The Pioneering Journey of New York City’s Subways: Origins and Evolution

Introduction to NYC’s First Subway

New York City's subway history is a fascinating narrative that starts with visionary ideas and early experiments. The story begins in 1870 with the construction of the first subway, a rudimentary yet groundbreaking system built by Alfred Ely Beach, a notable Scientific American editor.

Alfred Ely Beach's Pneumatic Subway (1870)

Alfred Ely Beach, driven by the desire to ease traffic congestion in Manhattan, secretly constructed this cylindrical car pushed by air. The project was highly innovative for its time, though the tunnel wasn't very long. The exact year it was built isn't firmly documented, but it opened in 1870. Despite its innovative design, this early system was never publicly accessible, and its operational life was short-lived due to the lack of official support and competition from elevated railroad systems.

The First Modern Electric Subway (1904)

The first modern electric subway that we recognize today was officially launched in 1904. The construction was financed by August P. Belmont, a prominent financier of the era. This subway initially ran from City Hall up Park Avenue South to Grand Central Terminal, then west under 42nd Street to Times Square, and north on Seventh Avenue. Some portions of this original line remain part of the modern subway network, specifically the IRT Lexington Avenue line, from City Hall to Grand Central, the 42nd Street shuttle, and a part of the West Side IRT line north of Times Square. Belmont also had a private subway car, complete with luxurious features like a dining table in the galley, known as the Mineola.

A special connection in Queens enabled Belmont to use his private subway car to take friends to Belmont Park, his namesake race track.

Evolution of the Subway Network (1885-1904)

While the first subway system we recognize today didn't open until 1904, earlier developments were already in place. The Great Blizzard of 1888 demonstrated the necessity for an underground transportation system, prompting serious thought towards underground transit. In 1894, plans for the subway were approved, and construction began in 1900.

Several structures and segments of the modern-day New York City Subway system were already in service by the late 1880s:

The oldest structure still in use opened in 1885 as part of the BMT Lexington Avenue Line in Brooklyn. A steam railroad called the Brooklyn Bath and Coney Island Railroad was in operation near Coney Island Creek as early as 1864.

In 1904, the first underground line of the subway opened. Known as the City Hall station, it ran 9.1 miles (14.6 km) northward under Lafayette Street, then renamed Elm Street, and Park Avenue, then called Fourth Avenue. The line turned westward at 42nd Street, curved northward again at Times Square, and terminated at 145th Street station in Harlem. Its first-day passenger count of 150,000 made it a significant success, with a fare of 5￠ per ride.

Conclusion

The development of New York City’s subway system is a testament to innovation and adaptability. From Alfred Ely Beach’s pneumatic car to the advent of the modern electric subway, each step paved the way for the comprehensive, efficient, and extensive network that NYC subway is known for today. As New York City continues to grow and evolve, so too will its subway system, always playing a crucial role in the city’s daily life and development.