Tram Station moved from Zgierz

Piotrkowska 282

The year 1898 saw the inaugural journey of the first tram in Łódź. After a short trip through the city centre, it stopped in front of the Grand Hotel, where its passengers disembarked to attend a banquet. Interestingly, Emil Geyer was one of the originators behind the idea of bringing trams to the city. To make it happen, he signed a collaboration agreement with other major industrialists. On 19 January 1901, just three years after the ceremonial inauguration, the Łódź–Zgierz tram route was opened. The route ended at New Market Square – now called Kiliński Square – where fairs were often held. It was a single-track line. As such, in the middle of the Market Square, a so-called passing loop was constructed to facilitate the flow of traffic.

A wooden station was constructed right next to the loop. Its decorative design was a reference to suburban summer architecture of the period. The small single-storey building is covered by a gable roof topped with a spike and openwork ornamentation. The façade features large windows divided into two sections, fitted with coloured glass and adorned with decorative wooden frames. The front as well as the other sides of the building are decorated with stripes in contrasting colours.

The station building included a waiting room with a furnace and storage rooms. Passengers at the beginning of the 20^th century were no doubt impressed by the large two-sided clock mounted on the front of the building. Sadly, it has not survived to this day. The station was in use for over 80 years. During the interwar period, it featured a “Ruch” kiosk and tram driver lounge. It was decorated with the official red and white colour scheme of the MPK transport company instead of the original green. Decades of intense use took their toll on the frail wooden structure. The station was then closed, and finally demolished in 1984. Luckily, pieces of it remained in storage and the station was reconstructed on the premises of Łódź City Culture Park, where it now serves as a ticket booth.