Harlem–148th Street: North Terminal in Historic Harlem

The Harlem–148th Street station is the northern terminus of the IRT Lenox Avenue Line of the New York City Subway. Located in the heart of the Harlem neighborhood, in Upper Manhattan, it serves as an important access point for this historically significant and vibrant community.

Connections and Services

Harlem–148th Street is a terminal station and is not part of a transfer complex with other lines at this point.

Harlem–148th Street (IRT Lenox Avenue Line)

• This station is the northern terminus of the IRT Lenox Avenue Line.
• It is exclusively served by trains of the service:
  • 3 (red)
• Main entrance address: Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard and West 148th Street, New York, NY 10039

Station Features

• The station has one center platform and two tracks.
• Since it is a terminal, the 3 service trains end and begin their route here.
• It is served by trains of the services:
  • Center Platform
  • Two Terminal Tracks
• Entrances are located at the intersection of Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard and West 148th Street.

As a single-line terminal station, there are no direct transfers to other subway lines within the station itself.

Importance and Location

• The station is located at the intersection of Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard (Seventh Avenue) and West 148th Street, in northern Harlem.
• Its location serves the local Harlem community and provides access to various points of interest and services in the area:

  • Historic and Cultural Harlem

    • Known for its rich African American history, jazz music, and distinctive architecture.
    • Access to residential buildings, small businesses, and community services.
    • Proximity to parks like Jackie Robinson Park.
    • Cultural and religious centers of the community.

  • Key Transportation Connection

    • Serves as a starting/ending point for thousands of daily commuters on line 3.
    • Connection with local MTA buses serving Upper Manhattan and the Bronx.
    • Facilitates access to northern Manhattan.

  • Nearby Points of Interest

    • Jackie Robinson Park: A large park with a pool, recreation center, and amphitheater.
    • Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture (accessible by bus or a longer walk).
    • Local shops and restaurants that reflect the neighborhood’s culture.

History and Evolution

• The Harlem–148th Street station was inaugurated on May 13, 1968, as an extension of the IRT Lenox Avenue Line from 145th Street.
• It was built to better serve the growing neighborhood and provide an adjacent rail yard for shunting and storage (Lenox Yard).
• Over the years, it has maintained its function as an essential terminal for line 3, connecting Harlem with the rest of Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Interesting Facts

• It is the northernmost subway station in Manhattan on the west side (excluding Marble Hill, technically on the mainland but considered part of Manhattan by the MTA).
• Its official full name is Harlem–148th Street–Lenox Terminal.
• The station is adjacent to Lenox Yard, an important storage and maintenance yard for subway trains.