Key Takeaways
- The Old City Hall subway station in New York City will host a private swearing-in ceremony for mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani on January 1.
- The abandoned station, which opened in 1904, features tiled arches and ornate ceilings designed by Rafael Guastavino and is only accessible by guided tour.
- The station will make history again when Mamdani is sworn in as New York City’s first Muslim mayor and the youngest mayor since 1892.
- The Old City Hall station was one of New York City’s original 28 subway stations before it closed in 1945 due to the large gap between the train and the platform.
- The station’s unique architecture and history make it a significant landmark in New York City.
Introduction to the Old City Hall Subway Station
The Old City Hall subway station in New York City is a historic landmark that will briefly return to public life when mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani holds his private swearing-in ceremony beneath its tiled arches on January 1. The station, which opened in 1904, was one of New York City’s original 28 subway stations before it closed in 1945. The Old City Hall station is located beneath City Hall, which is one of the oldest, continuously used City Hall buildings in the US, completed in 1812.
Architecture and Design of the Station
The Old City Hall subway station features tiled arches and ornate ceilings designed by Spanish engineer Rafael Guastavino. Guastavino’s trademark vaulted arches also adorn Grand Central Terminal, the Queensboro Bridge, Ellis Island, and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, among other New York City landmarks. The station’s unique architecture and design make it a significant landmark in New York City. The subway platform features skylights and vaulted tile archways, and the original ticket hall still remains, with Guastavino tile adorning the walls.
Accessibility and Tours of the Station
The Old City Hall subway station is only accessible through guided tours offered by the New York Transit Museum. The tours are only open to New York Transit Museum members, with individual memberships starting at $65 per year, and tickets to the Old City Hall tours costing $50. On tours of the station, guides use a ramp to bridge the wide gap between the train doors and the subway platform, as the 6 train still passes by the Old City Hall platform after making its last stop at the modern Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall station.
Closure of the Station
The Old City Hall station closed in 1945 due to the large gap between the train and the platform. As subway trains added more cars and became longer, the station’s curved platform no longer sat flush to the doors, leaving a dangerously large opening over the live tracks. This made it difficult for passengers to safely board and exit the trains, and the station was eventually closed.
Historical Significance of the Station
The Old City Hall station will make history again when Mamdani is sworn in as New York City’s first Muslim mayor and the youngest mayor since 1892. The station’s unique architecture and history make it a significant landmark in New York City, and its brief return to public life for the swearing-in ceremony will be a rare opportunity for the public to experience this historic station. The original City Hall signage still remains, a testament to its place in history as one of New York City’s original 28 subway stations.
Future of the Station
The future of the Old City Hall subway station is uncertain, but its historical significance and unique architecture make it a valuable part of New York City’s cultural heritage. The station’s brief return to public life for the swearing-in ceremony will be a rare opportunity for the public to experience this historic station, and it is likely that the station will continue to be a source of interest and fascination for years to come. As the city continues to evolve and grow, it is likely that the Old City Hall subway station will remain a significant landmark and a reminder of the city’s rich history.
