Vintage Photos of the Subway System Under Construction From 1901 Through 1931

A demonstration for an underground transit system in New York City was first built by Alfred Ely Beach in 1869, with a 312 foot run under Broadway in Lower Manhattan (this was later demolished when the BMT Broadway Line was built in the 1910s).

The first underground line of the subway opened in October of 1904, though the first elevated line opened 35 years prior. Scroll down for a look at the underground subway system being constructed, from Delancey Street to the Bronx, from 1901 through 1931—and here's what a ride through the tunnels looked like back in 1905.

Subway Construction: 14th Street & 4th Avenue Pillars and tracks; stairs down to platform. October 1903.

Excavation for Essex Street Station, open pit, horse team. December 13, 1906.

Opening for subway Delancey Street west.

Subway Construction: 4th Avenue & 15th Street, looking north from street into sunlit lower level. September 1901.

Independent Subway Construction: 175th to 183rd Street under Grand Concourse, Bronx.1928-1931

Subway tunnel under construction: laborers look at camera." No date given.

Subway Construction: Park Row and City Hall Park, from street level. Church with Ionic columns at right. November 1902.

Independent Subway Construction: Interior of above structure. Workers and cranes. January 1931.

Subway Construction: 8th Avenue and 52nd Street. May 1927.

Subway Construction: Broadway & 42nd Street, below ground seen from street. February 1903.

Independent Subway Construction, 173rd to 177th Street under Broadway. Workers in tunnel in background. April 1928.

Subway Construction: North tube, looking East. Circular tunnel with chains running across. February 1906.

Independent Subway Construction: Ground level. January 1931.

New avenue open subway station east from Norfolk Street. December 13, 1906.

(via Gothamist)