For many of us who live in or near cities, public transit is an integral part of our daily lives, helping us to travel to and from our job sites, schools, and countless other destinations. It is no wonder, then, that the Prints & Photographs Division collections include many images related to this form of transportation.
As America’s most famous rail transit system, New York’s subway is well represented in the collections. This 1908 stereograph card shows workers at an excavation site for a station in New York, with a view of a train on an elevated line above.
This postcard features two images in sequence, illustrating how the elaborate, though now defunct, City Hall subway station was located underground. The first subway trip in the city departed from this station in 1904.
Photographer Anthony Angel, also known as Angelo Rizzuto, took a number of striking shots of life on New York’s subway system in the mid-twentieth century. In the photo below, the baseball player at right occupies two seats while holding a glove on his lap and looking toward the boy at center with a serious expression.
This little boy seems to be absorbed by the view out the window.
London’s Underground was the world’s first subterranean rail system, first opening its doors in 1863. Artist Joseph Pennell chose the outside of Charing Cross station as the subject of this etching from 1890:
The message on this World War I-era poster advertises London’s transit system with dark humor:
That poster artist surely hadn’t foreseen the important role London’s subway system would serve during the next world war, sheltering residents while German bombs fell aboveground.
This coming March will mark the 50th anniversary of the Washington D.C. area’s Metrorail system. The U.S. News & World Report Magazine Photograph Collection includes many photographs documenting the system in its infancy, from construction to daily use.
As a regular rider on Washington, D.C.’s Metrorail system, I can squint my eyes and easily imagine this photograph was taken this morning during my daily commute:
Do any of these images elicit memories for you?
Learn More:
- See more images related to the New York subway by Anthony Angel.
- Explore the U.S. News & World Report Magazine Photograph Collection research guide.
- Read this blog post about a striking image situated right outside the entrance to the New York City Hall subway stop.
Comments (2)
Fascinating topic and variety of sources is surprising.
I’ll join Beverly in a round of applause for a surprising and appealing range of items, many time periods and places! Thank you.