[3] In 1900, Georgian marble floors were added to the building, which was appropriate because Georgia owned the land that the Union Depot stood on.

It remained displayed until 1961, when Western & Atlantic's successor, the Louisville and Nashville removed the engine to be restored to operating condition.

In 1971, an English class from University of Tennessee at Chattanooga taught by Dr. Tom Preston proposed a visionary plan to save the Union Depot from demolition.

Mayor Robert Kirk Walker recommended that the students take their presentation to the Downtown Development Committee.

The Chattanooga Area Historical Association joined the fight to save the Union Depot in November 1971.