Substation 17, Historical power substation in Manhattan, US
Substation 17 is an early electric utility building that provided power to New York's first subway line. It continues to serve the transit system by managing electrical distribution and supporting maintenance operations for escalators.
The Interborough Rapid Transit Company built this facility between 1904 and 1905 as part of eight original power stations for the first subway line. It stands as evidence of New York's rapid urban infrastructure expansion in the early 1900s.
The building displays Beaux-Arts architectural details typical of early industrial New York. Walking by, you notice the ornate exterior design and solid construction that reflect the engineering confidence of that era.
The building is not open to visitors inside, but you can view it from the outside to see its distinctive early 20th-century architecture. Daytime visits work best, as natural light highlights the exterior details clearly.
The building received National Register of Historic Places recognition in 2006 and sits near the Fort George Tunnel, one of the city's deepest subway sections. This location reveals how power supply was tied to the city's most ambitious tunnel projects.
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