Title: Top 10 Surprising Facts Every New Yorker Should Know
Introduction:
New York City is a bustling metropolis, teeming with life and spectacle. It’s one of the world’s great cities, permeated with a rich history, diverse cultures and an eastern edge of sophistication. Home to more than 8 million people, New York City’s peculiarities and enigmas are endless. This article uncovers ten surprising facts about the Big Apple that will unfold your perspective of this magnificent city.
1. New York City has over 600 miles of Subway Tunnels: In Nirvana for subway enthusiasts, the Big Apple boasts a subway system with over 600 miles of tunnels. That’s the equivalent of circling the Earth twice! This vast network has been in operation since 1904 and carries over 5 million passengers a day.
IMAGE: [Subway Map of New York]
2. New York City has only one roundabout: Despite having millions of residents and visitors, New York City’s road layout includes just one roundabout. Known as The Traffic Circle at Columbus and Amsterdam Aves, it opened in 1925 and has been a source of fascination and confusion for drivers ever since.
3. There’s an ‘untouched’ freezer in a New York City Hospital: The Bellevue Hospital, a medical institution with over 200 years of history, houses an untouched Carnegie Prepared Foods freezer in its basement. Since its last recorded use in 1949, no one is entirely sure what’s inside, leading the freezer to become a source of urban exploration intrigue.
4. Only one person has ever been executed in New York City: The Big Apple’s most infamous murder dates back to 1895 when Patrick “Paddy” Connelly was executed. A prominent maritime leader, his crime was the brutal murder of an inebriated man. Curiously, this remains the only officially documented execution in NYC’s history.
5. A Subway Car surfaced from underneath Central Park: A dormant elevated subway line, called the ‘High Line,’ was built under the 5th Avenue in 1867. In 1930, a horrific accident sent a subway car shooting up through the streets, right into Central Park! Fortunately, all were able to safely evacuate.
6. There’s a hidden gem in The Statue of Liberty: The famous statue’s interior is home to 59 Latin-inscribed poems by famous French poet Victor Hugo. These poems, dedicated to freedom, snugly nestled in the lady’s pedestal and heart, add a layer of mystique to Lady Liberty’s iconic status.
7. The New York City Water Supply Drives the Tidal Pools: The NYC Water Supply System generates an unbelievable 1 billion gallons of tidal pool water every day. These tidal pools are surprising remnants of the geology below the city, estimated to be millions of years old.
8. St. Patrick’s Cathedral is technically an eastern church: Although it finds its prominent place on the north-south street grid and is generally classified as a western church, the Catholic church’s main axis runs from east to the west, creating an architectural anomaly.
9. New York was almost named “New Jonestown”: John Jacob Astor, a significant contributor to New York City’s growth, initially wished for the city to bear his name. The popular vote saw New Yorkin take the crown, but the alternate name lives on as New Jersey’s state bird – the Jonestan Finch.
10. An underground city in New York: NYC is home to an intricate network of underground spaces sheltering offices, arts performance venues, food storage, and even a digital library! Known as Subterranea, these secret spaces remain largely unnoticed by the average New Yorker.
FAQ:
Q: Where is the Traffic Circle at Columbus and Amsterdam Aves?
A: The only roundabout in New York City is located in Upper Manhattan, at the intersection of Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues near Columbia University.
Q: Who executed Patrick Connelly?
A: Connelly was hanged at New York’s infamous old gallows on the Greenwich Penitentiary grounds.
Q: Can tourists visit the freezer at Bellevue Hospital?
A: No, the freezer at Bellevue Hospital is secured and off-limits to the general public due to safety concerns and ongoing research activities.
Q: How big are the tidal pools in NYC?
A: The tidal pools generated by the NYC Water Supply System range from tiny pockets to large ponds, some over 100 feet wide!
DISCLAIMER: For safety reasons, attempting to explore or interfere with the hidden and sometimes-accessible spaces in NYC is prohibited and punishable by law.
In conclusion, New York City’s many historical, cultural and geological idiosyncrasies make it a vibrant and unique metropolis to be lived and explored. Even the well-seasoned New Yorker may feel surprised to learn these stories hidden beneath its vibrant skin.
