I decided to do a post on just the New York High Line. I love railroad tracks and the intersection of different transportation types and the patterns created by such. The awesome thing about this elevated rail line is that it runs right through the buildings using it. I just did a little blurb under my "new york tour guide" page about the same thing, but this goes into a little more detail.
The high line was built in the 1930s and used for transporting goods from the produce and meat packing companies to the west side rail yard where it could then be put on barges in the Hudson river to be exported out of the city. Negative attitudes were associated with covering streets with rail lines and the spaces in created below these lines, blocking out the sun and increasing the crime rate in these areas. Because of this, the high line cut diagonally through the blocks it would utilizing and also through the buildings on these blocks. Due to increased shipping by use of interstates and the trucks we all despise, the high line was forced to end its operation in 1980.
There were mixed feelings about what to do with it, some wanted it demolished, others wanted it saved as part of NYC's history. Luckily, in 2002, it was decided that it would be saved, at which point a public design ideas competition was held. The winning entry included turning the high line into a large public park.
The high line was built in the 1930s and used for transporting goods from the produce and meat packing companies to the west side rail yard where it could then be put on barges in the Hudson river to be exported out of the city. Negative attitudes were associated with covering streets with rail lines and the spaces in created below these lines, blocking out the sun and increasing the crime rate in these areas. Because of this, the high line cut diagonally through the blocks it would utilizing and also through the buildings on these blocks. Due to increased shipping by use of interstates and the trucks we all despise, the high line was forced to end its operation in 1980.
There were mixed feelings about what to do with it, some wanted it demolished, others wanted it saved as part of NYC's history. Luckily, in 2002, it was decided that it would be saved, at which point a public design ideas competition was held. The winning entry included turning the high line into a large public park.
I loved these photos, all of which can be found on the high line's website.
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