View source for BMT Lexington Avenue Line

{{Short description|Former New York City rapid transit line}}
{{distinguish|IRT Lexington Avenue Line}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2017}}
{{Infobox rail line
|color = 
|name = Lexington Avenue Elevated
|other_name=BMT Lexington Avenue Line
|image = File:Bmt1924.png
|image_width = 250 px
|caption = A 1924 BMT route map; the Lexington Avenue El is at center.
|type = [[Rapid transit]]
|system = [[Brooklyn–Manhattan Transit Corporation]]
|status = 
|locale = 
|start = [[Fulton Street (BMT Fifth Avenue Line)|Fulton Street]]
|end = [[65th Street (BMT Fifth Avenue Line)|65th Street]]
|stations = 
|routes = 
| daily_ridership = 
|open = 1885–1893
|close = 1889 (Park Avenue Elevated)<br>1950 (section west of Gates Avenue)
|owner = [[Government of New York City|City of New York]]
|operator = [[Brooklyn–Manhattan Transit Corporation]]
|character = Elevated
|stock = 
|linelength  = 
|tracklength = 
| tracks = 2
|gauge       = {{RailGauge|ussg}}
| electrification =
|speed       = 
|elevation   = 
|map         = {{switcher
|{{maplink-road|from=BMT Lexington Avenue Line.map}}
|Show interactive map
|{{BMT Lexington Avenue Line}}
|Show route diagram
}}
|map_state   = uncollapsed
}}

The '''BMT Lexington Avenue Line''' (also called the '''Lexington Avenue Elevated''') was the first standard [[elevated railway]] in [[Brooklyn]], New York, operated in its later days by the [[Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company]], the [[Brooklyn–Manhattan Transit Corporation]], and then the [[New York City government|City of New York]].

The original line, as it existed at the end of 1885, traveled from [[Fulton Ferry, Brooklyn|Fulton Ferry]] in [[Downtown Brooklyn]] east to [[East New York, Brooklyn|East New York]], passing over York Street, turning right onto Hudson Avenue (which is now a pedestrian walkway within the Farrugut Houses), left onto Park Avenue, right onto Grand Avenue, left onto Lexington Avenue, right onto [[Broadway (Brooklyn)|Broadway]], and slight left onto [[Fulton Street (Brooklyn)|Fulton Street]].

The structure above Broadway and Fulton Street is now part of the [[BMT Jamaica Line]]. The original structure east of [[Alabama Avenue (BMT Lexington Avenue Line)|Alabama Avenue]] in East New York still exists, although it has been rebuilt to support subway cars, which are heavier than the former elevated cars. The remaining elevated structure is the oldest such structure in the subway system.

==History==
The [[Brooklyn Elevated Railroad]] opened the line to passengers at 16:00 on May 13, 1885, with a five-cent fare<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/50426733/|title=Five Cent Fare|date=May 5, 1885|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|access-date=February 18, 2018|page=4}}</ref> for trains every five minutes.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/50426829/|title=Opening Day|date=May 13, 1885|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|access-date=February 18, 2018|page=6}}</ref> The original line ran from [[York and Washington Streets (BMT Lexington Avenue Line)|York and Washington Streets]] (near the [[Brooklyn Bridge]]) along York Street, Hudson Avenue, Park Avenue, Grand Avenue, Lexington Avenue, and Broadway to [[Gates Avenue (BMT Lexington Avenue Line)|Gates Avenue]]. The three stations on Park Avenue had [[island platform]]s, while all the other stations had two [[side platform]]s.<ref name="Gates"/>

The first extension, east to [[Manhattan Beach Crossing (BMT Lexington Avenue Line)|Manhattan Beach Crossing]] in [[East New York, Brooklyn|East New York]], named for the crossing of the [[Manhattan Beach Division]] of the [[Long Island Rail Road]], opened at 09:00 on June 14, 1885. Arrangements were made with the LIRR for joint tickets to [[Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn|Manhattan Beach]], as well as with the [[Grand Street, Prospect Park and Flatbush Railroad]] ([[Franklin Avenue Line (surface)|Franklin Avenue Line]] of streetcars) and [[Brooklyn, Flatbush and Coney Island Railway]] (Brighton Beach Line) to [[Brighton Beach, Brooklyn|Brighton Beach]]. Other connections at East New York included the [[Long Island Rail Road]] towards the east, the [[Brooklyn and Rockaway Beach Railroad]] (Canarsie Line), and the [[New York, Woodhaven and Rockaway Railroad]]. [[Shops (rail)|Shops]], [[car house]]s, and other facilities were located at East New York, where the [[New York City Subway]]'s [[East New York Yard]] still stands.<ref name="MBC"/>

On September 5, 1885, the line was extended one more station to [[Alabama Avenue (BMT Lexington Avenue Line)|Alabama Avenue]] near the [[Howard House (Brooklyn)|Howard House]], a [[union station]] for the steam and horse railroads into East New York.<ref name="Alabama"/> Another east terminal at [[Van Siclen Avenue (BMT Lexington Avenue Line)|Van Siclen Avenue]] was opened on December 3, 1885, with the structure above [[Fulton Street (Brooklyn)|Fulton Street]] extending east two more blocks to Schenck Street. After a half day of infrequent service, trains began serving the new station on a regular schedule the next morning.<ref name="1885Opening">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/50407338/|title=Finished At Last The Elevated Complete from the River to Schenck Avenue|date=December 3, 1885|newspaper=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle|page=4|access-date=October 2, 2016|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1885/12/04/archives/brooklyn-elevated-roads.html|title=Brooklyn Elevated Roads |date=December 4, 1885|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=October 2, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/50407358/|title=Five Hundred Passengers|date=December 4, 1995|newspaper=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle|page=6|access-date=October 2, 2016|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>

Several weeks before the line was completed to Van Siclen Avenue, the western terminal at [[Fulton Ferry (BMT Lexington Avenue Line)|Fulton Ferry]] was opened at noon on November 11, 1885. This portion of the line was built above York Street to just shy of the bridge, where it turned northwest parallel to the bridge, not turning back west under the bridge until Plymouth Street at the [[East River]].<ref name=RandMcnally1897>[[Rand McNally]], [[:Image:1897 Brooklyn map.jpg|1897 map of Brooklyn]]</ref><!--this could use a better source, or at least a clearer map--> That same day, a covered walkway above Washington Street<ref name="Will Open on Monday">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/60735100/|title=Will Open on Monday|date=November 1, 1888|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|access-date=February 18, 2018|page=5}}</ref> from the inbound platform<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/50407081/|title=Must Walk Around|date=November 18, 1885|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|access-date=February 18, 2018|page=4}}</ref> of the York and Washington Streets station to the [[Brooklyn Bridge]] was opened.<ref name="Fulton">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/50406984/|title=At the Ferry|date=November 11, 1885|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|access-date=February 18, 2018|page=4}}</ref>

Brooklyn Elevated Railroad leased the newer [[Union Elevated Railroad (Brooklyn)|Union Elevated Railroad]], which had yet to run a train, on May 13, 1887.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/60785815/|title=Elevated Railroad Consolidation|date=May 12, 1887|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|access-date=February 18, 2018|page=6}}</ref><ref name="surrender">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/50445579/|title=Surrender of Capital Stock|date=November 18, 1890|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|access-date=February 18, 2018|page=1}}</ref> However, the two companies, despite sharing large portions of their lines, remained technically separate, commonly called the "Brooklyn and Union Elevated Railroads",<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/60737116/|title=Railroad Men Dancing|date=December 7, 1888|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|access-date=February 18, 2018|page=1}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/50455529/|title=Relief from Taxation|date=April 15, 1889|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|access-date=February 18, 2018|page=1}}</ref><ref name="new system" /> until they merged in October 1890<!--October 27? this needs better information--> and kept the Brooklyn Elevated Railroad name.<ref name=surrender/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/50445353/|title=Will Consolidate Monday|date=October 25, 1890|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|access-date=February 18, 2018|page=8}}</ref>

On April 10, 1888, Union Elevated opened the first piece of the [[Myrtle Avenue elevated]], from [[Adams Street (BMT Myrtle Avenue Line)|Adams Street]] at [[City Hall (Brooklyn)|City Hall]] east over [[Myrtle Avenue]] to Grand Avenue, where it junctioned with the Brooklyn elevated. The company operated through to the end of the Brooklyn elevated at Van Siclen Avenue.<ref name="Adams">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/50438029/|title=A Start Made|date=April 10, 1888|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|access-date=February 18, 2018|page=6}}</ref> Another branch operated by Union Elevated, the [[Broadway elevated]] from [[Gates Avenue (BMT Jamaica Line)|Gates Avenue]] northwest to [[Driggs Avenue (BMT Jamaica Line)|Driggs Avenue]] in [[Williamsburg, Brooklyn|Williamsburg]], opened on June 25, 1888.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/50438588/|title=The Broadway Line Opened|date=June 25, 1888|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|access-date=February 18, 2018|page=6}}</ref> This was extended to [[Broadway Ferry (BMT Jamaica Line)|Broadway Ferry]] on July 14, 1888.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/60726753/|title=When the Union Road will be Finished|date=July 13, 1888|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|access-date=February 18, 2018|page=1}}</ref> The Myrtle Avenue elevated was extended north over Adams Street to [[Sands Street (BMT Myrtle Avenue Line)|Sands Street]] at the [[Brooklyn Bridge]] on September 1, 1888, and the Union elevated began running between Sands Street and Van Siclen Avenue.<ref name="Sands">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/60730079/|title=To the Bridge: Union Elevated Trains Will Run There Saturday|date=August 30, 1888|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|access-date=February 18, 2018|page=4}}</ref> Union Elevated opened the [[Hudson Avenue elevated]], a branch of the Brooklyn elevated from the intersection of Hudson and Park Avenues south to the [[Long Island Rail Road]]'s [[Atlantic Terminal|Flatbush Avenue]] terminal, on November 5, 1888, and began operating between Fulton Ferry and Flatbush Avenue.<ref name="Will Open on Monday" />

Another piece of the [[Myrtle Avenue elevated]], from the crossing of the Brooklyn elevated at Grand Avenue east to [[Broadway (BMT Myrtle Avenue Line)|Broadway]], opened on April 27, 1889. Trains on this route did not cross the line on Grand Avenue, but turned onto Grand Avenue and used the Brooklyn elevated to Fulton Ferry.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/50455607/|title=Will Open on Saturday|date=April 25, 1889|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|access-date=February 18, 2018|page=1}}</ref> Simultaneously, the original Brooklyn elevated route via Lexington Avenue to Fulton Ferry was discontinued, with all Lexington Avenue trains running over Myrtle Avenue to the Brooklyn Bridge, and passengers for the ferry required to transfer at [[Myrtle Avenue (BMT Lexington Avenue Line)|Myrtle Avenue]] station via several stairways.<ref name="criticism">
* {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/50365613/|title=Elevated Railroad Criticism|date=May 1, 1889|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|access-date=February 18, 2018|page=5}}
* {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/50365613/|title=Trouble on the Elevated Railroad|date=May 1, 1889|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|access-date=February 18, 2018|page=5}}</ref>

Effective December 9, 1889, a new service pattern went into effect, in which the structure above Park Avenue and its three stations, two of them located one long block north of Myrtle Avenue stations, were closed. Myrtle Avenue trains, which had used this structure since April 27, instead continued along Myrtle Avenue to Hudson Avenue, turning north there via a new junction into the [[Hudson Avenue elevated]], closed north of Myrtle Avenue since shortly after it opened due to safety concerns with the [[Level crossing|at-grade crossing]] at Myrtle Avenue. Thus passengers transferring between the two lines could disembark at [[Navy Street (BMT Myrtle Avenue Line)|Navy Street]] and simply enter the next train on the other route.<ref name="new system">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/50408835/|title=Running Smoothly|date=December 9, 1889|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|access-date=February 18, 2018|page=6}}</ref> The company continued to operate one daily train, closed to passengers, over Park Avenue, "to satisfy, it is thought, legal requirements", according to the [[Brooklyn Daily Eagle]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/60727112/|title=Running More Trains|date=January 18, 1890|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|access-date=February 18, 2018|page=1}}</ref>

The structure above Park Avenue, closed to passengers since late 1889, was finally removed in late 1891. The [[New York State Board of Railroad Commissioners]] approved its abandonment on late December 1891,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/50383649/|title=The Park Avenue Elevated Road|date=December 15, 1891|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|access-date=February 18, 2018|page=6}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/50383904/|title=Tear it Down|date=December 26, 1891|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|access-date=February 18, 2018|page=2}}</ref> and removal soon began of the entire portion on Park Avenue, from the [[Hudson Avenue Elevated]] east to Grand Avenue, as well as the portion above Grand Avenue north of the [[Myrtle Avenue Elevated]].{{citation needed|date=February 2007}}<!--this needs a cite for when it was actually removed--> This was the only part of the New York City elevated system to be permanently closed without ever having been [[electrified (rail)|electrified]].{{citation needed|date=February 2007}} By August 9, 1900, the rest of the line was electrified with [[third rail]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/50353176/|title=Loop in Operation|date=August 9, 1900|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|access-date=February 18, 2018|page=3}}</ref>

An extension of the Brooklyn elevated east to Cypress Hills, over Fulton Street and Crescent Street, opened on May 30, 1893, and the Brooklyn Union elevated extended both Lexington Avenue Line and [[Broadway Line (Brooklyn elevated)|Broadway Line]] trains to the new terminal.<ref name="Cypress Hills">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/50387599/|title=Trains Running This Morning|date=May 30, 1893|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|access-date=February 18, 2018|page=10}}</ref> This extension incorporated portions of the old structure over Park Avenue.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/50387514/|title=Elevated Railroad Extensions|date=May 28, 1893|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|access-date=February 18, 2018|page=16}}</ref>

The original Brooklyn elevated over Hudson Avenue and York Street to Fulton Ferry, only used by [[Myrtle Avenue elevated]] trains after 1889, was closed on April 11, 1904.<ref name=nycsubway.org />

On April 27, 1950 it was announced that the line would be demolished at the suggestion of the Board of Transportation and the Brooklyn Borough President John Cashmore. Cashmore, following the line's demolition, wanted to widen the street to become a major traffic artery. The demolition of the line was expected to save $781,000 annually. Patronage on the line had decreased to 7,337 daily passengers, and the fare booths on the line were closed between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., requiring conductors to collect fares onboard.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1950/04/28/archives/old-brooklyn-el-is-due-to-be-razed-lexington-ave-line-boroughs.html|title=Old Brooklyn 'El' Is Due To Be Razed; Lexington Ave. Line, Borough's First Rapid Transit Route, Scheduled for Junk Pile|date=April 28, 1950|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 4, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The last Lexington Avenue train ran at 9 p.m. on October 13, 1950, with a small celebration, 65 years after the line opened. Transportation Commissioner G. Joseph Minetti joked that "if we had this many passengers riding regularly we wouldn't have to shut it down."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1950/10/14/archives/brooklyn-el-link-dies-with-aplomb-celebrants-pack-last-train-to-run.html|title=Brooklyn 'El' Link Dies With Aplomb; Celebrants Pack Last Train to Run on Lexington Spur, Soon to Be Torn Down In Service For 65 Years Riders Were So Scarce That Its 8 Stations Were Closed at Night for Last 10 Years|date=October 14, 1950|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 4, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Demolition began on November 1.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1950/10/06/archives/brooklyn-el-to-go-down-lexington-ave-line-65-years-old-to-end-next.html|title=Brooklyn 'El' To Go Down; Lexington Ave. Line, 65 Years Old, to End Next Friday|date=October 6, 1950|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 4, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Former riders of the Lexington Avenue Line were encouraged to use bus service along Gates and DeKalb Avenues or to use the [[IND Crosstown Line]] subway.<ref name=":0" />

==Service patterns==
The original service pattern was a single line from [[Fulton Ferry, Brooklyn|Fulton Ferry]] to [[East New York, Brooklyn|East New York]]. On April 27, 1889, all Lexington Avenue trains began using the [[Myrtle Avenue elevated]] to [[Sands Street (BMT station)|Sands Street]] at the [[Brooklyn Bridge]], while the old portion above Park Avenue, Hudson Avenue, and other streets to Fulton Ferry became part of the outer Myrtle Avenue service.<ref name=criticism/> The Park Avenue structure was last used on December 8, 1889, but Myrtle Avenue trains continued to use the line on Hudson Avenue to Fulton Ferry.<ref name="new system" /> All Lexington Avenue trains served Sands Street after 1889,{{citation needed|date=February 2007}} but Myrtle Avenue trains began alternating between Fulton Ferry and Sands Street on April 10, 1899, in order to avoid the transferring of Myrtle Avenue passengers to trains bound for the bridge.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/50420323/|title=L Express Trains|date=April 7, 1899|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|access-date=February 18, 2018|page=1}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/50420378/|title=Express Train Service|date=April 8, 1899|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|access-date=February 18, 2018|page=16}}</ref> Lexington Avenue trains were extended from Sands Street over the Brooklyn Bridge to [[Park Row (BMT station)|Park Row]] in June 1898.{{citation needed|date=February 2007}} This pattern remained until the line to Fulton Ferry closed on April 11, 1904.<ref name="nycsubway.org">{{cite web|url=https://nycsubway.org/wiki/Early_Rapid_Transit_in_Brooklyn,_1878-1913|title=Early Rapid Transit in Brooklyn, 1878-1913|last=Feinman|first=Mark S.|date=February 17, 2001|work=www.nycsubway.org|access-date=February 18, 2018}}</ref>

{{main|BMT 12}}
From 1904 until the abandonment of service on October 13, 1950, the Lexington Avenue service pattern (labeled [[BMT 12|12]] after 1924) was relatively simple. Trains began at either [[Park Row (BMT station)|Park Row]] in [[Lower Manhattan]] or [[Sands Street (BMT station)|Sands Street]] in [[Downtown Brooklyn]], and ran along the [[Broadway elevated]] at least to [[East New York, Brooklyn|East New York]] and sometimes to [[Jamaica, Queens|Jamaica]].

==Station listing==

===Original line from Fulton Ferry===
Beginning on April 27, 1889, all Lexington Avenue trains used the [[Myrtle Avenue elevated]] west of Myrtle Avenue station, and this line was only used by Myrtle Avenue trains.
{| class=wikitable
!Name
!Location
!Opened
!Closed
!Notes
|-
|[[Fulton Ferry (BMT Lexington Avenue Line)|Fulton Ferry]]
|[[Fulton Ferry, Brooklyn|Fulton Ferry]]
|November 11, 1885<ref name=Fulton/>
|April 11, 1904<ref name="nycsubway.org"/>
|Separate terminal adjacent to the terminal of [[BMT Fulton Street Line]], line between Fulton Ferry and Washington Street is along ROW on the north side of the Brooklyn Bridge
|-
|[[York and Washington Streets (BMT Lexington Avenue Line)|York and Washington Streets]]
|York Street and Washington Street
|May 13, 1885<ref name=Gates/>
|April 11, 1904<ref name="nycsubway.org"/>
|Connection to the [[Brooklyn Bridge]] and [[New York and Brooklyn Bridge Railway]]
|-
|[[Bridge Street (BMT Lexington Avenue Line)|Bridge Street]]
|York Street and Bridge Street
|May 13, 1885<ref name=Gates/>
|April 11, 1904<ref name="nycsubway.org"/>
|
|-
|[[Navy Street (BMT Lexington Avenue Line)|Navy Street]]
|Park Avenue and Navy Street
|May 13, 1885<ref name=Gates/>
|December 8, 1889<ref name="new system" />
|
|-
|[[Cumberland Street (BMT Lexington Avenue Line)|Cumberland Street]]
|Park Avenue and Cumberland Street
|May 13, 1885<ref name=Gates/>
|December 8, 1889<ref name="new system" />
|
|-
|[[Washington Avenue (BMT Lexington Avenue Line)|Washington Avenue]]
|Park Avenue and Washington Avenue
|May 13, 1885<ref name=Gates/>
|December 8, 1889<ref name="new system" />
|
|}

===Later line from the Brooklyn Bridge===
Lexington Avenue trains were moved to this route on April 27, 1889, joining the old route just west of Myrtle Avenue station.

====Demolished section====
This section of the line closed in three stages. Service past Bridge–Jay Streets ended in 1944. Service on the section shared with the [[BMT Myrtle Avenue Line]] ended in 1969 when that line closed, 19 years after the BMT Lexington Avenue Line itself was demolished between Washington Avenue on the Myrtle Avenue Line and Gates Avenue on the Jamaica Line.
{| class=wikitable
!Name
!Opened
!Closed
!Notes
|-
| colspan="4" align="center" | '''[[Manhattan]]'''
|-
|[[Park Row (BMT station)|Park Row]]
|June 1898<ref name="1944closure">{{cite news |title=Brooklyn Bridge Train Service Ends Today -- Trolley Cars Stay On |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/37690631/park_row_station_march_5_1944/ |accessdate=October 27, 2021 |work=[[The Brooklyn Daily Eagle]] |date=March 5, 1944 |page=11|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref>
|March 5, 1944{{citation needed|date=February 2007}}
|
|-
| colspan="4" align="center" | '''[[Brooklyn]]'''
|-
|[[Sands Street (BMT station)|Sands Street]]
|September 1, 1888<ref name=Sands/>
|March 5, 1944{{citation needed|date=February 2007}}
|
|-
|[[Adams Street (BMT Myrtle Avenue Line)|Adams Street]]
|April 10, 1888<ref name=Adams/>
|March 5, 1944{{citation needed|date=February 2007}}
|
|-
|[[Bridge–Jay Streets (BMT Myrtle Avenue Line)|Bridge–Jay Street]]
|April 10, 1888{{citation needed|date=February 2007}}
|October 4, 1969{{citation needed|date=February 2007}}
|Free transfers were offered to the [[IND Fulton Street Line]] at [[Jay Street – MetroTech (IND Fulton Street Line)|Jay Street – Borough Hall]] (present day {{NYCS Jay Street}} trains) after 1944.
|-
|[[Navy Street (BMT Myrtle Avenue Line)|Navy Street]]
|April 10, 1888{{citation needed|date=February 2007}}
|October 4, 1969<ref name="query.nytimes.com">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1969/10/04/archives/1200-on-last-trip-on-myrtle-ave-el-cars-are-stripped.html|title=1,200 on Last Trip On Myrtle Ave. El; Cars Are Stripped|date=October 4, 1969|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=June 5, 2016}}</ref> 
|
|-
|[[Vanderbilt Avenue (BMT Myrtle Avenue Line)|Vanderbilt Avenue]]
|April 10, 1888{{citation needed|date=February 2007}}
|October 4, 1969{{citation needed|date=February 2007}}
|
|-
|[[Washington Avenue (BMT Myrtle Avenue Line)|Washington Avenue]]
|April 10, 1888{{citation needed|date=February 2007}}
|October 4, 1969<ref name="query.nytimes.com"/> 
|
|-
|[[Myrtle Avenue (BMT Lexington Avenue Line)|Myrtle Avenue]]
|May 13, 1885
|October 13, 1950<ref name=aplomb>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1950/10/14/archives/brooklyn-el-link-dies-with-aplomb-celebrants-pack-last-train-to-run.html|title=Brooklyn El Link Dies with Aplomb|work=The New York Times|date=October 14, 1950}}</ref>
|connection to [[Myrtle Avenue elevated]] trains and [[Myrtle Avenue Line (surface)|Myrtle Avenue Line]] streetcars
|-
|[[DeKalb Avenue (BMT Lexington Avenue Line)|DeKalb Avenue]]
|May 13, 1885<ref name=Gates/>
|October 13, 1950<ref name=aplomb />
|connection to [[DeKalb Avenue Line]] streetcars
|-
|[[Greene Avenue (BMT Lexington Avenue Line)|Greene Avenue]]
|May 13, 1885<ref name=Gates/>
|October 13, 1950<ref name=aplomb />
|connection to [[Greene and Gates Avenues Line]] streetcars
|-
|[[Franklin Avenue (BMT Lexington Avenue Line)|Franklin Avenue]]
|May 13, 1885<ref name=Gates/>
|October 13, 1950<ref name=aplomb />
|connection to [[Franklin Avenue Line (surface)|Franklin Avenue Line]]<!--Redirect to [[Nassau Railroad]] or [[Nassau Electric Railroad]]?--> and [[Greene and Gates Avenues Line]] streetcars
|-
|[[Nostrand Avenue (BMT Lexington Avenue Line)|Nostrand Avenue]]
|May 13, 1885<ref name=Gates/>
|October 13, 1950<ref name=aplomb />
|connection to [[Nostrand Avenue Line (surface)|Nostrand Avenue Line]] and [[Lorimer Street Line]] streetcars
|-
|[[Tompkins Avenue (BMT Lexington Avenue Line)|Tompkins Avenue]]
|May 13, 1885<ref name=Gates/>
|October 13, 1950<ref name=aplomb />
|connection to [[Tompkins Avenue Line]], [[Marcy Avenue Line]], and [[Ocean Avenue Line]]<!--before it was truncated to Bergen Street--> streetcars
|-
|[[Sumner Avenue (BMT Lexington Avenue Line)|Sumner Avenue]]
|May 13, 1885<ref name=Gates/>
|October 13, 1950<ref name=aplomb />
|connection to [[Sumner Avenue Line]] streetcars
|-
|[[Reid Avenue (BMT Lexington Avenue Line)|Reid Avenue]]
|May 13, 1885<ref name=Gates/>
|October 13, 1950<ref name=aplomb />
|connection to [[Utica and Reid Avenues Line]] streetcars
|}

====BMT Jamaica Line====
Just before Gates Avenue, Lexington Avenue trains joined the [[BMT Jamaica Line]]. The section of the BMT Jamaica Line used by Lexington Avenue trains is now used by the {{NYCS trains|Jamaica east}}. The former connection to the BMT Lexington Avenue Line can be seen just west of Gates Avenue.

{| class=wikitable
!Name
!Opened
!Closed
!Notes
|-
|[[Gates Avenue (BMT Lexington Avenue Line)|Gates Avenue]]
|May 13, 1885<ref name=Gates/>
|present
|connection to [[Broadway elevated]] trains and [[Broadway Line (Brooklyn surface)|Broadway Line]], [[Greene and Gates Avenues Line]], and [[Ralph Avenue Line]] streetcars
|-
|[[Halsey Street (BMT Lexington Avenue Line)|Halsey Street]]
|August 19, 1885<ref name="auto"/>
|present
|connection to [[Broadway Line (Brooklyn surface)|Broadway Line]] and [[Putnam Avenue Line]] streetcars
|-
|[[Chauncey Street (BMT Lexington Avenue Line)|Chauncey Street]]
|July 18, 1885<ref name=Chauncey/>
|present
|connection to [[Broadway Line (Brooklyn surface)|Broadway Line]] and [[Wilson Avenue Line]] streetcars
|-
|[[Broadway Junction (BMT Jamaica Line)|Manhattan Beach Crossing]]
|June 14, 1885<ref name=MBC/>
|present
|now named Broadway Junction; connection to the [[BMT Canarsie Line]] and [[IND Fulton Street Line]] (present day {{NYCS Fulton}}, {{NYCS Canarsie}} trains). 
|-
|[[Alabama Avenue (BMT Lexington Avenue Line)|Alabama Avenue]]
|September 5, 1885<ref name=Alabama/>
|present
|
|-
|[[Van Siclen Avenue (BMT Lexington Avenue Line)|Van Siclen Avenue]]<!--or Miller Avenue?-->
|December 3, 1885<ref name="1885Opening" />
|present
|
|-
|[[Cleveland Street (BMT Lexington Avenue Line)|Cleveland Street]]<!--or Cleveland Avenue?-->
|May 30, 1893<ref name="Cypress Hills" />
|present
|
|-
|[[Norwood Avenue (BMT Lexington Avenue Line)|Norwood Avenue]]
|May 30, 1893<ref name="Cypress Hills" />
|present
|
|-
|[[Crescent Street (BMT Lexington Avenue Line)|Crescent Street]]<!--or Crescent Avenue?-->
|May 30, 1893<ref name="Cypress Hills" />
|present
|
|-
|[[Cypress Hills (BMT Lexington Avenue Line)|Cypress Hills]]<!--or Cypress Hills Cemetery?-->
|May 30, 1893<ref name="Cypress Hills" />
|present
|
|}

==References==
{{reflist|30em|refs=
<ref name="Gates">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/50426818/|title=Done at Last|date=May 13, 1885|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|access-date=February 18, 2018|page=1}}</ref>

<ref name="auto">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/50405675/|title=Halsey Street Station Opened|date=August 19, 1885|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|access-date=February 18, 2018|page=4}}</ref>

<ref name="Chauncey">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/50405355/|title=A New Station Opened|date=July 18, 1885|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|access-date=February 18, 2018|page=4}}</ref>

<ref name="MBC">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/50427251/|title=East New York|date=June 13, 1885|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|access-date=February 18, 2018|page=6}}</ref>

<ref name="Alabama">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/50405953/|title=Still Extending Its Lines|date=September 5, 1885|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|access-date=February 18, 2018|page=6}}</ref>
}}

==Further reading==
*[https://www.nytimes.com/1885/05/14/archives/a-great-day-for-brooklyn-the-elevated-road-opened-for-business-amid.html A Great Day for Brooklyn], ''[[The New York Times]]'' May 14, 1885 page 8
*[https://www.nytimes.com/1885/06/15/archives/a-short-cut-to-coney-island.html A Short Cut to Coney Island], ''The New York Times'' June 15, 1885 page 5
*[https://www.nytimes.com/1885/11/12/archives/city-and-suburban-news-newyork-brooklyn-westchester-county-staten.html City and Suburban News], ''The New York Times'' November 12, 1885 page 8
*[https://www.nytimes.com/1885/12/15/archives/city-and-suburban-news-newyork-brooklyn-westchester-county.html City and Suburban News], ''The New York Times'' December 15, 1885 page 8
*[https://www.nytimes.com/1891/12/25/archives/elevated-tracks-to-come-down.html Elevated Tracks to Come Down], ''The New York Times'' December 25, 1891 page 1
*[https://www.nytimes.com/1940/05/27/archives/bmt-el-lines-to-shift-service-city-to-close-2-sections-this-week.html B.M.T. 'El' Lines to Shift Service; City to Close 2 Sections This Week], ''The New York Times'' May 27, 1940 page 19

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20021014100953/http://www.myrecollection.com/burkhardtk/lastlex.html "My Recollection" – A ride on the last Lexington Avenue elevated train]

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Lexington Avenue}}
[[Category:Defunct New York City Subway lines]]
[[Category:Brooklyn–Manhattan Transit Corporation]]
[[Category:Railway lines opened in 1885]]
[[Category:Railway lines closed in 1950]]
[[Category:1885 establishments in New York (state)]]
[[Category:1950 disestablishments in New York (state)]]