Bowling Green: Gateway to Lower Manhattan and Staten Island

The Bowling Green station is a subway station located at the southern tip of Manhattan, New York, in the heart of the Financial District. It serves as a crucial point on the Lexington Avenue Line of the city’s subway system and is one of the original stations of the Interborough Rapid Transit Company (IRT). Its location next to Battery Park and the Staten Island Ferry terminal makes it an important transportation hub and an access point to historical and financial landmarks.

Connections and Services

The Bowling Green station is an integral part of the Lexington Avenue Line and offers the following services:

Bowling Green (Lexington Avenue Line)

• This station belongs to the Lexington Avenue Line of the New York City subway.
• It is served by trains from the following services:
  • 4 (green – express and local service)
  • 5 (green – express service, weekdays only at this station)
• Main entrance address: State Street and Battery Place, New York, NY 10004 (including the historic Control House).

Service Features

• The station has side platforms and a unique curved center platform for northbound trains.
• It offers local and express service:
  • The 4 train operates as a local train at night and on weekends, and as an express train during weekdays.
  • The 5 train operates as an express train on weekdays, skipping some local stations, but stops at Bowling Green. It does not operate at night or on weekends.
• Its proximity to the Whitehall Street station (R and W services) allows for a walking transfer, although it is not a direct connection within the fare system.

The station is essential for travelers heading to Lower Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and, via the ferry, to Staten Island.

Importance and Location

• The station is located at the intersection of Broadway, State Street, and Battery Place, adjacent to Bowling Green park, the city’s oldest public park.
• Its strategic location makes it a key access point to important destinations such as:

  • Financial District

    • The financial heart of the city, home to the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and numerous financial institutions.
    • Wall Street and the famous Charging Bull.
    • Federal Hall, site of the first U.S. presidential inauguration.

  • Battery Park

    • An extensive waterfront park with views of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
    • Castle Clinton National Monument.
    • Departure point for ferries to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

  • Additional Nearby Attractions

    • Staten Island Ferry Terminal: Free ferry service to Staten Island with excellent harbor views.
    • National Museum of the American Indian: Located in the impressive Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House building.
    • Stone Street: A historic cobblestone street with numerous bars and restaurants.

History and Evolution

• The Bowling Green station was inaugurated on July 10, 1905, as part of the southern extension of the IRT’s first subway line.
• It is notable for its original “Control House” (also known as the Bowling Green IRT Control House), a brick and terracotta structure designed by Heins & LaFarge, which still serves as the main entrance and is a National Historic Landmark.
• The station has been renovated several times, including platform extensions to accommodate longer trains and accessibility improvements (elevators).
• Its curved center platform is a remnant of an old shuttle service to South Ferry.

Interesting Facts

• It is one of the few stations that retains its original above-ground entrance (Control House) in operation.
• Its proximity to the ferry terminal makes it a vital point for Staten Island residents who work in Manhattan.
• The unique architecture of the Control House and the curved platforms make it distinctive within the subway system.
• The station suffered significant damage during Hurricane Sandy in 2012 but was restored and reopened.