JAY MORGENTHAL

The 4/5 station is the oldest subway station in Brooklyn. It was opened Jan 9, 1908. It is listed in the Natural Register of Historic Places. Take time to study the ornate signs and construction..

There is a lot of history in regards to the closed off lower level. At one time it emerged as the Culver line to Coney Island . It ran parallel to 37 st then down mcdonald ave on the existing el where the F train runs. El trains from the old 5th ave el ran there until 1940. Also BMT trains from Chambers st ran to Coney Island . After the IND took over the mcdonald ave el in 1954 it eventually evolved into a single track one train shuttle between 9th ave lower & Ditmas ave. the last train ran in 1975 and the el was torn down. Today houses stand where the el ran next to 37 st.