High Line History, Narrated by Ethan Hawke

Summary

The Highline, a historic elevated railway in New York City, has transformed into a unique public park. Originally built in the 1930s to elevate freight trains above the dangerous streets of Manhattan’s west side, it served industries like the meatpacking district and Nabisco. After rail traffic declined, the unused structure became overgrown with plants, resembling an urban wilderness. In the late 1990s, local residents formed Friends of the Highline to save it from demolition, leading to its revival as a beautifully designed park, blending nature, history, and architecture.

Takeaways

• 🚂 The Highline was originally an elevated railway that ran through Manhattan's West Side, connecting factories and warehouses.
• 🚶‍♂️ It is now a public park known as 'New York's Park in the Sky', featuring pathways, lush plants, and scenic views.
• ⚠️ In the 1800s, trains on 10th Avenue were so dangerous that it earned the nickname 'Death Avenue'.
• 🐴 Men on horseback, known as Westside Cowboys, would ride ahead of trains waving red flags to warn pedestrians.
• 🏗️ The Highline was built in the 1930s as part of the West Side Improvement project, lifting freight trains 30 feet above the streets.
• 🍪 The Highline connected directly to buildings, carrying goods like meat to the meatpacking district and baking supplies to Nabisco (now Chelsea Market).
• 🚛 By the 1960s, trucks began replacing trains for freight transport, leading to the decline of rail traffic on the Highline.
• 🦃 The last train on the Highline ran in 1980, carrying frozen turkeys right before Thanksgiving.
• 🌿 After the train service ended, nature took over the abandoned railway, creating a wild and unusual urban ecosystem.
• 🛠️ In 1999, local residents formed the 'Friends of the Highline' group to save the structure, eventually transforming it into the park it is today.

Q & A

What is the Highline and where is it located?

The Highline is a historic elevated railway transformed into a park, located on Manhattan’s west side, running through the Meatpacking District and West Chelsea.

Why was the Highline originally built in the 1930s?

The Highline was built as part of the West Side Improvement Project to elevate trains above street level, reducing accidents and improving the transport of goods directly to factories and warehouses.

Why was 10th Avenue once known as 'Death Avenue'?

In the 1800s, 10th Avenue was known as 'Death Avenue' due to the many accidents caused by trains traveling at street level in the densely crowded area.

Who were the 'Westside Cowboys'?

The 'Westside Cowboys' were men on horseback who rode in front of trains waving red flags to warn pedestrians on 10th Avenue of oncoming trains.

How did the Highline contribute to New York’s industrial activity in its early years?

The Highline transported various goods, such as meat to the Meatpacking District and baking supplies to Nabisco, connecting factories and warehouses directly to rail services.

What led to the decline of the Highline’s usage as a railway?

Freight transport shifted to trucks with the development of the interstate highway system, reducing the demand for rail transport and causing a decline in the Highline’s usage.

When did the last train run on the Highline, and what was it carrying?

The last train ran on the Highline before Thanksgiving in 1980, carrying three boxcars filled with frozen turkeys.

What happened to the Highline after it was no longer used for rail transport?

After its closure, the Highline became abandoned and overgrown, turning into a natural green space as seeds took root and created a unique urban wilderness.

Who initiated the preservation effort for the Highline, and what organization did they form?

Robert Hammond and Joshua David, two neighborhood residents, initiated the preservation effort and formed 'Friends of the Highline' in 1999 to advocate for its transformation into a public space.

How did Friends of the Highline succeed in preserving the structure?

Friends of the Highline built a coalition of artists, architects, business owners, and civic leaders, gaining support from the city government, which led to the Highline's approval as a public park in 2005.

What was the outcome of the international design competition for the Highline’s transformation?

A design team led by Field Operations and Diller Scofidio + Renfro was chosen to create a public park from the Highline, with a focus on its unique elevated setting and integrating green space within the urban environment.