Find Historical Relics of Union Square Subway Station's Past All Throughout the Station

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Remnants of 1904 Union Square Subway Station Hidden in Plain Sight
Remnants of 1904 Union Square Subway Station Hidden in Plain Sight
Photo: Michelle Young

Our friends at Untapped Cities recently put together a collection of the fascinating historical relics in plain sight at the Union Square subway station.

Walking through the Union Square subway station, you may notice bright red outlines scattered throughout. More than mere decoration, the color intervention is part of a 1998 MTA Arts & Design commission, “Framing Union Square” by Mary Miss.

Check out the full article for more.

The pieces showcased come from a renovation of the Union Square station and range from large standalone wall pieces to infrastructural portions of the station – pipes, signage, and the like.
The pieces showcased come from a renovation of the Union Square station and range from large standalone wall pieces to infrastructural portions of the station – pipes, signage, and the like.
Photo: Michelle Young
The six terra cotta eagles that date to 1904 were thought to have been lost, but were unearthed in the renovation.
The six terra cotta eagles that date to 1904 were thought to have been lost, but were unearthed in the renovation.
Photo: Michelle Young
Along one corridor between the 14th Street and 17th Street entrances are narrow openings, with printed fragments of the station’s history, like telephone cables and names of former transit workers.
Along one corridor between the 14th Street and 17th Street entrances are narrow openings, with printed fragments of the station’s history, like telephone cables and names of former transit workers.
Photo: Michelle Young
Along one corridor between the 14th Street and 17th Street entrances are narrow openings, with printed fragments of the station’s history, like telephone cables and names of former transit workers.
Along one corridor between the 14th Street and 17th Street entrances are narrow openings, with printed fragments of the station’s history, like telephone cables and names of former transit workers.
Photo: Michelle Young
Along one corridor between the 14th Street and 17th Street entrances are narrow openings, with printed fragments of the station’s history, like telephone cables and names of former transit workers.
Along one corridor between the 14th Street and 17th Street entrances are narrow openings, with printed fragments of the station’s history, like telephone cables and names of former transit workers.
Photo: Michelle Young
On the metal bars that offer a look down onto the 4/5/6 platforms, the artist highlights the name of the structural piece: “Steel bulb – angle column” and above the wall pieces, “1904 Greuby Faience,” the name of the ceramics company that produced the mosaics for the first subway line.
On the metal bars that offer a look down onto the 4/5/6 platforms, the artist highlights the name of the structural piece: “Steel bulb – angle column” and above the wall pieces, “1904 Greuby Faience,” the name of the ceramics company that produced the mosaics for the first subway line.
Photo: Michelle Young
Looking in, you will see the station’s workings – sometimes you will see layers of words and reflected images
Looking in, you will see the station’s workings – sometimes you will see layers of words and reflected images
Photo: Michelle Young
Looking in, you will see the station’s workings – sometimes you will see layers of words and reflected images
Looking in, you will see the station’s workings – sometimes you will see layers of words and reflected images
Photo: Michelle Young
Looking in, you will see the station’s workings – sometimes you will see layers of words and reflected images
Looking in, you will see the station’s workings – sometimes you will see layers of words and reflected images
Photo: Michelle Young
Looking in, you will see the station’s workings – sometimes you will see layers of words and reflected images
Looking in, you will see the station’s workings – sometimes you will see layers of words and reflected images
Photo: Michelle Young
Looking in, you will see the station’s workings – sometimes you will see layers of words and reflected images
Looking in, you will see the station’s workings – sometimes you will see layers of words and reflected images
Photo: Michelle Young
Looking in, you will see the station’s workings – sometimes you will see layers of words and reflected images
Looking in, you will see the station’s workings – sometimes you will see layers of words and reflected images
Photo: Michelle Young

via Untapped Cities

Union Square
Matt Coneybeare

Matt Coneybeare

Editor in Chief

Matt enjoys exploring the City's with his partner and son. He is an avid marathon runner, and spends most of his time eating, running, and working on cool stuff.

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