Union Hall Street (LIRR station)
Encyclopedia
Union Hall Street was a station on the Long Island Rail Road
's Main Line at Union Hall Street at York College in Jamaica, Queens
, New York City
, United States
.
through Jamaica
to Rockaway Junction. The station was closed in 1905, but in response to complaints about the reopening of Jamaica Station on Sutphin Boulevard (primarily because downtown core of Jamaica was centered around Union Hall Street, the site of "Old Jamaica"), the LIRR opened a new one a block away at Union Hall Street in 1913, when the tracks through Jamaica were grade-separated. Union Hall Street station was built near the site of the "Old Jamaica Station," originally at ground level and eventually elevated between 1929 and 1931.
The building of the newer Jamaica Station led to commercial development around Sutphin Boulevard and the new station became the primary LIRR station in Jamaica. Eventually Union Hall Street patronage dropped due to its close proximity (about a half mile) to the Sutphin Blvd. station. Union Hall would close 1976, although in recent years a decorative wall mimicking a station house was placed over the bridge where the former Union Hall Street station used to be. Twelve years after the station closed, the transportation needs in the vicinity of Union Hall Street were compensated with the Jamaica Center – Parsons/Archer Subway Station two blocks west of the former station, although this was more accurately a replacement for the former 160th Street
elevated railroad station, rather than for the ex-Union Hall Street LIRR station.
Long Island Rail Road
The Long Island Rail Road or LIRR is a commuter rail system serving the length of Long Island, New York. It is the busiest commuter railroad in North America, serving about 81.5 million passengers each year. Established in 1834 and having operated continuously since then, it is the oldest US...
's Main Line at Union Hall Street at York College in Jamaica, Queens
Jamaica, Queens
Jamaica is a neighborhood in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York, United States. It was settled under Dutch rule in 1656 in New Netherland as Rustdorp. Under British rule, the Village of Jamaica became the center of the "Town of Jamaica"...
, New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
History
A station opened at New York Avenue (now Brewer Boulevard) on June 24, 1890, when the local Atlantic Avenue rapid transit trains were extended from Woodhaven JunctionWoodhaven Junction (LIRR station)
Woodhaven Junction was a station on the Atlantic Branch and Rockaway Beach Branch of the Long Island Rail Road. It should not be confused with the former Woodhaven Station two stops west along the Atlantic Branch.-History:...
through Jamaica
Jamaica (LIRR station)
Jamaica is a major hub station of the Long Island Rail Road, and is located in Jamaica, Queens, New York City. It is the largest transit hub on Long Island and is one of the busiest railroad stations in the country with over 200,000 daily passengers...
to Rockaway Junction. The station was closed in 1905, but in response to complaints about the reopening of Jamaica Station on Sutphin Boulevard (primarily because downtown core of Jamaica was centered around Union Hall Street, the site of "Old Jamaica"), the LIRR opened a new one a block away at Union Hall Street in 1913, when the tracks through Jamaica were grade-separated. Union Hall Street station was built near the site of the "Old Jamaica Station," originally at ground level and eventually elevated between 1929 and 1931.
The building of the newer Jamaica Station led to commercial development around Sutphin Boulevard and the new station became the primary LIRR station in Jamaica. Eventually Union Hall Street patronage dropped due to its close proximity (about a half mile) to the Sutphin Blvd. station. Union Hall would close 1976, although in recent years a decorative wall mimicking a station house was placed over the bridge where the former Union Hall Street station used to be. Twelve years after the station closed, the transportation needs in the vicinity of Union Hall Street were compensated with the Jamaica Center – Parsons/Archer Subway Station two blocks west of the former station, although this was more accurately a replacement for the former 160th Street
160th Street (BMT Jamaica Line)
160th Street was a station on the demolished section of the BMT Jamaica Line. It had 3 tracks and 2 side platforms. This station was built as part of the Dual Contracts. It opened December 12, 1916, and closed on September 10, 1977. The next stop to the north was 168th Street. The next stop to the...
elevated railroad station, rather than for the ex-Union Hall Street LIRR station.
