Historical Maps

The 1964 World's Fair edition of the subway system maps included this illustration on the cover.

1880-1900

• Our first map is a scan of a USGS survey map of southern Brooklyn, originally drafted in 1888. Railways and trolley rights-of-way are noted. Courtesy J. Alan Septimus. The map is labeled as follows: "United States Department of the Interior Geological Survey". / "State of New York - Represented by the Department of Public Works". / "NEW YORK - Brooklyn Quadrangle". / "H.M. Wilson, Geographer in charge. Triangulation by the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey. Topography by the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, N.Y.City Government, S.H.Bodfish, Frank Sutton, and J.W.Thom. Surveyed in 1888-89 and 1897 in cooperation with the State of New York." / "Edition of Feb.1900, reprinted 1948. Partial revision of shoreline 1924. Polyconic projection, North American datum. Brooklyn, N.Y. N4030-W7345/15"
  • Brooklyn Survey Map - Trolley Lines (1888)
  • Brooklyn Survey Map - Trolley Lines (1888), Coney Island Area Detail
  • Brooklyn Survey Map - Trolley Lines (1888), Jamaica Area Detail
  • Brooklyn Survey Map - Trolley Lines (1888), Prospect Park to Canarsie Detail, showing Bay Ridge branch LIRR
  • Brooklyn Survey Map - Trolley Lines (1888), Rockaway and Jamaica Bay Area Detail, New York and Rockaway Beach Railroad

1900-1910

• Several different maps were published coinciding with the opening of the IRT subway in 1904 and its Brooklyn extension in 1905.
  • IRT Subway: Map and Profile of the IRT Subway (New York Subway Souvenir, 1904)
  • IRT Subway: Map and Profile of the IRT Subway (1904)
  • IRT Subway: Interborough Rapid Transit Subway and Elevated Lines (The New York Subway, Its Construction and Equipment, 1904)
  • IRT Subway: Plan and Profile of the Rapid Transit Subway (Century Magazine, 1904)
  • IRT Subway: Map and Profile of Brooklyn-Manhattan Rapid Transit Subway (Contract 2) (1904)
  • IRT Subway: Underground Rapid Transit Routes Proposed by the Metropolitan Interests (1904) (PDF)
  • IRT Subway: Interborough Rapid Transit Company Map, Showing Present Subway and Elevated Lines and Proposed Extensions (1904)
  • IRT Subway: Profile Map of the New York Subway from Brooklyn Bridge to the Bronx (The Subway Deal, 1904)

• Interborough Subway Map and timetable from the Official Guide of the Railways, Nov. 1906. Thanks to Mike Rivest for the scans.
  • IRT Subway: Interborough Rapid Transit Company Subway and Elevated Lines (Official Guide of the Railways, 1906), Manhattan South
  • IRT Subway: Interborough Rapid Transit Company Subway and Elevated Lines (Official Guide of the Railways, 1906), Manhattan North & Bronx
  • IRT Subway: Interborough Rapid Transit Company Subway and Elevated Lines (Official Guide of the Railways, 1906), Station Locations & Time Table

1910-1920

• A 1912 BMT map shows BMT service prior to the Dual Contracts expansion.
  • BRT Rapid Transit Prior to its Extension Under the Dual Subway Contracts (1912) (PDF)
  • BRT Rapid Transit Prior to its Extension Under the Dual Subway Contracts (1912)

• August, 1919 map of the Borough of Brooklyn, NY and vicinity, showing that part of the Brooklyn Rapid Transit System "over which elevated trains are operated" and "over which surface trolley cars are operated". From the collection of UC Berkeley, thanks to Tim Zukas for sending them.
  • Surface Lines Map (1919) (PDF)
  • Elevated Lines Map (1919) (PDF)

• A circa-1920 representation of the tracks of the elevated lines in Manhattan. Drawn by Michael Calcagno from data from the Electric Railroaders' Association.
  • IRT Elevated Lines in Manhattan and the Bronx: 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 9th Aves. (1920)

• Joe Brennan has put together two maps detailing the construction of the joint IRT/BMT subway in Brooklyn, circa 1920. Note, these are large images. The first map depicts the tunnel sections of the Contract 2 portion and the Fulton Street and Flatbush Avenue subway. The second map shows the Dual Contracts joint BMT/IRT line under Flatbush Avenue and the Eastern Parkway Subway.
  • IRT Subway: The Brooklyn IRT, Contract 2 Construction
  • IRT Subway: The Brooklyn IRT, Dual Contracts Construction

1920-1940

• 1924 BMT subway-elevated route map. Note that the Canarsie line is incomplete from Montrose to East New York, but the extension to Canarsie (past Rockaway Parkway) is in service. The 4th Avenue (Brooklyn) and Nassau St. (Manhattan) subways are not yet complete. BMT sharing Flushing line service to its terminal at Alburtis Avenue.
  • BMT Subway-Elevated Route Map (Color) (1924)
  • BMT Subway-Elevated Route Map (B/W) (1924) (PDF)
  • BMT Subway-Elevated Route Map (B/W) (1924) (JPG)

• 1931 BMT subway-elevated route map. Canarsie, Flushing, Nassau, and 4th Avenue lines complete. All of the Els still operating.
  • BMT Subway-Elevated Route Map (B/W) (1931) (PDF)
  • BMT Subway-Elevated Route Map (B/W) (1931) (JPG)

• 1933 BMT subway-elevated route map. Not too many changes. Map dated by presence of Radio City Music Hall, which opened in December 1932.
  • BMT Subway-Elevated Route Map (B/W) (1933) (PDF)
  • BMT Subway-Elevated Route Map (B/W) (1933) (JPG)

• 1936 Hagstrom system map. Scan courtesy Tim Zukas.
  • Hagstrom System Map (1936) (JPG) (large, 5000x8300)

• 1937 IRT "Routes of the Interborough Rapid Transit Company" and "Distance and Running Time Between Stations". Scan courtesy Tim Zukas.
  • Routes of the Interborough Rapid Transit Company (1937) (Front) (JPG)
  • Distance and Running Time Between Stations (1937) (Rear) (JPG)

• IND map from 1937 showing the IND World's Fair line, the completion of the "GG" crosstown, and the "HH" Court Street shuttle. The Fulton line was complete to Rockaway Ave.; no sign yet of the 6th Avenue trunk line.
  • IND (Independent Subway) 1937 Route Map (1937) (PDF)
  • IND (Independent Subway) Route Map (1937) (JPG)

• This 1939 IRT map shows the extensive network of IRT subway and elevated lines: East Side and West Side subways, 2nd, 3rd, 6th, and 9th Avenue Elevated lines, and the Flushing Line. Scan thanks to Richard Ondrovic.
  • IRT Subway and Elevated Route Map (Small) (1939)
  • IRT Subway and Elevated Route Map (Large) (1939)

• The 1939 IND map shows the 8th Avenue and Houston Street subways (the 6th Avenue yet to be completed), Fulton Street to Rockaway Avenue, the 9th St. subway in Brooklyn to Church Avenue, Queens Blvd. to Roosevelt Avenue, and Crosstown between Queens Plaza and Nassau Ave. Scan thanks to Richard Ondrovic.
  • IND (Independent Subway) Route Map (Small) (1939)
  • IND (Independent Subway) Route Map (Large) (1939)

• The 1939 BMT map shows the joint IRT/BMT Queens service, the Myrtle El, the Lexington El, Fulton El, 3rd and 5th Avenue El (all in Brooklyn), Brooklyn Bridge service to Park Row, and the longer Canarsie line. Scan thanks to Richard Ondrovic.
  • BMT Route Map (Small) (1939)
  • BMT Route Map (Large) (1939)

• 1939 BMT World's Fair special map which has photographs of other points of interest in NYC surrounding a map of the BMT elevated and subway lines. Courtesy Joe Korman.
  • BMT 1939 World's Fair Special Route Map, Cover (1939)
  • BMT 1939 World's Fair Special Route Map, Map and Places of Interest (1939)
  • BMT 1939 World's Fair Special Route Map, Service Guide, page 1 (1939)
  • BMT 1939 World's Fair Special Route Map, Service Guide, page 2 (1939)

• 1939 system map (George J Nostrand/Seaman's Bank for Savings publisher, in the Hagstrom map style) shows the New York rapid transit system at nearly its most extensive configuration. Only the 6th Avenue el has been removed from service; the Brooklyn els are all still present, the IND lines completed (except for the Fulton past Rockaway Ave), and depicts Brooklyn Bridge train service and the 1939 World's Fair subway line. Note the errors depicting South Ferry and on the northern end of the Myrtle Ave el (it depicts the Myrtle tying into the Canarsie line not the Broadway line). This map also shows the BMT/IND connections at Church-Ditmas, and Queens Plaza, which, although proposed in 1940 didn't open until 1954. Thanks to Henry Kuck for the scan.
  • Subway and Elevated Combined System Route Map (1939)

• A 1930s-era map showing BMT Brooklyn and Queens Surface trolley lines. Thanks to Joe Korman for the scan.
  • Brooklyn & Queens Transit (B&QT) Trolley Map (1920-1930s)

• 1940 BMT subway-elevated route map. Fulton El closed between Sands St. and Rockaway Avenue, replaced by free transfer to the IND Subway (which is not shown on the map). 3rd and 5th Avenue els also removed.
  • BMT Subway-Elevated Map (B/W) (1940) (PDF)
  • BMT Subway-Elevated Map (B/W) (1940) (JPG)

• 1940 SIRT track map from the B&O era. "Diagram showing location of sectionalizing switches." From the 1940 SIRT Employee Timetable, 10/15/1940. Thanks to Tim Zukas for the scans.
  • SIRT Track Map (1940) (PNG)
  • SIRT Employee Timetable (1940)

1940-1960

• BMT route map from around 1942-1948. This map shows the BMT going to both Astoria and Flushing. The map also shows the Lexington Avenue El (stopped running 1950) and the Culver Line to Coney Island (stopped 1954). The date of the map may be as early as 1942, as the trolley from Rockaway Pkwy. to Jamaica Bay is still shown.
  • BMT Route Map (1940s)

• A 1948 system map, including route information for the three divisions. Joint IRT/BMT service to Astoria and Flushing is shown; 3rd Avenue El service in Manhattan still extends to South Ferry; the Fulton (showing thru service via Broadway and Lexington), Myrtle and Lexington Ave. Els in Brooklyn; Worth, 18th, 91st St. stations are still open on the Contract I IRT; Canarsie Trolley transfer. Thanks to Joe Korman for the scan.
  • Subway System Route Map (Large) (1948)
  • Subway System Route Map (Small) (1948)
  • Subway System Route Map, Route Information (1948)

• A 1940s-era track map of the SIRT system, showing the now-abandoned North Shore line. Drawn and contributed by Michael Calcagno.
  • SIRT (Staten Island Rapid Transit) Track Map (1949)

• 1951 map printed by New York Telephone shows the three competing systems (IND, IRT, BMT) in different colors, plus the unimproved elevated lines. Depicted are the 3rd Avenue El as far south as City Hall in Manhattan and the Bronx; Myrtle El and Fulton Avenue El (from Rockaway Ave. to Lefferts via Atlantic Ave.) (Lexington Ave. El is gone) in Brooklyn, Culver Shuttle line, Nassau loop service, and the Polo Grounds shuttle in the Bronx. Worth and 18th Sts. have closed. Thanks to Richard Ondrovic for the scan.
  • 1951 Route Map (Top Half - Bronx, Queens, upper Manhattan)
  • 1951 Route Map (Bottom Half - Brooklyn, lower Manhattan)
  • 1951 Route Map (Back Side - New York Telephone)

• A track map of the Manhattan Third Avenue Elevated just prior to its demolition in 1955. Drawn and contributed by Michael Calcagno.
  • 1955 Third Avenue Elevated, Manhattan

• Port Authority of New York Harbor Terminals Map, 1956. Doesn't show any subway lines but includes all of the regional NJ and NY railroad lines and their terminals and stations. Thanks to Tim Zukas for the scan.
  • New York Harbor Terminals (1956) (Large)

• 1959 system map, including route information for the three divisions. One of the first in the "new" schematic style. This map shows the 3rd Ave. El cut back to Bronx service only; the abandonment of the Bronx Park spurs of the 3rd Ave. and White Plains Road lines; the abandonment of the Polo Grounds shuttle; Culver Shuttle service is shown has having thru service from the 4th Ave. Subway to Ditmas; and service to the Rockaways (which started in 1956) is present with a "15c extra fare" notation. Thanks to Joe Korman for the scan.
  • 1959 System Map (Large)
  • 1959 System Map (Small)
  • 1959 System Map (Route Information)

1960-1970

• The 1964 World's Fair map, with the "Blue Arrow" motif, shows the Third Avenue elevated in the Bronx, the Myrtle Avenue elevated to Jay Street, Brooklyn, the Culver Shuttle, and Nassau Street loop service. This is a scan of the actual map, very high resolution 24-bit color.
  • 1964 System Map (Large)
  • 1964 System Map (Small)
  • 1964 System Map (Front Cover)
  • 1964 System Map (Back Cover)
  • 1964 System Map (Arrow Crop)

• A 1966 system map, including route information for the three divisions. Similar to the schematic style of the 1959 map but with a lot more color. Very similar routes to the 1964 map. The Rockaway fare has gone up to 20 cents. Thanks to Joe Korman for the scan.
  • 1966 System Map (Large)
  • 1966 System Map (Small)
  • 1966 System Map (Route Information)

• The first in a new style, the 1967 map shows each line in its own color, and the Third Avenue (8), Myrtle Avenue (MJ), and Culver Shuttle (SS) lines are still running. The Chrystie Street Connection has just opened changing Manhattan Bridge service patterns, notably disconnection of the old Nassau Loop service. This map image is hand-redrawn by Michael Calcagno, patterned after the original map.
  • 1967 System Map

• A scan of the November, 1967 "New Subway Routes" map showing the combined IND and BMT Chrystie Street services. New scans thanks to Tim Zukas.
  • 1967 Chrystie Street "New Subway Routes"
  • 1967 Chrystie Street Strip Maps

• This "pop up"-style foldout map was produced for the Irving Trust Bank (Nestor's Map and guide Corp) and dated July 1968, showing: Double letter locals (RR, RJ, JJ, QJ, TT, QB, MJ, etc.), Chrystie Street service; express "F" service in Brooklyn, etc. The Bronx was depicted in three sections: north of Tremont Avenue was on the back side of the map in two halves, the three sections were pieced back together for this scan.
  • 1968 System Map

• The 1968 map shows shows the new KK service from 57th/6th to Broadway-East New York via the Chrystie Street Connection. Hand-redrawn by Michael Calcagno, patterned after the original map. Compare to the photo of the real map contributed by Chris Slaight.
  • 1968 System Map
  • 1968 Map - Photo (Top)
  • 1968 Map - Photo (Bottom)

• The 1969 map shows the discontinuance of the Myrtle Avenue (MJ) service between Jay and Broadway. Hand-redrawn by Michael Calcagno, patterned after the original map.
  • 1969 System Map

• This 1969 map of the Myrtle Avenue (MJ) depicts the line just prior to its abandonment and demolition between Jay Street and Broadway. Hand-redrawn by Michael Calcagno, patterned after the original map.
  • 1969 Myrtle Avenue El Track Map

1970-1980

• Scan of a map from 1972, courtesy Henry Szablicki and Brian Hilley.
  • 1972 System Map

• This map from 1973 depicts the track work of the IRT #8 line - the Third Avenue Elevated in the Bronx - just before its abandonment and demolition. Hand drawn by Michael Calcagno.
  • 1973 Third Avenue El - Bronx

• This map from 1974 shows each line in its own color. The Third Avenue, Myrtle Avenue, and Culver Shuttle lines are no longer in service. Hand drawn by Michael Calcagno.
  • 1974 System Map

• Hand-drawn map depicting MTA commuter rail service in 1974.
  • 1974 NYC Commuter Rail Overview

• The Culver Shuttle tracks prior to its abandonment in 1975. Map by Michael Calcagno.
  • 1975 Culver Shuttle

• The 1978 map also shows each line in its own color. Major changes: elimination of the K train and the elimination of the 5, 6 and SS service from South Ferry; C and E terminal switch. Hand drawn by Michael Calcagno.
  • 1978 System Map

• BMT track map. Exact date uncertain but after 10/1977 and before 4/1985 based on the cutback of the Jamaica El to Queens Blvd in October 1977; Queens Blvd. itself closed in 4/1985. The Culver shuttle line is shown but service on it terminated 1975.
  • BMT Track Map - Eastern Division
  • BMT Track Map - Southern Division

1980-Present

• 1987 service map based on Michael Calcagno's current map, updated by Dante D. Angerville.
  • 1987 Daytime Service
  • 1987 Late Night Service

• Michael Calcagno drew these three schematic track maps showing the trackage of the IRT, BMT, and IND divisions, circa 1996.
  • BMT Division
  • IND Division
  • IRT Division

• A series of time-based route maps by Michael Calcagno depicting the various service patterns at different times of the day (Summer 1997).
  • 1997 Summer Rush Hour Service
  • 1997 Summer Mid-day Service
  • 1997 Summer Evening Service
  • 1997 Summer Late Night Service
  • 1997 Summer Weekend Daytime Service

• A series of time-based route maps by Michael Calcagno depicting the various service patterns at different times of the day (Summer 1999).
  • 1999 Summer Rush Hour Service
  • 1999 Summer Mid-day Service
  • 1999 Summer Evening Service
  • 1999 Summer Late Night Service
  • 1999 Summer Weekend Daytime Service

• Various past updates to Michael Calcagno's custom route maps.
  • 11/27/1995
  • 8/17/1996
  • 8/1/1998
  • 5/22/1999
  • 1/25/2000
  • 2/14/2000
  • 7/22/2001
  • 9/17/2001
  • 9/19/2001
  • 9/21/2001
  • 10/5/2001
  • 10/28/2001
  • 11/5/2001
  • 12/16/2001
  • 1/28/2002
  • 9/8/2002
  • 9/15/2002
  • 2/22/2004
  • 5/23/2004
  • 1/24/2005
  • 2/2/2005
  • 2/14/2005
  • 5/29/2005
  • 6/28/2010
  • 9/13/2015
  • 1/1/2017
  • 2/1/2019

• Robert Sklar contributes this homemade 2009 service diagram based on the 1959 schematic style.
  • 2009 Route Map in the style of the 1959 Schematic

• Robert Sklar contributes this homemade 2010 service diagram based on the 1959 schematic style. (Services as of June 27, 2010)
  • 2010 Route Map in the style of the 1959 Schematic

• Here is a custom-designed route map by Wikimedia user "SPUI". It predates the opening of the Second Avenue Subway in 2017. The creator hereby releases this map into the public domain and grants a license to use this image for any purpose.
  • Large
  • Small

Single Line Diagrams

Various "single line diagrams". These are in JPG format typically scanned from photocopied reductions of the large diagrams and are thus, not the best quality. Dates vary. (See: How to read a single line diagram)

• 6th Ave. IND: 2nd Avenue/Broadway-Lafayette
• 6th Ave. IND: West 4th Street
• 6th Ave. IND: 34th St. to 47th-50th St.
• 7th Avenue IRT: Penn Station to Times Square
• Brighton BMT: Prospect Park to Church Ave
• Broadway BMT: Prince, Canal, City Hall
• Canarsie BMT: 8th Ave. to 1st Ave.
• Canarsie BMT: Atlantic Ave. to Sutter
• Canarsie BMT: Rockaway Parkway
• Franklin Shuttle: Franklin Shuttle
• Fulton IND: Hoyt St. to Court St.
• Nassau/Jamaica BMT: Broad to Fulton
• Nassau/Jamaica BMT: Chambers
• Nassau/Jamaica BMT: Bowery to Essex
• Nassau/Jamaica BMT: Broadway Junction
• Nassau/Jamaica BMT: 160th to 168th
• Myrtle BMT: Central and Knickerbocker
• Myrtle BMT: Seneca to Metropolitan
• East Side/Pelham IRT: Grand Central
• East Side/Pelham IRT: Middletown to Pelham Bay Park
• Yards: 207th Street
• Yards: 36th Street
• Yards: East New York

Yard Maps

• 207th Street Yard (PDF)
• 239th Street Yard (Small)
• 239th Street Yard (Large)
• 36th Street Yard (PDF)
• Canarsie (Rockaway Parkway) Yard (PDF)
• Concourse Yard (Small)
• Concourse Yard (Large)
• Coney Island/Ave. X Yard
• Coney Island/Stillwell Yard
• East 180th Street Yard (Small)
• East 180th Street Yard (Large)
• East 180th Street/Unionport Yard
• East New York Yard (PDF)
• East New York Yard Leads (PDF)
• Fresh Pond Yard (Small)
• Fresh Pond Yard (Large)
• Jamaica Yard (Small)
• Jamaica Yard (Large)
• Lenox Yard
• Rockaway Park Yard (Small)
• Rockaway Park Yard (Large)
• Westchester Yard (Small)
• Westchester Yard (Large)

Bus Maps

• Undated Brooklyn trackless trolley wire map. Courtesy Sanford Gardner.
  • Brooklyn Trackless Trolley Map

• A circa-1940 New York City Omnibus Corp motor coach route map. Courtsey Hank Eisenstein.
  • Part 1: Hotels, government buildings, schools, and churches; closeup map of the theater district
  • Part 2: Stores, bus terminals, hospitals, interesting views, fares, transfers, etc
  • Part 3: Full Map

• 1969 Brooklyn & Staten Island Bus Map. Courtesy Hank Eisenstein.
  • Part 1
  • Part 2
  • Part 3
  • Part 4

• 1974 Culture Bus Loop Guide. Courtesy Hank Eisenstein.
  • Part 1: List of Stops and Attractions
  • Part 2: Detail of Loop Route

• 1974 Manhattan Bus Guide. Courtesy Hank Eisenstein.
  • Part 1: The Whole Map
  • Part 2: 68th to 96th Sts., Inwood, Fort George & Harlem River
  • Part 3: 96th St. to Ft. George
  • Part 4: Battery to 68th St.

• 1976 Manhattan Bus Guide. Courtesy Hank Eisenstein.
  • Part 1: Inwood and Upper East Side Detail
  • Part 2: 72nd thru 95th Sts.
  • Part 3: 145th thru 193rd Sts.
  • Part 4 14th thru 66th Sts.
  • Part 5: Battery thru 12th Sts.
  • Part 6: 96th thru 145th Sts.

New York City Subway Maps Current Map Route Map by Michael Calcagno Track Maps Track Maps Historical Maps Historical Maps