2020 marks 65 years since the last IRT Third Avenue Elevated Line operated in Manhattan. As the last of four Manhattan north-south elevated lines built between 1868 and 1880, the Third Avenue Elevated helped to develop Yorkville and East Harlem as residential areas and was extended to The Bronx beginning in 1887, reaching Fordham Road by 1901. The Third Avenue Elevated line’s demolition process began in 1950 in Lower Manhattan and by 1955, the line was completely razed between Chatham Square and 149th Street in the Bronx. The last portion of the line, between 149th Street and Gun Hill Road, lasted until 1973.
Join long-time Transit Museum volunteer and CUNY instructor Andrew Sparberg for a digital discussion about the history of the Third Avenue Elevated Line. Using images from the Transit Museum’s archives, we will travel back to 1950 and take a virtual station-to-station ride along the line from South Ferry to Gun Hill Road. Along the way we will discover many of the line’s unique engineering and architectural features, as well as some long-forgotten branches at 34th and 42nd Streets that closed before the rest of the line.
This discussion will take place online. Upon registration, all participants will receive a confirmation e-mail with instructions on how to participate. We encourage you to download the Zoom app in advance for the best user experience
Please note: If you are a member, $10 will be taken off of your purchase at check-out when you sign in above to verify your membership and select 'Adult-Member' below.
Thank you for supporting the Transit Museum!