18th Street station (IRT Lexington Avenue Line)

Former New York City Subway station in Manhattan (closed 1948) 18th Street (disambiguation)18th Street August 2023 August 2023 former 18 Street 18 Street IRT 001.png 18th Street station shortly after construction IRT Lexington Avenue Line None (abandoned) 2 side platforms 4 Underground East 18th Street & Park Avenue SouthNew York, NY Manhattan Gramercy 40.737 N 73.989 W inline,title IRT 1904 10 27 yhttp://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1904/10/28/118948832.html Our Subway Open: 150,000 Try It; Mayor McClellan Runs the First Official Train. October 28, 1904 The New York Times April 21, 2020 en-US 0362-4331 1 December 13, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211213201856/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1904/10/28/118948832.html live 1948 11 8 yIRT Station To Be Closed; East Side Subway Trains to End Stops at 18th Street https://www.nytimes.com/1948/11/06/archives/irt-station-to-be-closed-east-side-subway-trains-to-end-stops-at.html The New York Times November 6, 1948 29 April 17, 2010 0362-4331 July 23, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180723065232/https://www.nytimes.com/1948/11/06/archives/irt-station-to-be-closed-east-side-subway-trains-to-end-stops-at.html live 23rd Street–Baruch College 14th Street–Union Square yes yes y 23rd Street–Baruch College 23 St–Baruch College 14th Street–Union Square 14 St–Union Sq y y IRT Lexington Avenue Line Lexington white 330 The 18th Street station was a local station on the IRT Lexington Avenue Line of the New York City Subway. It was located at the intersection of Park Avenue South and 18th Street in Gramercy, Manhattan. The 18th Street station was constructed for the Interborough Rapid Transit Company (IRT) as part of the city's first subway line, which was approved in 1900. Construction of the line segment that includes the 18th Street station started on September 12 of the same year. The station opened on October 27, 1904, as one of the original 28 stations of the New York City Subway. The station was closed on November 8, 1948, as a result of a platform lengthening project at 23rd Street. The 18th Street station contains two abandoned side platforms and four tracks. The station was built with tile and mosaic decorations. Many of these decorations have been covered with graffiti. History Construction and opening right thumb|The station in 1904 Planning for a subway line in New York City dates to 1864.21 However, development of what would become the city's first subway line did not start until 1894, when the New York State Legislature passed the Rapid Transit Act.Walker James Blaine https://archive.org/details/fiftyyearsrapid00walkgoog Fifty Years of Rapid Transit — 1864 to 1917 1918 Law Printing New York, N.Y. November 6, 2016139–140 The subway plans were drawn up by a team of engineers led by William Barclay Parsons, the Rapid Transit Commission's chief engineer. It called for a subway line from New York City Hall in lower Manhattan to the Upper West Side, where two branches would lead north into the Bronx.October 23, 1979 Interborough Rapid Transit System, Underground Interior http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/1096.pdf November 19, 2019 New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission September 21, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200921135400/https://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/1096.pdf live3 A plan was formally adopted in 1897,148 and all legal conflicts over the route alignment were resolved near the end of 1899.161 The Rapid Transit Construction Company, organized by John B. McDonald and funded by August Belmont Jr., signed the initial Contract 1 with the Rapid Transit Commission in February 1900,https://archive.org/details/cu31924022794253/page/n253/mode/2up?q=april+28 Report of the Board of Rapid Transit Railroad Commissioners for the City of New York For The Year Ending December 31, 1904 Accompanied By Reports of the Chief Engineer and of the Auditor Board of Rapid Transit Railroad Commissioners 1905 229–236 in which it would construct the subway and maintain a 50-year operating lease from the opening of the line.165 In 1901, the firm of Heins & LaFarge was hired to design the underground stations.4 Belmont incorporated the Interborough Rapid Transit Company (IRT) in April 1902 to operate the subway.182 The 18th Street station was constructed as part of the route segment from Great Jones Street to 41st Street. Construction on this section of the line began on September 12, 1900. The section from Great Jones Street to a point 100 feet (30 m) north of 33rd Street was awarded to Holbrook, Cabot & Daly Contracting Company, while the remaining section to 41st Street was done by Ira A. Shaker. By late 1903, the subway was nearly complete, but the IRT Powerhouse and the system's electrical substations were still under construction, delaying the system's opening.1861903-11-14 First of Subway Tests; West Side Experimental Trains to be Run by Jan. 1 Broadway Tunnel Tracks Laid, Except on Three Little Sections, to 104th Street -- Power House Delays. en-US The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1903/11/14/archives/first-of-subway-tests-west-side-experimental-trains-to-be-run-by.html 2022-05-10 0362-4331 The 18th Street station opened on October 27, 1904, as one of the original 28 stations of the New York City Subway from City Hall to 145th Street on the Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line.186 Service changes and closure After the first subway line was completed in 1908,https://www.nytimes.com/1908/08/02/archives/our-first-subway-completed-at-last-opening-of-the-van-cortlandt.html Our First Subway Completed At Last — Opening of the Van Cortlandt Extension Finishes System Begun in 1900 — The Job Cost $60,000,000 — A Twenty-Mile Ride from Brooklyn to 242d Street for a Nickel Is Possible Now August 2, 1908 The New York Times November 6, 2016 10 December 23, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211223112020/https://www.nytimes.com/1908/08/02/archives/our-first-subway-completed-at-last-opening-of-the-van-cortlandt.html live the station was served by local trains along both the West Side (now the Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line to Van Cortlandt Park–242nd Street) and East Side (now the Lenox Avenue Line). West Side local trains had their southern terminus at City Hall during rush hours and South Ferry at other times, and had their northern terminus at 242nd Street. East Side local trains ran from City Hall to Lenox Avenue (145th Street).https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=nyp.33433081730503;view=1up;seq=151 Brooklyn Daily Eagle Almanac Brooklyn Daily Eagle 1916 119 Herries William December 24, 2020 May 11, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210511155639/https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=nyp.33433081730503;view=1up;seq=151 live To address overcrowding, in 1909, the New York Public Service Commission proposed lengthening the platforms at stations along the original IRT subway.Hood Clifton 1978 The Impact of the IRT in New York City https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/master/pnp/habshaer/ny/ny0300/ny0387/data/ny0387data.pdf December 20, 2020 Historic American Engineering Record 146–207 (PDF pp. 147–208) January 17, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210117001227/https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/master/pnp/habshaer/ny/ny0300/ny0387/data/ny0387data.pdf live168 As part of a modification to the IRT's construction contracts made on January 18, 1910, the company was to lengthen station platforms to accommodate ten-car express and six-car local trains. In addition to $1.5 million (equivalent to $c US 1.5 1910 1 million in US) spent on platform lengthening, $500,000 (equivalent to $c US 0.5 1910 1 million in US) was spent on building additional entrances and exits. It was anticipated that these improvements would increase capacity by 25 percent.https://books.google.com/books?id=0fBLAQAAMAAJ&q=+zoological+station&pg=PA596 Report of the Public Service Commission for the First District of the State of New York For The Year Ending December 31, 1910 1911 Public Service Commission en January 7, 2021 January 20, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210120015525/https://books.google.com/books?id=0fBLAQAAMAAJ&q=%20zoological%20station&pg=PA596 live15 Platforms at local stations, such as the 18th Street station, were lengthened by between 20 and 30 ft. Both platforms were extended to the north and south.108 Six-car local trains began operating in October 1910.168 The Lexington Avenue Line opened north of Grand Central–42nd Street in 1918, and the original line was divided into an H-shaped system. All local trains were sent via the Lexington Avenue Line, running along the Pelham Line in the Bronx.August 2, 1918 Open New Subway Lines to Traffic; Called a Triumph — Great H System Put in Operation Marks an Era in Railroad Construction — No Hitch in the Plans — But Public Gropes Blindly to Find the Way in Maze of New Stations — Thousands Go Astray — Leaders in City's Life Hail Accomplishment of Great Task at Meeting at the Astor 1 The New York Times https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1918/08/02/97011929.pdf November 6, 2016 February 21, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210221065215/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1918/08/02/97011929.pdf live In December 1922, the Transit Commission approved a $3 million project to lengthen platforms at 14 local stations along the original IRT line, including 18th Street and seven other stations on the Lexington Avenue Line. Platform lengths at these stations would be increased from 225 to 436 ft.December 17, 1922 33d Street to Be I.R.T. Express Stop; Reconstruction One of Many Station Improvements Ordered by Commission. en-US The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1922/12/17/archives/33d-street-to-be-irt-express-stop-reconstruction-one-of-many.html June 21, 2022 0362-4331December 18, 1922 $4,000,000 in Construction on I. R. T. Ordered: 33d St. on East Side Subway Will Be Express Stop; Local Stations to Have 10-Car Train Capacity Aim to Speed Service Improvements Will Relieve Congestion Along Both Routes. Board Believes 22 New-York Tribune 573974563 The commission postponed the platform-lengthening project in September 1923, at which point the cost had risen to $5.6 million.1923-09-07 Express Stop Plan Opposed by I.R.T.; Officials Say Money Is Not Available for Change at 33d Street Station. en-US The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1923/09/07/archives/express-stop-plan-opposed-by-irt-officials-say-money-is-not.html 2022-06-21 0362-43311237290874 I. R. T. Wins Delay At Subway Platform Extension Hearing: Transit Commission Head Tells Meeting Widening West Side Stations Would Increase Capacity 25 P. C 7 Sep 1923 6 New-York Tribune The closing of this station was proposed as early as 1928.https://books.google.com/books?id=hSwxAAAAMAAJ&q=%22columbus+circle%22+%22express+station%22 Proceedings of the Board of Transportation of the City of New York 1928 New York Board of Transportation en March 2, 2021 May 4, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220504020635/https://books.google.com/books?id=hSwxAAAAMAAJ&q=%22columbus+circle%22+%22express+station%22 live The city government took over the IRT's operations on June 12, 1940.1940-06-13 City Transit Unity Is Now a Reality; Title to I.R.T. Lines Passes to Municipality, Ending 19-Year Campaign en-US The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1940/06/13/archives/city-transit-unity-is-now-a-reality-title-to-irt-lines-passes-to.html 2022-05-14 0362-4331 January 7, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220107193115/https://www.nytimes.com/1940/06/13/archives/city-transit-unity-is-now-a-reality-title-to-irt-lines-passes-to.html live June 13, 1940 Transit Unification Completed As City Takes Over I. R. T. Lines: Systems Come Under Single Control After Efforts Begun in 1921; Mayor Is Jubilant at City Hall Ceremony Recalling 1904 Celebration 25 New York Herald Tribune 1248134780 The station closed on November 8, 1948. The platforms at 23rd Street had been lengthened, with entrances at 22nd Street, and the 18th Street station was close to the 14th Street–Union Square station. Station layout thumb|Entrance area with ticket booth and control Like other local stations, 18th Street has four tracks and two abandoned side platforms. The two local tracks, which formerly served the station, are used by the 6 train at all times, <6> trains during weekdays in the peak direction, and the 4 train during late nights. The two express tracks are used by the 4 and 5 trains during daytime hours.trackref trackbook3 The platforms were 200 ft long, like at other local stations on the original IRT.48 As with other stations built as part of the original IRT, the station was constructed using a cut-and-cover method.Scott Charles 1978 Design and Construction of the IRT: Civil Engineering https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/master/pnp/habshaer/ny/ny0300/ny0387/data/ny0387data.pdf December 20, 2020 Historic American Engineering Record 208–282 (PDF pp. 209–283) January 17, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210117001227/https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/master/pnp/habshaer/ny/ny0300/ny0387/data/ny0387data.pdf live237 The tunnel is covered by a U-shaped trough that contains utility pipes and wires. This trough contains a foundation of concrete no less than 4 in thick.9 Each former platform consists of 3 in cm -thick mid concrete slabs, beneath which are drainage basins. The former platforms contain circular, cast-iron Doric-style columns spaced every 15 ft. Additional columns between the tracks, spaced every 5 ft, support the jack-arched concrete station roofs.4Framberger David J. 1978 Architectural Designs for New York's First Subway https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/master/pnp/habshaer/ny/ny0300/ny0387/data/ny0387data.pdf 2020-12-20 Historic American Engineering Record 1–46 (PDF pp. 367–412) January 17, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210117001227/https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/master/pnp/habshaer/ny/ny0300/ny0387/data/ny0387data.pdf live9 There is a 1 in on gap between the trough wall and the platform walls, which are made of 4 in on-thick brick covered over by a tiled finish.9 The decorative scheme consisted of blue/green tile tablets, buff and violet tile bands, a violet faience cornice, and green faience plaques.34 The mosaic tiles at all original IRT stations were manufactured by the American Encaustic Tile Company, which subcontracted the installations at each station.31 The decorative work was performed by tile contractor Manhattan Glass Tile Company and faience contractor Grueby Faience Company.34 The 18th Street station is fairly well preserved, with the exception of graffiti and some litter. See also Worth Street station 91st Street station (IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line) References External links http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/stations?5:3099 IRT East Side Line 18th Street Abandoned Stations – 18 Street Forgotten NY – Original 28 – NYC's First 28 Subway Stations Forgotten NY: Subways and Trains – Dead at 18 yes Category:Defunct Interborough Rapid Transit Company stations Category:IRT Lexington Avenue Line stations Category:Railway stations in the United States opened in 1904 Category:1904 establishments in New York City Category:Former elevated and subway stations in Manhattan * Category:Gramercy Park Category:1948 disestablishments in New York (state) Category:Railway stations in the United States closed in 1948