There’s just one 18th Street station in the NYC subways — on the #1 train. 18th Street had been one of the stations on the Original 28 IRT stations opened in 1904, on today’s #6 line, but it was closed in 1948 when the Union Square/14th Street platforms were lengthened, leaving little space between the two.
But these weren’t the only 18th Street stations…
The 2nd, 3rd, and 6th Avenue Els all had 18th Street stations. In fact it was possible to walk from the Sixth Avenue El station platform directly into the vast Siegel-Cooper store (the building still stands).
In fact all the els show pretty much a uniformity when it comes to numbered station stops up to 42nd Street, when they began differing somewhat. I imagine 18th Street was considered midway between the 14th and 23rd Street stations, so they all arbitrarily added a station there.
After 1948, though, the 18th Street IRT West Side #1 station stood tall as the only rapid transit 18th Street survivor.
Check out the ForgottenBook, take a look at the gift shop, and as always, “comment…as you see fit.”
12/4/17
6 comments
Minor correction – Third Avenue El’s 18th Street station lasted until 1955 when the entire line in Manhattan was closed and razed.
The Hudson and Manhattan Tubes (now PATH) had a 19th Street station on 6th Ave. that closed around 1954.
Great map Kevin. When was it printed? Must be soon after the subway became operational. What is the significance of the dashed lines? Trolleys or street railways?
Map has to be between 1904 and 1917, after the original IRT subway opened and before the East and West Side lines were extended north and south from 42nd Street, respectively.
The big display windows on the second floor of Bed Bath & Beyond on Sixth Avenue were from when you could look directly in to Siegel Coopers from the 18th Street platform.
My immigrant grandfather took the name Siegel from that store thinking it the most American thing he ever saw.
Map is before 1914, since the Sixth Ave station at 38th St is not there. But I don’t know what to make of it showing only Third Avenue Railway system streetcar lines. IRT was affiliated with the other streetcar system.
“Cry of the City”, a film noir released in 1948, has a scene set at the 18th Street Station, including a street shot of the characters leaving a cab and heading towards the entry kiosk. Someday, I’ll get over and match that shot.