View source for Halsey Street station (BMT Canarsie Line)

{{Short description|New York City Subway station}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox NYCS
| name = Halsey Street
| image = Halsey St EB plat 2020 jeh.jpg
| image_caption = Southbound platform
| address = Halsey Street &amp; Wyckoff Avenue<br>Queens, New York
| borough = On the border of [[Queens]] and [[Brooklyn]] (mostly in Queens)
| locale = [[Ridgewood, Queens]] and [[Bushwick, Brooklyn]]
| coordinates = {{coord|40.696095|N|73.905029|W|type:railwaystation_region:US-NY|display=inline,title}}
| division = BMT
| line = [[BMT Canarsie Line]]
| service = Canarsie
| connection =  {{bus icon}} [[NYCT Bus]]: {{NYC bus link|B26}}
| platforms = 2 [[side platform]]s
| tracks = 2
| structure = Underground
| open_date = {{start date and age|1928|July|14|mf=yes}}
| adjacent_stations = {{Adjacent stations|system=New York City Subway
|line=Canarsie|left=Myrtle–Wyckoff Avenues|right=Wilson Avenue}}
| legend = {{NYCS infobox legend|alltimes}}
| layout = {{NYCS 2-tracked side platform station|inline=y
|dir=NE
|1=Myrtle–Wyckoff Avenues
|2=Wilson Avenue
|3r=yes
}}
}}
The '''Halsey Street station''' is a [[metro station|station]] on the [[BMT Canarsie Line]] of the [[New York City Subway]]. Located on the border of [[Ridgewood, Queens]], and [[Bushwick, Brooklyn]], at the intersection of Halsey Street and Wyckoff Avenue, it is served by the [[L (New York City Subway service)|L]] train at all times.
==History==
===Background===
{{stack|float=right|[[File:Halsey BMT tile jeh.JPG|thumb|200px|Mosaic name tablet]]}}
The Dual Contracts also called for a subway line initially known as the '''14th Street–Eastern District Line''', usually shortened to '''14th Street–Eastern Line.''' The line would run beneath 14th Street in Manhattan, from [[Sixth Avenue (Manhattan)|Sixth Avenue]] under the East River and through Williamsburg to [[Montrose Avenue station|Montrose and Bushwick Avenues]] in Brooklyn.<ref>{{Cite news|date=April 26, 1914|title=Official Map of Dual Subway Showing Lines and Stations|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1914/04/26/archives/official-map-of-dual-subway-showing-lines-and-stations.html|access-date=June 11, 2021|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> [[Booth and Flinn]] was awarded the contract to construct the line on January 13, 1916.<ref>{{cite news |title=East River Tunnel Contract Awarded |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1916/01/14/archives/east-river-tunnel-contract-awarded-booth-flinn-who-will-do-the-work.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=January 14, 1916 |access-date=February 28, 2010}}</ref> [[Clifford Milburn Holland]] served as the engineer-in-charge during the construction.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Digger Clifford Holland |first=Michael |last=Aronson |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/1999/06/15/1999-06-15_the_digger_clifford_holland.html |newspaper=Daily News |location=New York |date=June 15, 1999 |access-date=July 2, 2010}}</ref>
Due to the city's failure to approve the section of the line between Montrose Avenue and East New York, the 14th Street/Eastern Line was initially isolated from the rest of the system. In 1924, a temporary connection was built from the [[Long Island Rail Road]] (LIRR)'s [[Bushwick (LIRR station)|Bushwick Yard]] that ran via Montrose Avenue and then connected to the 14th Street/Eastern Line under Bushwick Avenue just near the Montrose Avenue station. This was done to allow the delivery of [[BMT Standard]] subway cars. The first of the cars were delivered by this ramp on June 20, 1924.<ref>{{Cite news|date=June 21, 1924|title=Installing Cars in 14th St. E. D. Subway|pages=1|work=The Chat|location=Brooklyn|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79371775/installing-cars-in-14th-st-e-d-subway/|access-date=June 11, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> On June 30, 1924, the section between Sixth Avenue in Manhattan and Montrose Avenue in Brooklyn opened.<ref>{{cite news|date=August 8, 1919|title=Subway Tunnel Through|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1919/08/08/archives/subway-tunnel-through-passage-under-east-river-in-east-14th-street.html|access-date=February 28, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=July 1, 1924|title=Celebrate Opening of Subway Link|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1924/07/01/archives/celebrate-opening-of-subway-link-civic-and-city-officials-ride-in.html|access-date=February 13, 2010}}</ref>
===Construction and opening===
For the extension of the 14th Street/Eastern Line from Montrose Avenue to East New York, the [[New York City Board of Estimate]] had initially given its consent to an elevated line over the [[Evergreen Branch]] of the LIRR. The Board of Estimate subsequently refused to allow a construction contract for the elevated line, while the BRT did not want to build an underground line.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|date=October 29, 1922|title=Long Delayed E. D. Transit Relief Move Announced|pages=9, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79373649/eastern-district/ 11]|work=The Standard Union|location=Brooklyn|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79373580/long-delayed-e-d-transit-relief-move/|access-date=June 11, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The extension was changed to an underground alignment following opposition from industries on the Evergreen Branch. In July 1924, the [[New York City Board of Transportation]] (BOT) approved a modified route for recommendation to the Board of Estimate. The route would be wholly underground and consist of three tracks. From Montrose Avenue, it would curve east under McKibbin Street, private property, and Harrison Place. Past Varick Avenue, it would turn southeast to [[Wyckoff Avenue]], underneath which it would run to Eldert Street. This plan was to cost $8 million.<ref>{{Cite news|date=July 16, 1924|title=New Link Approved by Subway Board; Extension of Eastern District Line Corresponds to Mayor's Program|language=en-US|page=19|work=The New York Times|url=http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1924/07/16/104258600.pdf|access-date=June 11, 2021|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
In September 1924, the BOT approved the remaining section of the route between Eldert Street and Broadway Junction in East New York. East of Eldert Street, the route would turn south to a ground-level alignment parallel to the LIRR's [[Bay Ridge Branch]], then run southeast in a tunnel underneath private property to the intersection of Eastern Parkway and Bushwick Avenue, where it would emerge onto a ramp leading to the existing Canarsie elevated.<ref>{{Cite news|date=September 24, 1924|title=Fix Rest of Route of 14th St. Subway; Transportation Board Agrees on Line to the Elevated at Broadway, Brooklyn.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1924/09/24/archives/fix-rest-of-route-of-14th-st-subway-transportation-board-agrees-on.html|access-date=June 11, 2021|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> An ornamental viaduct over Bushwick Avenue and Eastern Parkway was removed from the original plans due to opposition from property owners.<ref>{{Cite news|date=August 9, 1924|title=Viaduct Plan for Tube Vigorously Denounced|pages=29|work=The Chat|location=Brooklyn|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79375289/viaduct-plan-for-tube-vigorously/|access-date=June 11, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
Three contracts for the construction of the extension were awarded in December at a total cost of $9,531,204. The section from Montrose Avenue to Varick Avenue was awarded to the Underpinning and Foundation Company, while the section from Varick Avenue to Bleecker Street and from Bleecker Street to Halsey Street went to the Oakdale Contracting Company.<ref>{{Cite news|date=November 12, 1924|title=3 Contracts Awarded for 14th St. Subway; Aggregate $9,531,204 and Call for Operation of Trains Within Twenty-eight Months.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1924/11/12/archives/3-contracts-awarded-for-14th-st-subway-aggregate-9531204-and-call.html|access-date=June 11, 2021|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
On July 14, 1928, the line was extended further east beneath Wyckoff Avenue and then south paralleling the Bay Ridge Branch to a new station at [[Broadway Junction (BMT Canarsie Line)|Broadway Junction]], above the existing station on the [[Broadway Elevated]] (Jamaica Line). At this time, it was connected to the already-operating elevated line to [[Canarsie–Rockaway Parkway (BMT Canarsie Line)|Canarsie]]. The Halsey Street station opened as part of this extension.<ref>{{cite news|title=Last Link of New 14th St-E.D. Subway To Be Opened Today: First Train This Afternoon Will Carry Officials – Citizens to Celebrate|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/59894184/?terms=subway+opening|access-date=August 25, 2015|via=Newspapers.com|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|date=July 14, 1928}}</ref><ref name=":10">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1928/07/15/archives/celebrate-opening-of-new-b-m-t-line-officials-and-civic-association.html|title=CELEBRATE OPENING OF NEW B. M. T. LINE; Officials and Civic Association Members Fill First Train From Union Square. MET BY BAND AT CANARSIE Crowds Cheer Passing Cars at Stations Along New Route to Jamaica Bay.|date=July 15, 1928|work=The New York Times|access-date=January 1, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=July 15, 1928|title=Districts Unite To Hail Opening Of Subway Link: Delegations All Way to Canarsie Welcome First Train, That Is Flag-Draped Many Officials on Board Lockwood in Speech Promises Better Connections|page=17|work=New York Herald Tribune|id={{ProQuest|1113768361}}}}</ref>
==Station layout==
[[File:Halsey St vc.jpg|thumb|Station mosaics]]
{{NYCS Platform Layout BMT Canarsie Line}}
This station has two tracks and two [[side platform]]s. Since all intersections on this section of Wyckoff Avenue are T-intersections, the platforms are offset, with the Manhattan-bound platform built about {{convert|60|ft|m}} further to the east than the Canarsie-bound one.<ref name=NYCS>{{cite web|url=http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/stations?203:3206|title=www.nycsubway.org}}</ref> Also, since the Brooklyn-Queens border travels on Wyckoff Avenue for part of the length of this station before turning south, the entire Manhattan-bound platform, as well as the eastern half of the Canarsie-bound platform, is located in Queens.
Both platforms have their original mosaic tile band that is colored blue and green with yellowish accents.<ref name=NYCS /> "H" tablets on blue background run along the tile bands at regular intervals.<ref name=NYCS /> The name tablets read "HALSEY ST." in gold serif font on a blue background and a green, yellow, and blue border.<ref name=NYCS /> There are also directional signs in gold serif font and outline on a blue background.<ref name=NYCS /> One of the platforms formerly had two bathrooms. Yellow i-beam columns run along both platforms at regular intervals with alternating ones having the standard black station name plate in white lettering.<ref name=NYCS />
===Exits===
[[File:Halsey St BMT jeh.JPG|thumb|Eastbound street stair]]
All [[fare control]] areas at this station are platform level and there are no crossovers or crossunders. The full-time side is at the west ([[Railroad directions|railroad north]]) end of the platforms. On the Manhattan-bound side, a [[turnstile]] bank leads to the full-time token booth and one staircase going up to the northwest corner of Wyckoff Avenue and George Street. On the Canarsie-bound side, a turnstile bank leads to a part-time customer assistance booth and one staircase going up to the southwest corner of Halsey Street and Wyckoff Avenue.<ref name=maps>{{cite web|title=MTA Neighborhood Maps: Ocean Hill|url=http://web.mta.info/maps/neighborhoods/bkn/B6%20Ocean_Hill_2015.pdf|website=[[Metropolitan Transportation Authority|mta.info]]|publisher=[[Metropolitan Transportation Authority]]|access-date=July 20, 2016|date=2015}}</ref>
Both platforms have an unstaffed fare control area at their east (railroad south) end. A set of [[HEET turnstile|full height turnstiles]] leads to a single street stair. The Manhattan-bound staircase goes up to the northeast corner of Norman Street and Wyckoff Avenue while the Canarsie-bound staircase goes up to the southwest corner of Covert Street and Wyckoff Avenue.<ref name=maps/>
==Incidents==
This station was the site of a 1988 arson that killed a token booth clerk, 39-year-old Mona Pierre. Robbers squirted accelerant into the booth on the platform and set the fumes alight with a match, destroying the booth and killing the clerk.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/06/05/nyregion/subway-token-clerk-dies-after-booth-was-set-afire.html| work=The New York Times | title=Subway Token Clerk Dies After Booth Was Set Afire | first=Don | last=Terry | date=June 5, 1988 | access-date=December 18, 2021}}</ref> This incident inspired a robbery scene in the 1995 film ''[[Money Train]]''.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}
{{Clear|left}}
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
== External links ==
{{Commons category|Halsey Street (BMT Canarsie Line)}}
* {{NYCS ref|http://www.nycsubway.org/wiki/BMT_Canarsie_Line#Halsey_Street|BMT Canarsie|Halsey Street}}
* Station Reporter — {{cite web|url=http://www.stationreporter.net/ltrain.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130630222246/http://www.stationreporter.net/ltrain.htm|title=L Train|archive-date=June 30, 2013|work=stationreporter.net}}
* The Subway Nut — [http://www.subwaynut.com/bmt/halseyl/index.php Halsey Street Pictures].
* [https://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=40.696152,-73.905094&spn=0,0.013314&z=17&layer=c&cbll=40.696216,-73.905187&panoid=3y8bRQQtkLkc2F2lxfQqnA&cbp=12,198.54,,0,2.14 Halsey Street entrance from Google Maps Street View]
* [https://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=40.696193,-73.905147&spn=0,0.013314&z=17&layer=c&cbll=40.69594,-73.904693&panoid=thRM2ryuNdCj2F5ZlYAW0w&cbp=12,18.11,,0,2.79 George Street entrance from Google Maps Street View]
* [https://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=40.695591,-73.903259&spn=0,0.013314&z=17&layer=c&cbll=40.695298,-73.903546&panoid=FAvOVmNpwDB46REL3ry13g&cbp=12,221.14,,0,2.32 Covert Street entrance from Google Maps Street View]
* [https://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=40.695176,-73.903302&spn=0,0.013314&z=17&layer=c&cbll=40.695194,-73.903143&panoid=D1_T9vYkvcIahsrh11fEXA&cbp=12,92.99,,0,7.76 Norman Street entrance from Google Maps Street View]
* [https://www.google.com/maps/@40.6957202,-73.9041492,3a,75y,107.7h,89.53t/data=!3m8!1e1!3m6!1s-KR57ZddDQ34%2FV52MuQU1qYI%2FAAAAAAAAOLE%2FAbx5jM3MCpA8ivsVsxOc7LcEp_eifVa-ACLIB!2e4!3e11!6s%2F%2Flh4.googleusercontent.com%2F-KR57ZddDQ34%2FV52MuQU1qYI%2FAAAAAAAAOLE%2FAbx5jM3MCpA8ivsVsxOc7LcEp_eifVa-ACLIB%2Fw203-h100-p-k-no%2F!7i9728!8i4864!4m3!8m2!3m1!1e1!6m1!1e1 Platforms from Google Maps Street View]
{{NYCS stations navbox by service|ll=y}}
{{NYCS stations navbox by line|canarsie=yes}}
[[Category:BMT Canarsie Line stations]]
[[Category:New York City Subway stations in Brooklyn]]
[[Category:New York City Subway stations in Queens, New York]]
[[Category:Railway stations in the United States opened in 1928]]
[[Category:1928 establishments in New York City]]
[[Category:Bushwick, Brooklyn]]
[[Category:Ridgewood, Queens]]