A “Secret” Subway Stop

Yahoo News ^ | Tue Nov. 9, 2010 | Mike Krumboltz

[iowamark]

Hidden deep under New York City, a "secret" subway stop is drawing visitors. The Big Apple's City Hall station, a beautiful structure that opened in 1904, but has been out of use for decades, can be seen by riders ... if they know how to make the journey. Check out these photos below, courtesy of John-Paul Palescandolo....

So why was the station closed so many years ago? Motobullet explains that the station's curved tracks played a part in its closure. When subway cars moved their doors to the center, it "created an dangerous gap between the exit point on the train and the platform." There were plans to make the stop into a transit museum, but security concerns, especially following the events of 9/11/01, put the plan in limbo.

Now, though, folks who take a little extra time amid New York's hustle and bustle can spy the station with their own eyes.

[iowamark]

Eight photos at:

New York's City Hall Subway Station

[Mr. K]

Because people are too stupid NOT TO step into a hole in the ground and then blame someone else.

[iowamark]

New York’s subway opened in 1904. City Hall station closed in 1945.

http://www.forgotten-ny.com/SUBWAYS/City%20Hall%20Station/cityhall.html
“”The night [October 27, 1904] took on a carnival atmosphere, like New Year’s Eve. Many couples celebrated in style by putting on their best clothes, going out to dinner, and then taking their first subway ride together. Some people spent the entire evening on the trains, going back and forth from 145th Street to City Hall for hours. Reveling in the sheer novelty of the underground, these riders wanted to soak up its unfamiliar sights and sensations for as long as possible. In a few instances high-spirited boys and girls took over part of a car and began singing songs, flirting, and fooling around. The sheer exuberance of opening night proved to be too much for others; although they bought their green IRT tickets and entered the stations like everyone else, these timid passengers were so overwhelmed by their new surroundings that they did not even attempt to board a train. All they could do was stand on the platform and gawk.””

[GeronL]

Nice to know that people will be able to get under city hall if they stay on the train.

Good thing the terrorists will never see this article, huh?

[bgill]

Very nice and all but why is it being kept so clean and well lit? What is this costing the taxpayer?

[tlb]

It’s not the only “lost” rail station. There was one built under the Waldorf-Astoria hotel secretly used by Franklin Roosevelt.

“President Roosevelt’s] “armor-plated Pierce Arrow car would drive off the train, onto this platform and into the elevator, and it would bring him and his car into the hotel garage.” ... “

http://www.columbia.edu/~brennan/abandoned/gct61.html

[kidd]

A little bit of pre-liberal NYC preserved for all to see.

Or “what NYC could look like if its residents took personal responsibility” rather than an attitide of “someone has the job of cleaning that”

[Cowman]

Actually, there was a whole “Lost” subway line from the 1870’s that wasn't found until they excavated for the city approved subway

http://www.shohola.com/AlfredBeach/

[Schnucki]

Very nice and all but why is it being kept so clean and well lit?

For the mole people? ;)

[Tanniker Smith]

Part of the reason why it’s closed, actually.

[GeronL]

So why tell people HOW to get under there? That is what this artcle says.

[wtc911]

Very nice and all but why is it being kept so clean and well lit?

_____________________________

It is frequently used as a film location. I've shot there.

[bgill]

I learn something new every day on FR.

[pamlet]

It’s a beautiful location!! At least from the photos .. I love that era.

Growing up in Chicago the old public library is FULL of that stuff .. (a lot can be seen in the Untouchables.. )

[Trajan88]

Not a secret... when I was in NYC in October I decided to go to the Museum of Natural History... believe it was at 81st Street (on Upper West Side)... subway stopped right at the underground entrance to the museum. Cool... at least to me ... I live in Texas where we have to drive everywhere :-)

[wtc911]

I learn something new every day on FR.

_________________________________________

Tomorrow we're going to work on where babies come from...

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

There’s a tunnel that leads from Penn Station to the Pennsylvania Hotel ( Phone number: PEnnsylvania-5-6000), which has been closed for years. When the Pennsylvania Railroad owned the station and the hotel, passengers staying in the hotel could walk from the train platform to the hotel without having to cross 7th Avenue and the without having to wait for their luggage, porters would take their luggage from train directly to the hotel where it would be brought up.

[Dr. Sivana]

Great superheroes have gotten their start in abandoned subway tunnels.

[SunkenCiv]

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