An afternoon spent underground and back in time.

The success of any major city lies within its ability to constantly evolve, striking a balance between maximizing the potential of its current inhabitants while still attracting new talent for future gains. New York City has (arguably) done this better than any other American city. Once a port for both goods and tired souls, the city evolved into what it is today due to a combination of reasons - among them textiles, the arts, sweat shops, the Great Migration, corporate finance, day laborers, engineering innovation, Babe Ruth, architecture and - more recently - luxury condos, junk bonds, and celebrity chefs. This constant forward movement can sometimes make the fact that New York changes every day more than accepted; it makes it easy to forget once was. But every once in a while the opportunity strikes for the past to not only be remembered, but explored as well.

Based on the recommendation from a friend (thank you!) my dad and I crawled down an open man hole cover in the middle of a Brooklyn intersection and explored the world's oldest subway line. The monthly tours are organized by Bob Valentine and the Brooklyn Historic Railway Association; Bob discovered the tunnel in 1980 and has since dedicated his life to the preservation of the tunnel and education of local residents. Bob took the tour group (of close to 100) through the tunnel's history, both physically and through his extensive story telling. I encourage you to read more about the tunnel (here, here, and here) if you're interested. This is a must-do for anyone who appreciates the engineering marvel that is the current subway system. (Note - the tour costs $15 a person and no, your unlimited MTA pass will not swipe).

On a side note, no alligators were discovered along the way.

More pictures:

A look down the tunnel:


Old lock:



Air shaft (for ventilation):