This post contains some affiliate links
Friends
27 Oct 1904—All eyes were on New York City as Mayor George McClellan took the reins of the city’s revolutionary new transportation system: the subway.
Although London had already established the oldest underground train network in 1863 and Boston opened the first subway in the United States in 1897, all eyes were now on New York, which quickly became home to America’s largest and most advanced subway system.
The IRT, also known as the Interborough Rapid Transit Subway, was New York City’s first subway company. It was created in response to elevated train lines that were popping up all over the city. The idea was to construct an underground rapid transit railway system to alleviate street traffic and aid in the growth of new areas of New York, as stated by NYCsubway.org.
A massive crowd of 7,000 people swarmed around City Hall as 200 policemen struggled to maintain control. Some individuals forced their way into the underground entrance. According to The New York Times, both sections of the train were overcrowded, with approximately 1,100 passengers packed into the cars.
Now, 118 years after its opening, riding the train is a mundane activity, and the City Hall Station is no longer accessible to the general public. In 1945, only a few decades after its opening, it was shut down because its curved platform could not accommodate the IRT’s newer, longer train cars. Yet, it remains mesmerizing and serves as a poignant reminder of how monumental it was back then to journey underground and board a train.
More information can be found at Contemplating and Commemorating Rapid Transit in New York City | Museum of the City of New York
Until next time, Keep Reading and Stay Caffeinated.
Subscribe below to stay up to date on myths, legends, mysteries, and the chaos of history.
If you’re looking for your next favorite read, I invite you to check out my book, The Raven Society. This spellbinding historical fantasy series takes us on a heart-pounding journey through forgotten legends and distorted history. Uncover the chilling secrets of mythology and confront the horrifying truths that transformed myths into monstrous realities. How far will you go to learn the truth?
The Writer and The Librarian (Book 1):
Signed copies at:
https://rlgeerrobbins.com/product/the-writer-and-the-librarian-the-raven-society-book-1/
The Under Covers Bookstore (UK):
The Writer and the Librarian | The Under Covers (theundercoversbookstoreandcafe.com)
Explore more here: