High Line: History

In 1847 rail lines started appearing on the west side streets of Manhattan. Within years so many accidents occurred that men on horses were hired to warn traffic of the approaching trains. Even with the flag men, regular accidents happened until 1929 when the City and State of New York agreed on a raised rail line, or High Line, to run above the city.

The High Line was originally constructed in the 1930s, to elevate freight trains carrying dangerous material above Manhattan's streets to the industrial district. The High Line opened in 1934. The rail line ran in the middle of the block so the trains could deliver their goods directly into the buildings.

By the 1950’s, with the growth of interstate trucking, train transport began to plummet. By the 1960’s the southernmost section was demolished, and by 1980 it officially closed. In the following years many property owners along the High Line lobbied for its demolition. However, just as many people opposed the demolition and even tried to reestablish service on the High Line.

By the end of the millennia a group by the name of Friends of the High Line advocated for the city to transform the abandoned structure into a public park. In the early years of the millennia studies were done and designs were made to reclaim the High Line. In 2004 the designers were selected. The ground breaking ceremony took place in April 2006, marking the start of construction on the first section. In 2009 section one opened to the public and section two opened two years later in 2011.

Bibliography

N/A. About High Line History. 2010. http://www.thehighline.org/sites/files/images/deathavecowboy_1.jpg?rand=355746093 (accessed June 15, 2011).

—. High Line Park Information. 2010. http://www.thehighline.org/about/park-information (accessed june 15, 2011).