Ever wonder how Ridgewood connected to Downtown Brooklyn and Manhattan? The BMT Myrtle Avenue Line, also known as the Myrtle Avenue Elevated, was the key. This elevated train line was once a bustling artery, carrying workers, students, and shoppers between these vital hubs. Imagine the clatter of the train as it rumbled above Myrtle Avenue, connecting communities like Bushwick, Ridgewood, and Middle Village. The first section of the BMT Myrtle Avenue Line opened in 1888, initially shuttling between Adams Street in Downtown Brooklyn and Grand Avenue in Clinton Hill. It expanded into Queens, reaching Wyckoff Avenue in Ridgewood by 1890, and eventually extended to Metropolitan Avenue in Middle Village. Originally powered by steam locomotives, the line was electrified by 1900, allowing lighter trains to cross the Brooklyn Bridge and connect to Park Row in Lower Manhattan. A notable expansion occurred in 1915, when the at-grade section between Wyckoff Avenue and Fresh Pond Road was elevated, improving service and paving the way for electric trolley service on Palmetto Street. Sadly, the BMT Myrtle Avenue Line faced decline in later years. The opening of the G line in the 1930s offered an alternative route, and the end of service across the Brooklyn Bridge in 1944 further limited its reach. By the 1960s, the line was the last in the city to use wooden passenger cars and its elevated stations were deteriorating. Despite protests from local lawmakers, the section west of Myrtle Avenue-Broadway closed in 1969, ending direct rail service to Downtown Brooklyn. Today, only the eastern portion of the BMT Myrtle Avenue Line remains, serving as a reminder of its important role in connecting communities and fostering growth.
Центральный дом работников искусств
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