Boston experienced rapid growth in the latter part of the 19th century. A population and building boom led to increasing congestion in Boston’s streets. Streetcars added to this congestion. The above photo shows crowds and drawn street cars on Tremont Street in the early 1890s.

Tremont Street was packed even during the middle of the day. The below photograph shows Tremont Street at 3:20 p.m. on July 12, 1895.

Because Tremont Street was one of Boston’s most crowded streets, the City chose it for the location of its first subway. The subway was under construction for about two years, opening on September 1, 1897. When the subway opened, crowds gathered in the Public Garden to watch the first subway cars emerging from the subway portal.

The original subway tunnel is still in use and forms the portion of the MBTA Green line that runs from Boylston Street Station to Government Center. Have you ridden on America's first subway?