At 2:35 on the afternoon of October 27, 1904, New York City Mayor George McClellan takes the controls on the inaugural run of the city’s innovative new rapid transit system: the subway.

While London boasts the world’s oldest underground train network (opened in 1863) and Boston built the first subway in the United States in 1897, the New York City subway soon became the largest American system. CLICK FOR MORE

“New York City’s Subway railroad was opened to public travel on the above date. The contract for the present Subway was awarded December 18, 1897, and work was commenced March 24, 1900. The picture opens with Mayor McClellan, City Officials, State Senators, Congressmen and railroad officials leaving the City Hall and entering the Subway station. A panoramic view of City Hall Park and surroundings, with the crowds in the background, is next shown. Then follows an interior view of the Brooklyn Bridge Station. Express and local trains are arriving and departing, including the official inspection train with President August Belmont’s private car with a party of officials and invited guests. 300 ft.”–Edison films catalog