Manhattan
Opened in 1904. Still surprising riders today.
In 1900, City Hall hosted the ceremonial start of subway construction just above this station. The press photographed a silver Tiffany & Co. shovel turning the first soil. But the real digging began two days later — quietly, at Bleecker Street.
The ceremony marked a proud public moment. The quieter work of building began just days later.
Standing on History
472 stations. Untold stories.
Opened in 1904, it was built specifically for New York's brand-new subway system. Earlier stations existed — but for other railroads. This one helped launch the system as we know it.
A ride here is a time travel to where New York's subway began.
Standing on History
472 stations. Untold stories.
Look closely at the ironwork and tile patterns and you'll spot two stylized letters — one forward B, one backward. They quietly stand for "Brooklyn Bridge," built right into the station's design.
The station's identity is literally embedded in its architecture.
Standing on History
472 stations. Untold stories.
The first person to ever use this station was described as "an anonymous middle-aged Brooklyn woman who picked up her skirt and raced down the rubber-covered stairs three at a time."
We may not know her name, but she claimed her place in history—outpacing the crowd to become NYC's first subway rider.
Standing on History
472 stations. Untold stories.
Every station has a different story. Where to next?
Standing on History
472 stations. Untold stories. One stop at a time.