New York City Subway Turns 120: A Ride Through History

A Century of Commutes: NYC Subway Celebrates 120 Years

The New York City subway system, a vital artery of the city, turned 120 on Sunday, October 27th. From its humble beginnings with nine miles of track and 28 stations, the Interboro Rapid Transit (IRT) has evolved into a sprawling network that has transformed the city's landscape.

The New York Transit Museum is commemorating this milestone with a new exhibit titled "The Subway Is…", exploring the system's rich history. The exhibit showcases the evolution of the subway, from wooden train cars to the modern R211 models, and highlights the impact of the system on urban development and city planning.

A Journey Through Time

The exhibit dives deep into the intricate details of the subway's past, including the carefully planned mosaics that adorned early stations. "There was this movement called City Beautiful… the thinking behind that was that if you give people a built environment in their city that is beautiful and imbued with art, they will behave and be better citizens," said Jodi Shapiro, curator at the New York Transit Museum.

Visitors can also learn about the technological advancements that have shaped the subway, from the hand-built tunnels of the early days to the modern tunnel boring machines. The exhibit also traces the unification of the three original systems – the IRT (numbered lines), the BMT (Brooklyn Manhattan Transportation Company), and the city-owned independent system (lettered lines) – into the unified New York City Transit in 1953, the same year the iconic subway token was introduced.

A City Shaped by the Subway

The subway's influence extends beyond transportation, shaping the city's development. "Most of the time, understand the subway will get you from point A to point B, but also creates point B. There are entire neighborhoods that were created by the extension of the subway, most recently Hudson Yards," said Concetta Bencivenga, director at the New York Transit Museum.

The "The Subway Is…" exhibit invites visitors to explore the legacy of the subway, and to reflect on its ongoing impact on the lives of New Yorkers. The exhibit is running through next year, offering a unique opportunity to celebrate this vital part of New York City's history and identity.