Marechal Hermes was conceived as a working-class village by the then president of the republic, Marechal Hermes da Fonseca, who was concerned about the shortage of affordable housing.
It was the first strictly residential planned neighborhood, with an extensive network of public services such as schools, libraries, hospitals, and a theater. With the intention of helping workers from Central, in the 1910s it opened the Marechal Hermes train station, which had a direct connection to Central do Brasil.
The construction of the station led to the growth of the neighborhood in terms of commerce, urbanization, housing and sanitation. Its name alludes to Marechal Hermes da Fonseca himself, who was present at the inauguration of the neighborhood and the station.
The Marechal Hermes station. Source: Estações ferroviárias website
Image description: This is an old photograph of a railway station. On the left side, we see train tracks. In the center, there is a large building with classical architecture, possibly a train station. In front, there is a metal canopy with a decorated iron structure, where there are seats for passengers waiting for trains. On the right, there are more buildings and a wooden roof. In the background, we see urban buildings.The station's construction is in an eclectic style, inspired by the English model, with a structure also marked by the presence of French tiles, wide roofs, and details of German and Belgian tile work.
Located in a central spot in the Marechal Hermes neighborhood, in front of the station the buses to Cascadura (782) and Praça Seca (783) pass by.
Currently, the station is part of the Deodoro and Santa Cruz lines and is used by thousands of people daily, still serving the same purpose as when it was planned and opened. It is considered one of the oldest and most luxurious stations in the city, due to the preservation of its structure.
The station nowadays. Image captured by the authors
Image description: The image is an old black-and-white newspaper. At the top, there is the headline "Bitter Path." Below, there is a black-and-white photo of a person being carried by two men. The person is seated in a patrol car. Next to the photo, there is text mentioning that a lawyer was arrested during the removal of a favela. The text also mentions that 116 families were removed from Favela Getúlio Vargas to Vila Kennedy and to the Parques Proletários.
