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Historical Maps

From nycsubway.org

title_Historical_Maps.jpg

The 1964 World's Fair edition of the subway system maps included this illustration on the cover.

1880-1900

1900-1910

1910-1920

  • August, 1919 map of the Borough of Brooklyn, NY and vicinity, showing that part of the Brooklyn Rapid Transit System "over which elevated trains are operated" and "over which surface trolley cars are operated". From the collection of UC Berkeley, thanks to Tim Zukas for sending them.

1920-1940

  • The 1939 BMT map shows the joint IRT/BMT Queens service, the Myrtle El, the Lexington El, Fulton El, 3rd and 5th Avenue El (all in Brooklyn), Brooklyn Bridge service to Park Row, and the longer Canarsie line. Scan thanks to Richard Ondrovic.
  • 1939 system map (George J Nostrand/Seaman's Bank for Savings publisher, in the Hagstrom map style) shows the New York rapid transit system at nearly its most extensive configuration. Only the 6th Avenue el has been removed from service; the Brooklyn els are all still present, the IND lines completed (except for the Fulton past Rockaway Ave), and depicts Brooklyn Bridge train service and the 1939 World's Fair subway line. Note the errors depicting South Ferry and on the northern end of the Myrtle Ave el (it depicts the Myrtle tying into the Canarsie line not the Broadway line). This map also shows the BMT/IND connections at Church-Ditmas, and Queens Plaza, which, although proposed in 1940 didn't open until 1954. Thanks to Henry Kuck for the scan.

1940-1960

  • BMT route map from around 1942-1948. This map shows the BMT going to both Astoria and Flushing. The map also shows the Lexington Avenue El (stopped running 1950) and the Culver Line to Coney Island (stopped 1954). The date of the map may be as early as 1942, as the trolley from Rockaway Pkwy. to Jamaica Bay is still shown.
  • Port Authority of New York Harbor Terminals Map, 1956. Doesn't show any subway lines but includes all of the regional NJ and NY railroad lines and their terminals and stations. Thanks to Tim Zukas for the scan.
  • 1959 system map, including route information for the three divisions. One of the first in the "new" schematic style. This map shows the 3rd Ave. El cut back to Bronx service only; the abandonment of the Bronx Park spurs of the 3rd Ave. and White Plains Road lines; the abandonment of the Polo Grounds shuttle; Culver Shuttle service is shown has having thru service from the 4th Ave. Subway to Ditmas; and service to the Rockaways (which started in 1956) is present with a "15c extra fare" notation. Thanks to Joe Korman for the scan.

1960-1970

  • The first in a new style, the 1967 map shows each line in its own color, and the Third Avenue (8), Myrtle Avenue (MJ), and Culver Shuttle (SS) lines are still running. The Chrystie Street Connection has just opened changing Manhattan Bridge service patterns, notably disconnection of the old Nassau Loop service. This map image is hand-redrawn by Michael Calcagno, patterned after the original map.
  • This "pop up"-style foldout map was produced for the Irving Trust Bank (Nestor's Map and guide Corp) and dated July 1968, showing: Double letter locals (RR, RJ, JJ, QJ, TT, QB, MJ, etc.), Chrystie Street service; express "F" service in Brooklyn, etc. The Bronx was depicted in three sections: north of Tremont Avenue was on the back side of the map in two halves, the three sections were pieced back together for this scan.
  • The 1968 map shows shows the new KK service from 57th/6th to Broadway-East New York via the Chrystie Street Connection. Hand-redrawn by Michael Calcagno, patterned after the original map. Compare to the photo of the real map contributed by Chris Slaight.
  • The 1969 map shows the discontinuance of the Myrtle Avenue (MJ) service between Jay and Broadway. Hand-redrawn by Michael Calcagno, patterned after the original map.
  • This 1969 map of the Myrtle Avenue (MJ) depicts the line just prior to its abandonment and demolition between Jay Street and Broadway. Hand-redrawn by Michael Calcagno, patterned after the original map.

1970-1980

  • Scan of a map from 1972, courtesy Henry Szablicki and Brian Hilley.
  • This map from 1973 depicts the track work of the IRT #8 line - the Third Avenue Elevated in the Bronx - just before its abandonment and demolition. Hand drawn by Michael Calcagno.
  • This map from 1974 shows each line in its own color. The Third Avenue, Myrtle Avenue, and Culver Shuttle lines are no longer in service. Hand drawn by Michael Calcagno.
  • The Culver Shuttle tracks prior to its abandonment in 1975. Map by Michael Calcagno.
  • The 1978 map also shows each line in its own color. Major changes: elimination of the K train and the elimination of the 5, 6 and SS service from South Ferry; C and E terminal switch. Hand drawn by Michael Calcagno.

1980-Present

  • Here is a custom-designed route map by Wikimedia user "SPUI". It predates the opening of the Second Avenue Subway in 2017. The creator hereby releases this map into the public domain and grants a license to use this image for any purpose.

Single Line Diagrams

Various "single line diagrams". These are in JPG format typically scanned from photocopied reductions of the large diagrams and are thus, not the best quality. Dates vary. (See: How to read a single line diagram)

Yard Maps

Bus Maps

  • A circa-1940 New York City Omnibus Corp motor coach route map. Courtsey Hank Eisenstein.
    • Part 1: Hotels, government buildings, schools, and churches; closeup map of the theater district
    • Part 2: Stores, bus terminals, hospitals, interesting views, fares, transfers, etc
    • Part 3: Full Map
  • 1974 Culture Bus Loop Guide. Courtesy Hank Eisenstein.
    • Part 1: List of Stops and Attractions
    • Part 2: Detail of Loop Route
  • 1974 Manhattan Bus Guide. Courtesy Hank Eisenstein.
    • Part 1: The Whole Map
    • Part 2: 68th to 96th Sts., Inwood, Fort George & Harlem River
    • Part 3: 96th St. to Ft. George
    • Part 4: Battery to 68th St.
  • 1976 Manhattan Bus Guide. Courtesy Hank Eisenstein.
    • Part 1: Inwood and Upper East Side Detail
    • Part 2: 72nd thru 95th Sts.
    • Part 3: 145th thru 193rd Sts.
    • Part 4 14th thru 66th Sts.
    • Part 5: Battery thru 12th Sts.
    • Part 6: 96th thru 145th Sts.








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