| This view of New Orleans Passenger Terminal SW8 number 3 in 1974 was an image of contrasts. To the left of the engine, covered by arches, was the terminal's unused 8-track post office annex; while on the left was Railway Express Agency, no longer served by rail and occupied by a few REA trucks. Elsewhere, the image illustrated the buildings which began altering the city's skyline over the previous 10 years. The tall building just to the left of the switcher is the 14-story office tower which had been completed in 1964 as a part of the city's new main post office. To left left of this, in the background, is the building at number 2 Canal Street, next to the Mississippi River. This 33-story structure was completed in 1967 as the city's first skyscraper. On the very left is the 45-story Plaza Tower, completed in 1969 as the city's second skyscraper and located right across the street for the railroad station. On the left is the 51-story One Shell Square, opened in 1972 and still the tallest building in the city. In the 40-plus years since this photo was taken, the skyline has been filled with an assortment of other tall structures. (approximate date) |