Yeah, that building is cool inside. It used to be a bar/restaurant called Ebenezer’s. It was a pretty popular hang out for our class when people would come home from college at the holidays, weekends, etc. (’92 Party Dudes -ask Michelle 
I remember it was nice inside when Eb’s was there. Lots of people would drink & hang out outisde there to watch the runners go by on Marathon Day. I can’t remember much else about it. Michelle, do you?
Comment by Elaine L. — November 2, 2006 @ 2:02 pm
I didn’t realize the old RR station had been designed by a famous architect. When I was little I used to go in there with my mother when it was. . .a railroad station! We’d take a fast train called a Buddliner (or B-liner) into Boston and shop, then meet my dad for supper after work and he’d drive us home. That was back in the ’50s.
The last time I was in there it was Ebenezer’s–thanks, Elaine, I was trying to think of the name. Nice place. That was 15 years ago. It’s a shame the place is empty. Maybe it should be on the National Historic Register or something.
And yes, those awnings have GOT to go!
Comment by Catherine — December 19, 2007 @ 12:05 am
If anyone is interested to see a few earlier photograhs of the train station, click on to this link:
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=hhphoto&action=browse&fileName=ma/ma0700/ma0767/photos/browse.db&recNum=0&itemLink=D?hh:1:./temp/~ammem_zJMo::@@@mdb=mcc,gottscho,detr,nfor,wpa,aap,cwar,bbpix,cowellbib,calbkbib,consrvbib,bdsbib,dag,fsaall,gmd,pan,vv,presp,varstg,suffrg,nawbib,horyd,wtc,toddbib,mgw,ncr,ngp,musdibib,hlaw,papr,lhbumbib,rbpebib,lbcoll,alad,hh,aaodyssey,magbell,bbcards,dcm,raelbib,runyon,dukesm,lomaxbib,mtj,gottlieb,aep,qlt,coolbib,fpnas,aasm,scsm,denn,relpet,amss,aaeo,mffbib,afc911bib,mjm,mnwp,rbcmillerbib,molden,ww2map,mfdipbib,afcnyebib,klpmap,hawp,omhbib,rbaapcbib,mal,ncpsbib,ncpm,lhbprbib,ftvbib,afcreed,aipn,cwband,flwpabib,wpapos,cmns,psbib,pin,coplandbib,cola,tccc,curt,mharendt,lhbcbbib,eaa,haybib,mesnbib,fine,cwnyhs,svybib,mmorse,afcwwgbib,mymhiwebib,uncall,afcwip,mtaft,manz,llstbib,fawbib,berl,fmuever,cdn,afcesnbib,hurstonbib,mreynoldsbib,spaldingbib,sgproto,upboverbib,mussm,cic,afcpearl,awh,awhbib,wright,lhbtnbib&title2=Boston+%26+Albany+Railroad+Station,+Waverly+Street,+Framingham,+Middlesex+County,+MA&displayType=1
(sorry if the link is very long)
Comment by George Lewis — March 12, 2008 @ 10:51 pm
Cafe Belo tried to paint the roof, it’s illegal because it’s a town monument or historical building or something
anyway, so the owner had to un-paint it.
Stupid idea, there’s 2 Terra Brasilis Restaurants there already, they are EXTREMELLY similar. Cafe Belo was the prototype for Terra brasilis.
anyway, less competition!
Comment by george — May 18, 2008 @ 7:48 pm
There’s a new restaurant name in front of the station!!!
The old illuminated sign now advertises “Old Station Steak House”. All of outside lighting is turned on (including some white accent lights).
I looked for some additional info on the front door, but only noticed a permit for work on the fire suppression system.
I recall dining at Ebeneezers … looking forward to patronizing the new Steak House!
Comment by J.B. — June 17, 2008 @ 2:55 am
Those pictures are exactly the way I remember that building. I couldn’t cross the tracks until I was 12 in 1961, but as soon as I turned 12 I was off exploring the south side of the tracks.
Comment by Jim Kelley — December 30, 2008 @ 10:55 pm