Day One on the IRT: October 27th & 28th, 1904

"On behalf of the people, I hereby declare the subway open!"

Take a step back into time, to the very first days of the IRT. Imagine that it's late October 1904 and there's a huge crowd at City Hall Park, waiting for the opportunity to try out the new subway. The New York Times was there to cover it all, and thanks to the untiring hands of Mark Feinman and Robert Marrero, they have been transcribed and posted here.

Clamor for Tickets for Subway Opening: Distribution Plan Criticised by Engineers and Many Others. Several Stations Lack Finishing Touches. Debate over invitations to the opening ceremonies and a rundown of stations completed (Oct. 26, 1904).

Subway Opening To-day With Simple Ceremony: Exercises at One o'Clock; Public to be Admitted at Seven. This was the front page story on October 27th, 1904, with a program of the day's events.

Exercises in the City Hall: Mayor Declares Subway Open. Ovations for Parsons and McDonald. Quotations from speeches in City Hall from various dignitaries, including Mayor McClellan, William Barclay Parsons, Alexander H. Orr, John B. McDonald, and August Belmont.

McClellan Motorman of First Subway Train: Mayor Used Silver Controller to Start Official Train. Kept up Express Speed. Company had Expected Its Motor Instructor to Replace Him After the Start. This article describes that first ride on the IRT, and the well known fact that Mayor McClellan was having so much fun, he didn't want to stop playing with his new electric train set.

Our Subway Open: 150,000 Try It: Mayor McClellan Runs the First Official Train. Big Crowds Ride At Night. This was the front page story on October 28th, 1904. In the article is a table of ridership on that first night, which approached 150,000.

Some Subway "Ifs" and "Don'ts": Remember that the subway was new and, except for the construction crews and IRT employees, most people didn't know how to "use" it. The Times published a sort-of subway FAQ that answered most people's fears and most commonly asked questions about the new subway.

Things Seen and Heard Along the Underground: Experiences Here and There of Nascent Subwayites. Mr. Baker Rides on a Pass. Timid One Buys a Ticket to Use Five Years Hence. Admiral Coghlan's Final Word. This article described some of the other goings-on on the first public IRT rides and some overheard conversations.

Interesting Facts About Our Subway: Chronology of the Great Underground System. First Rapid Transit Commission Named by Mayor Grant--- Hewitt's Plan Approved. Few Accidents In Subway. This article offers a brief timeline to the city's rapid transit planning and some other tidbits about the new subway. (Oct. 28, 1904)

Rush Hour Blockade Jams Subway Crowds: Other Delays, Day and Evening, Pack Many Stations. It's "Newness" Say Officials. They Are Satisfied with Results - 350,000 Passengers Carried from Midnight to Midnight Yesterday.. A report from Saturday, October 29th, reporting on the first regular day of service.