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The railroad yard and parking lots that separated Providence's downtown from the Capital Center were locally referred to as a "Chinese wall." This 1983 view shows how the government offices were isolated from the rest of Providence by both these…

Prior to the construction of Waterplace Park railroad tracks and parking lots separated the different districts of downtown Providence. This barrier was locally referred to as a, "Chinese wall." This 1977 view shows Providence before its dramatic…

Kennedy Plaza and the former Chinese Wall of train tracks are seen in the center and upper left. The train tracks sealed off the Capital Center area of Providence from this, the traditional financial district.

Union Railroad Depot, by Thomas A. Tefft, was opened in 1847. It was considered "a brilliant example of Romanesque architecture" in its time, and the longest building in America. As the city continued to grow, so too did the need for terminal space,…