The Subway Sun/Visit Your City Hall
Artist
Fred Cooper
United States, 1883 - 1962
Date1938
MediumOffset Lithograph
Dimensions16 x 22 in. (40.6 x 55.9 cm)
ClassificationsPoster
Credit LinePoster House Permanent Collection
Object numberPH.8048
DescriptionThe Interborough Rapid Transit Company (IRT) opened New York City’s original underground subway line in October 1904. In order to entice people to regularly use the subway, the IRT printed two in-car poster campaigns, The Elevated Express and The Subway Sun, that highlighted each borough’s unique attractions.This edition of The Subway Sun, designed by Fred Cooper, advertises New York City Hall. Today’s New York City Hall opened in 1812 and is both the third location for the government building and the oldest in the country still used for its original function. The building's beautiful neoclassical architecture, reflecting French and British influences, was part of its appeal but the poster also notes that visitors could see George Washington’s desk in the Governor's Room and other historic artifacts dating back to the American Revolution.
In 1904, the original City Hall subway station opened directly beneath the building. Its lavish design, complete with glass tiles and crystal chandeliers, made a visit to the area an exciting experience the moment a rider got off the train. Unfortunately, due to the proximity of the Brooklyn Bridge station, passenger traffic through the City Hall station remained low. The station was ultimately deemed unsuitable for the new, longer train cars and was closed in 1945.
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