The Crown Jewel of the NYC Subway System

NYC Urbanism, 2018

We recently had the pleasure of touring the old City Hall subway station. The first #subway line opened in 1904, with the City Hall station as the crown jewel of the system - the first station built and the site of the opening ceremony where the first train departed. The station featured skylights, #Guastavino tiling, colored glass, vaulted ceilings, brass chandeliers and plaques commemorating the opening. Unlike the other 1904 stations, #CityHall was built on a curve (seen above) and could only accommodate five-car trains. As the system expanded with larger trains, the station was eventually closed down in 1945. The #TransitMuseum and #MTA restored the station during the system's centennial and there was talk about making it an extension of the museum, but the station is directly under City Hall and therefore a security risk if opened to the public. Today the 6 train still uses the loop to turn around (see map above) and riders who remain on the train after the #BrooklynBridge - City Hall (final stop) can see the original station through the windows. The station's chandeliers are rarely lit up, so check it out on a sunny day when the light is coming through the skylight.