The original 1904 subway line ran from City Hall to Grand Central Terminal, then west to Times Square, and finally north to 145th Street. Four of the original stations are now closed including 91st St., 18th St., Worth St., and the Old City Hall Stations.Even though the underground portions of the subway had yet to be built, several above-ground segments of the NYC Subway system were already in service by then.

Passing through subway at 42d Street and Park Avenue

surface railway tracks supported over excavation on upper Broadway

over roof of subway at 126th Street and Lenox Avenue

The illustration shows a vignette cartoon, with, in the central scene, Father Knickerbocker, a symbolic figure for New York City, welcoming Santa Claus to the underground of New York City; the vignettes show Santa distributing Christmas presents and planning for next year. The "Angel of Peace" is hoping for an end to the hostilities between Japan and Russia.

NYC Underground Subway begins operating

New York City's Subway railroad was opened to public travel on the above date. The contract for the present Subway was awarded December 18, 1897, and work was commenced March 24, 1900. The picture opens with Mayor McClellan, City Officials, State Senators, Congressmen and railroad officials leaving the City Hall and entering the Subway station. A panoramic view of City Hall Park and surroundings, with the crowds in the background, is next shown. Then follows an interior view of the Brooklyn Bridge Station. Express and local trains are arriving and departing, including the official inspection train with President August Belmont's private car with a party of officials and invited guests. 300 ft.&nbsp;Porter, Edwin S., Camera, William J Gilroy, Inc Thomas A. Edison, and Paper Print Collection. Opening ceremonies, New York subway. United States: Edison Manufacturing Co, 1904. Video. https://www.loc.gov/item/2016600205/.