Building the New York City subway was a massive undertaking. Tunnels had to be dug, tracks put down, and electric lines, water mains, and other underground infrastructure dodged.
And then, stations had to be designed. A young pair of architects, George Heins and Christopher LaFarge, were given the job.
Their lovely work still survives. Heins & LaFarge created the arches and vaulted ceilings of early stations like City Hall as well as ornamental touches like garlands and wreaths lining platforms.
They built street kiosks, some of which are still in use today (like at West 72nd Street). And they’re responsible for designing these terra cotta and ceramic name tablets.
Tags: 28th Street subway station, Bleecker Street subway station, first subway 1904, Heins & LaFarge, mosaics and tiles on subway platforms, New York City subway history, Spring Street Subway station, subway name tablets
October 4, 2010 at 1:18 pm |
You’re able to look up (at cornices and gargoyles) and look below the ground to the subway too. Nice post.
October 4, 2010 at 3:08 pm |
Thank you. It’s remarkable to me how much art and design are in subway stations. Much of it has been ripped out in favor of industrial-looking tiles and cement, unfortunately…
October 4, 2010 at 1:22 pm |
Many times I’ve stared and admired them while waiting for a subway. What history of NYC went on above them?
October 4, 2010 at 2:55 pm |
Years ago I tried to interest New York magazine in a piece on the ceramic plaques. They were more interested in sensation than beauty, so it was a bad fit.
October 4, 2010 at 3:07 pm |
It’s NY mag’s loss. There’s a lot of beauty on subway platforms. We take it for granted.
October 4, 2010 at 5:49 pm |
Just recently, the beautiful tile work at the old South Ferry station was abandoned in favor of a stark modernist look at the new station. No one seems to know if the old medallions are still there waiting to be salvaged.
October 4, 2010 at 10:52 pm |
“Subway Style” has many more wonderful photos of these tile works.
I particularly like the eagles on 34th St. Station.
http://www.amazon.com/Subway-Style-Years-Architecture-Design/dp/158479349X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1286232620&sr=8-1
Grab a used copy for under $6!
October 5, 2010 at 5:16 pm |
Love the old tiles in subway stations!
November 9, 2015 at 6:21 am |
[…] called the Times Plaza Control House after it opened in 1908. (Today, it’s the restored Heins & LaFarge kiosk with “Atlantic Avenue” on the […]
December 4, 2017 at 7:08 am |
[…] the original IRT line in Manhattan have some lovely decorative touches, like floral motifs and ceramic tablets indicating the station […]