Amtrak Waiting Room and Fred Harvey Sign
Introduction
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Union Station continues to serve rail passengers and offers this waiting room next to a historic sign for Fred Harvey's restaurant chain which once operated throughout the region. Perhaps the first true chain restaurant in American history, Fred Harvey's railroad depots thrived because they met a need in an era when travelers had few dining options. Fred Harvey pioneered a model that served travelers quickly and efficiently, and his methods were soon repeated at depots along the Atchison, Topeka, & Santa Fe Railroad. The Harvey House restaurants also provided viable employment for many cooks and servers, known affectionately at that time as "Harvey Girls."
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