Brooklyn tunnel, world's oldest subway?

One of the reasons I love living in New York City is that after 10 years here, I'm still discovering new places, and I don't mean new businesses, theaters, boutiques or bars. On Halloween, we had the opportunity to go below ground and tour what we learned is the world's oldest subway.

Built in 1840 and not rediscovered until 1981, the Brooklyn tunnel runs under Atlantic Avenue in downtown Brooklyn and originally ran all the way to the port. There's currently a wall in the tunnel awaiting excavation, but for now the tour covers half a mile. Over 700 Irish immigrants built the tunnel in 7 months using the same methods the Romans used.

The tunnel is an unimproved archeological site complete with ancient mountain dew cans from its rediscovery in '81.The next tour is on November 14th. You go to Atlantic Avenue and Court Street in Brooklyn and line up beneath the clock on the Trader Joe's building.

I recommend arriving early because the line gets pretty long. Don't over dress because it's dry and warm-ish down there (not unpleasantly so, but I was expecting cold and damp and was a bit uncomfortable in a big jacket and sweater). That also shows how well the Irish built the tunnel. Contrary to rumors that poisonous gases leaked into it, as well as sewage and rain water, the tunnel was bone dry.

Do bring a camera and a flashlight. If you must bring a book bag or purse, don't fill. You enter the tunnel through a manhole int he middle of a busy traffic intersection. Each person climbs down one at a time and carrying a big heavy bag on your back makes it difficult to climb down. Plus, you're down there for about an hour and a half and any unnecessary weight is bound to be annoying.

Here's a few photos from out adventures. If you're in town, check out the Brooklyn tunnel's website for tour dates as they don't occur every week

Chain ladder used in 1981 to climb from dirt tunnel into the actual subway tunnel (15 foot drop).

 

Tunnel wall with soot :

 

back wall to be excavated:

 Ceiling hole where steam from steam engines escaped. Walls were built up to prevent passersby from being burned by the steam.

 

Stairs down from dirt passageway to the subway tunnel:

 

View walking down from the above entryway into the tunnel.

 

The Caution sign before entering subway:

Inconspicuously lining up to climb down a manhole in the middle of traffic: