Grand Central Depot, as it was originally named, was constructed in 1871 to unite the trains of the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad, the New York and Harlem Railroad, and the New York and New Haven Railroad. Between 1899 and 1900, most of the original building was demolished, rebuilt, or reconfigured as Grand Central Station. Between 1903 and 1913, Grand Central Station was torn down in phases and replaced by the current Grand Central Terminal, designed by the architectural firms of Reed & Stem and Warren & Wetmore. Concurrently during this phase, the railroads were electrified under a plan drafted by William J. Wilgus, vice-president in charge of construction, which called for a bi-level station below ground. Wilgus' plan simplified switching, eased congestion for both trains and street-level automobile traffic, and allowed for the sale of air rights above the station, resulting in one of the most expensive and sought-after commercial real estate districts in the city.
George Alexander Harwood was the chief engineer for the New York City and Hudson River Railroad Company (N.Y.C. & H.R.R.R.) during the construction and electrification of Grand Central Terminal between 1903 and 1913. Born in 1875 in Waltham, Massachusetts, Harwood graduated with an engineering degree from Tufts in 1898 and began working for the railroad in 1900. In 1906, he was placed in charge of electric improvement, and is credited with completing the construction of Grand Central that William J. Wilgus had begun. He was later named vice-president of the N.Y.C. & H.R.R.R., a position he held until his death in 1926 at the age of 52.
From the guide to the George A. Harwood material related to Grand Central Terminal, 1903-1914, 1927, (The New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division.)
