Manhattan. Brooklyn. The Bronx. Queens. Staten Island – five boroughs, make up this glorious social haven referred to as New York City. Acknowledged as having a few of the tallest buildings globally and housing some of the most iconic structures in America, like the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building, the acclaimed “City that never sleeps” is among the most sought-after cities worldwide. With its immense skyscrapers, flashy Broadway performances, and never-ending traffic, it may be simple to forget that there are more to New York than its shining surface – literally.
New York City is home to 472 subway stations using more than 800 miles of track, and that's not even counting those forgotten about! Yes, it is known because of its subways and sewers, but what else? Just what is lying underneath the bustling city streets? Is subterranean New York not only another hole in the earth? Read on and embark on an outing to find out New York City underground.
Numerous Tunnels Under the Big Apple
Now let's move on to wander below the busy streets of New York City. Nyc has some hidden tunnels underneath. A long time ago, these tunnels were constructed for that convenience of travelers. Included in this are Track 61, Grand Central Terminal, Myrtle Avenue Tunnel, West 91st Street station, Worth Street station, East 18th Street subway station, South 4th Street subway station, and Old City Hall subway station.
There are also seven secret tunnels such as the Farley-Morgan Postal Tunnel, McCarren Pool Tunnels, East Ny Freight Tunnel, Columbia University Steam Tunnels, Atlantic Avenue Tunnel, Hidden Concourse at 1271 6th Avenue, and Underground Spine of Goldwater Hospital. These subway stations have been a part of the city's fascinating history. Stories about these tunnels happen to be told from one generation to another. Many of these tunnels are abandoned and already forgotten.
Lost Stops
Whether due to expansion, World War II, or lack of use, many subway stations that when transported thousands have finally worn out their service and be abandoned with time. Still, these subway stations happen to be an element of the city's fascinating history, as well as their stories deserve telling.
Old City Hall
Erected in 1904, City Hall was the first New York City subway station to spread out towards the public. Bedecked with leaded skylights, elegant chandeliers, and grand arches, the Old City Hall subway station is like an underground cathedral. Service at Old City Hall ended because the station couldn't withstand larger trains, thus rendering it amongst the least-used stations. Though no more being used today, Ny Transit Museum members may – for a small fee – explore the station through exclusive guided tours.
- Operated 1904-1945
- Designed by Heins & LaFarge
Track 61
Located beneath the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Track 61 at Grand Central Terminal was initially used to carry freight and store old train cars. However, after its acquisition through the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, the track was repurposed for other means. Due to its ideal location beneath the famous hotel, the track was a way of discreetly allowing distinguished guests back and forth from your accommodation. Today, the track is unused, however, you can catch a short peek at it while riding the Metro-North from Grand Central.
Some myths of its uses persist today:
- Train car (formerly) on the track purported to belong to President FDR
- Andy Warhol private party in 1965
Myrtle Avenue
The unsuspecting victim from the Brooklyn-Manhattan Transit line rebuild, Myrtle Ave subway station accustomed to operate on the BMT line between Bridge and De Kalb Avenue. The station ran until its closure in 1956 when the entire area underwent renovations due to congestion issues in the De Kalb Ave section. Throughout the rebuild, Myrtle Ave lost its southbound platform entirely, and the northbound platform became deserted. Today, the abandoned station hosts an artwork of 30 images (228 hand-painted panels) by Bill Brand called Masstraniscope, that was installed in 1980 and it is visible on the Q and B commutes to Manhattan.
- In use from 1915-1956
- Constructed with re-enforced concrete
- Sometimes referred to as Gold Street
- Tunnel Vision
Though many of these tunnels faded from memory, others survived within the lore shared in one generation to a different. The following tunnels have withstood the exam of your time, and some have even were able to regain use.
Atlantic Avenue Tunnel
Known today because the world's oldest subway tunnel, the Atlantic Avenue Tunnel is an abandoned tunnel that runs through the neighborhoods of Downtown Brooklyn and Cobble Hill. It had been built-in 1844 being an open cut but was roofed over and converted to a tunnel five years after opening.
Following an 1861 controversy, the tunnel remained sealed until 1981, when Brooklyn local Bob Diamond rediscovered it and gave tours in the tunnel until its reclosure in 2010. Though no longer accessible to the public, its barrel-vaulted ceilings can be glimpsed from inside the bar Le Boudoir.
Guinness World Record Holder for oldest subway tunnel
Memorialized by Walt Whitman
Columbia University Steam Tunnels
Beneath Columbia University, there exists a tunnel system connecting most campus buildings. These tunnels act as a conduit for a lot of the campus' infrastructure, for example steam, electricity, and telecommunications. The oldest tunnels date back to the days of the Bloomingdale Insane Asylum and are extremely hot.
- Students traveled these tunnels throughout the 1968 Student Strike
- Tunnels once used to tap the university's telephone
- Linked to the Manhattan Project
Freedom Tunnel
Located beneath Riverside Park in Manhattan, Robert Moses erected this tunnel in the 1930s to increase mobility towards the residents on the Upper West Side. The tunnel, which accustomed to run freight trains until 1980, expands a couple of.6 miles. It became a haven for graffiti artists when regular operations around the track ended, and it's thought that the track's name came from Chris “Freedom” Pape, a prominent graffiti artist who used the tunnel walls to create some of his most notable work.
- Once occupied by the homeless population
- Amtrak began using the tunnel in 1991
- The liberty Tunnel is mentioned in a number of documentaries and books
- More To Be Discovered?
The Unseen Beauty around the Subway
What is buried underground of the city isn't any ordinary tunnel or subway that merely has passages and railroads. Some from the structures are abandoned, other tunnels are preserved permanently. Some of the tunnels are quite beautiful due to their architectural designs. Some are seen with ornate decorations and stained glasses.
Others are merely seen with attractive ceilings. Who would not dare to go down the Old City Hall Subway Station which is boasted with skylights, chandeliers, and spectacular arches. It is like an underground cathedral which was hidden all of this time. A different one is the Atlantic Avenue tunnel which is considered to be the oldest subway tunnel on the planet. Its barrel-vaulted ceiling gives the place an extraordinary view. They're just a few tunnels that will surely amaze your eyes.
Indeed, ny wouldn't be exactly the same without the centuries-old infrastructure below. Subterranean Nyc has a deep dark history, and we've just scratched the surface. Also lie beneath its concrete feet?
