Photo Almanac: They didn’t call it the New York City Subway at first. When the city’s first underground rapid transit system opened on Oct. 27, 1904, it was called the Interborough Rapid Transit. - Facebook

The city’s first underground rapid transit system launched under a different name when it opened in 1904, originally called the Interborough Rapid Transit rather than the New York City Subway. The distinction reflects how early infrastructure projects were branded before becoming part of the familiar urban transit network. A historical photo collection highlights the evolution of the system’s identity and early operations. The images offer a glimpse into the engineering and public life of a transportation milestone.

Photo Almanac: They didn’t call it the New York City Subway at first. When the city’s first underground rapid transit system opened on Oct. 27, 1904, it was called the Interborough Rapid Transit.  Facebook