Looking Back | 18th St. Subway Station

Susan Keyloun takes a look at a subway station that’s been closed for more than six decades.

Abandoned 18th street subway by Susan Keyloun#3

“When I catch a glimpse of Old New York on my peripatetic jaunts throughout this fascinating city, I can’t help but celebrate her history. My most recent glimpse: the abandoned 18th Street Subway station, which was opened to the public in 1904 and shuttered in 1948. I visited the station, at 18th Street and Park Avenue South, with an accommodating MTA employee who took photos of the station since I was not allowed to go below ground.”


Abandoned 18th street subway by Susan Keyloun#1

“There is no discernable evidence at street level that this station ever existed, except perhaps for the old steel curb seen above.”


Abandoned 18th street subway by Susan Keyloun#2

“I walk over this grate on my commute, and can’t help but imagine the souls of bygone commuters logging their miles at this station, which opened some 100 years ago (when the subway fare was five cents).”


Abandoned 18th street subway by Susan Keyloun#3

“Stairs leading to/from 18th Street.”


Abandoned 18th street subway by Susan Keyloun#4

“The station is still visible through the windows of a northbound Lexington Avenue IRT train.”


Abandoned 18th street subway by Susan Keyloun#5

“Original photos of the station can be seen here and here. We can walk a block in New York and take a trip around the world. And when we’re lucky, a trip into the past as well.”


Susan Keyloun is a community contributor to The Local East Village. Her photography can be seen here.