Opening of the New York Subway's First Section

The Interborough Rapid Transit Company opened New York City's first underground rapid transit line on August 25, 1904, stretching 9.1 miles from City Hall to 145th Street. Chief engineer William Barclay Parsons overcame challenging Manhattan bedrock and groundwater issues using cut-and-cover techniques and electric multiple-unit trains. Mayor George B. McClellan operated the inaugural train, carrying thousands of excited riders on its debut day. The subway dramatically reduced travel times across the growing metropolis, spurring real-estate development and shaping the modern five-borough city. Its engineering innovations and scale influenced subway systems worldwide and remain central to the daily lives of millions of New Yorkers.