Culver Depot

{{Short description|Former streetcar and railroad terminal in Brooklyn}} {{Use American English|date=February 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2020}} {{coord|40.575235|-73.973338|region:US|display=title}} thumb|The rapid transit platforms of the Culver Depot after its 1904 renovations, showing the platform gates. '''Culver Depot''', also called '''Culver Terminal'''<ref name="StreetRR-CulverTerm-Jun1904"/> or '''Culver Plaza''',<ref name="Coney Island and Astroland">{{cite book |last=Denson |first=Charles |title=Coney Island and Astroland |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CVNG35jlce8C&pg=PA16 |access-date=September 9, 2013 |year=2011 |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |isbn=978-0738574288 |pages=16–17}}</ref> was a railroad and streetcar terminal in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York City, United States, located on the northern side of Surf Avenue near West 5th Street.<ref name="ConeyIsTerm-CIBkRR-1912">{{cite journal|title=Coney Island Terminal of the Coney Island & Brooklyn Railroad|journal=Electric Railway Journal|date=May 11, 1912|volume=39|issue=19|pages=790–792|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ujs_AQAAMAAJ&q=%22coney+island+terminal+of+the%22&pg=PA790|access-date=September 1, 2016|publisher=McGraw Publishing Company}}</ref><ref name="CulverDpt-1904">Plan of the New Terminal Yard Arrangement For The Culver Terminal At Coney Island−Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company, ''Street Railway Journal'', 1904.</ref> It was just north of the boardwalk, near the former Luna Park amusement complex, and across from the current New York Aquarium.<ref name=":4" /><ref name="FNY-Culver-2002">{{cite news|last1=Walsh|first1=Kevin|title=CULVER'S TRAVELS. The demolition of a Brooklyn elevated link|url=http://forgotten-ny.com/2003/02/culvers-travels-the-demolition-of-a-brooklyn-elevated-link/|access-date=September 2, 2016|work=Forgotten New York|date=February 2002}}</ref> Originally built by the Prospect Park and Coney Island Railroad for the Culver surface line, it later became a major terminal for the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company (BRT).<ref name="StreetRR-CulverTerm-Jun1904" /><ref name="Cudahy2002" />

==Layout== thumb|upright|1904 map The terminal was located at grade-level, at the north side of Surf Avenue. On the east side of the terminal, there were four tracks and five high-level platforms for BRT elevated trains from the Culver and Brighton lines.<ref name="StreetRR-CulverTerm-Jun1904"/><ref name="CulverDpt-1904"/><ref name="Cudahy2002" /><ref name="BklynEagle-NewCulver-May1904"/><ref name="RRGaz-BRTRehab-1907"/><ref name="NYCS-2001"/> The two outer platforms were side platforms, while the three inner platforms were island platforms, similar to the former layout of Chambers Street. The outer side platforms and center island platform were for the unloading of passengers, while the western and eastern island platforms were used by outbound passengers, in a Spanish solution layout.<ref name="StreetRR-CulverTerm-Jun1904"/><ref name="CulverDpt-1904"/><ref name="Cudahy2002" /><ref name="BklynEagle-NewCulver-May1904"/><ref name="RRGaz-BRTRehab-1907"/><ref name="NYCS-2001"/>

The easternmost two tracks were used by Brighton trains. The westernmost pair were used by Culver trains, which continued north along the Fifth Avenue elevated towards Downtown Brooklyn and City Hall in Manhattan.<ref name="StreetRR-CulverTerm-Jun1904"/><ref name="CulverDpt-1904"/><ref name="Cudahy2002" /><ref name="BklynEagle-NewCulver-May1904"/><ref name="RRGaz-BRTRehab-1907"/><ref name="NYCS-2001"/> At the south end of the platforms, gates were present to further segregate inbound and outbound passengers. Passengers were required to purchase tickets before boarding (unlike at other stations, where fares were collected on trains), via ticket booths in the passenger concourse designed to resemble an elevated car cab. At the north end of the elevated station was a dispatchers office, connected to the western outer platform. Further north was a signal and switch tower.<ref name="StreetRR-CulverTerm-Jun1904"/><ref name="CulverDpt-1904"/><ref name="Cudahy2002" /><ref name="BklynEagle-NewCulver-May1904"/><ref name="RRGaz-BRTRehab-1907"/><ref name="NYCS-2001"/> On the west side of the depot, there were five balloon loops for terminating streetcars.<ref name="StreetRR-CulverTerm-Jun1904">{{cite journal|title=An Improved Terminal For Handling the Heavy Coney Island Crowds–Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company|journal=Street Railway Journal|date=June 11, 1904|volume=23|issue=24|pages=884–888|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EqNPAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA880-IA2|access-date=September 4, 2016|publisher=McGraw Publishing Company}}</ref><ref name="CulverDpt-1904"/><ref name="BklynEagle-NewCulver-May1904">{{cite news|title=The Brooklyn Rapid Transit's New Culver Terminal|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/53413932/?terms=%22culver%27s%2Bdepot%22|access-date=September 2, 2016|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|via=Newspapers.com|date=May 15, 1904|page=8}}</ref><ref name="RRGaz-BRTRehab-1907">{{cite journal|title=The Rehabilitation of the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company|journal=Railroad Gazette|date=May 17, 1907|volume=42|issue=20|pages=670–673|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-I1MAAAAYAAJ&q=%22surf+avenue%22+%22trolley%22+%22depot%22&pg=PA671|access-date=September 2, 2016}}</ref><ref name="NYCS-2001">{{cite web |last=Feinman |first=Mark S. |title=www.nycsubway.org: Early Rapid Transit in Brooklyn, 1878–1913 |website=www.nycsubway.org |date=February 17, 2001 |url=http://www.nycsubway.org/wiki/Early_Rapid_Transit_in_Brooklyn,_1878-1913 |access-date=November 12, 2015}}</ref> Additional storage tracks for both elevated trains and streetcars were at the north end of the depot.<ref name="StreetRR-CulverTerm-Jun1904"/><ref name="CulverDpt-1904"/><ref name="BklynEagle-NewCulver-May1904"/><ref name="RRGaz-BRTRehab-1907"/><ref name="NYCS-2001"/>

===Transfers and attractions=== Surface trolley lines which served the depot included the Culver Line, Coney Island Plank Road Line, Smith Street Line, Vanderbilt Avenue Line, Court Street Line, Reid Avenue Line, and Union Street Line.<ref name="ConeyIsTerm-CIBkRR-1912" /><ref name="CISouvenir-1905"/><ref name="BklynEagle-CulverDpt-May1911">{{cite news|title=New Amusement Features of Surf Avenue; Coney Island and the Public Service Corporations|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/55206333/?terms=%22converge%2Bat%2Ba%2Bdepot%22|access-date=September 2, 2016|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|via=Newspapers.com|date=May 27, 1911|page=27}}</ref><ref name=BklynEagle-UticaTrolleyOpen-April1910>{{cite news|title=NEW TROLLEY ROAD; Extension Through Utica Avenue to Be Ready June 1; The Line Will Open Up a Big Territory of Borough With Shore Cut to Bay|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/58334632/?terms=%22utica%2Bavenue%22%2Btrolley%2B%22avenue%2Bn%22|access-date=January 18, 2016|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|via=Newspapers.com|date=April 3, 1910|page=24}}</ref><ref name="NYERA-Culver-May2010" />

Across from the station on the south side of Surf Avenue was Culver Plaza, illuminated by gas lights, and lined with grass and flower gardens. It featured several attractions and amenities including a carousel, the Ocean View and Prospect Hotels, and the {{convert|300|ft|m|adj=on}} Iron Tower or Observation Tower acquired from the 1876 Philadelphia Exposition.<ref name="Coney Island and Astroland" /><ref name="CISouvenir-1905"/><ref name="Coney Island Early">{{cite web |author=Stanton, Jeffrey |date=1997 |title=Coney Island — Early Years |website=Coney Island History Site |url=http://www.westland.net/coneyisland/articles/earlyhistory.htm |access-date=September 2, 2016}}</ref><ref name="Coney Island Hotels">{{cite web |author=Stanton, Jeffrey |date=1997 |title=Coney Island — Luxury Hotels |website=Coney Island History Site |url=http://www.westland.net/coneyisland/articles/luxuryhotels.htm |access-date=November 12, 2015}}</ref><ref name="BklynEagle-CulverDpt-Nov1930">{{cite news|last1=McLoughlin|first1=Maurice E.|title=Stories of Old Brooklyn: Old Coney Choo-Choo Gave Brooklyn Thrill|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/58228517/|access-date=September 2, 2016|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 11, 1930|page=19}}</ref>

The terminal and plaza were near several Coney Island attractions, most notably the Luna Park and Dreamland amusement parks, the latter of which was located adjacent and south of Culver Plaza on the current New York Aquarium site.<ref name=":4" /><ref name="FNY-Culver-2002"/><ref name="CISouvenir-1905">{{cite book|author1=W.J. Ennisson|title=Souvenir Guide to Coney Island: Where to Go, What to See, and How to Find it|date=1905|publisher=The Megaphone Press Company|url=https://archive.org/details/souvenirguidetoc00broo|access-date=September 4, 2016}}</ref>

==History== The depot was opened on July 27, 1875, to serve trains on the Prospect Park and Coney Island Railroad, a surface railroad popularly known as the ''Culver Line'' after its founder and long-time president, Andrew Culver.<ref name="Coney Island and Astroland" /><ref name="NYCS-2001"/><ref name="NYTimes-CulverDpt-Jan1923"/> After the introduction of electric trolley cars on the Culver Line in 1890,<ref name="NYTimes-CulverTrolley-Ap1956">{{cite news|title=City Trolley Cars Near End of Line: Transit Agency to Switch to Buses on Last 2 Runs in Brooklyn in Fall|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1956/04/20/121637908.pdf|access-date=September 5, 2016|work=The New York Times|date=April 20, 1956}}</ref> trolleys and elevated railway trains both used the station. It originally had only ground-level loading and unloading areas for passengers, shared by both rapid transit and streetcars.<ref name="StreetRR-CulverTerm-Jun1904"/>

In 1903, following the integration of the Culver line into the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company's operations, the Brighton Beach Line extended its tracks to access Culver Depot from Brighton Beach to the east.<ref name="Cudahy2002">{{cite book|author=Brian J. Cudahy|title=How We Got to Coney Island: The Development of Mass Transportation in Brooklyn and Kings County|url=https://archive.org/details/howwegottoconeyi0000cuda|url-access=registration|date=January 2002|publisher=Fordham University Press|isbn=978-0-8232-2208-7}}</ref> In early 1904, the terminal underwent extensive renovations to increase passenger capacity and speed operations. This included creating separate loading areas for elevated trains and streetcars. Switch and signal upgrades were performed by Union Switch & Signal.<ref name="StreetRR-CulverTerm-Jun1904"/><ref name="Cudahy2002"/><ref name="BklynEagle-NewCulver-May1904"/><ref name="RRGaz-BRTRehab-1907"/><ref name="CISouvenir-1905"/> Brighton trains left the station in 1919 to use the new elevated terminal at the Coney Island–Stillwell Avenue station, while stopping at the nearby West Eighth Street station.<ref name=":4"/><ref name=":7"/> On May 1, 1920, now-elevated Culver trains began using the new terminal,<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=http://forgotten-ny.com/2002/08/alls-well-thats-stillwell-a-trip-to-the-soon-demolished-stillwell-avenue-terminal-going-in-style-on-1925-vintage-d-type-triplexes/|title=OLD STILLWELL AVE. TERMINAL — Forgotten New York|last=Walsh|first=Kevin|date=August 2002|website=forgotten-ny.com|publisher=Forgotten NY|access-date=August 15, 2016}}</ref><ref name="NYERA-Culver-May2010">{{cite journal|title=NEW CULVER STRUCTURE IN SERVICE 90 YEARS NEW CULVER STRUCTURE IN SERVICE 90 YEARS AGO|journal=New York Division Bulletin|date=May 2010|volume=53|issue=5|pages=1, 4|url=https://issuu.com/erausa/docs/the_era_bulletin_2010-05|publisher=Electric Railroaders' Association}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite web|url=http://thethirdrail.net./0305/stillwell2.html|title=The New BMT Coney Island Terminal|last=Matus|first=Paul|date=May 2003|website=thethirdrail.net|page=2|access-date=August 15, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130629030844/http://thethirdrail.net/0305/stillwell2.html|archive-date=June 29, 2013}}</ref><ref>''The New York Times'', [https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB0C17FF3B5511738DDDA10A94DC405B808EF1D3 Coney Fare Cut Saturday], April 28, 1920, page 6</ref><ref>''The New York Times'', [https://www.nytimes.com/1920/05/01/archives/5cent-fare-to-coney-change-is-effective-today-on-br-t-elevated-and.html 5-Cent Fare to Coney], May 1, 1920, page 18</ref> while Culver Depot continued in use only for streetcars and freight from the South Brooklyn Railway.<ref name="NYERA-Culver-May2010"/><ref name=NYTimes-CulverDpt-Jul1922>{{cite news|title=Activity in Brooklyn|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1922/07/25/99043973.pdf|access-date=September 2, 2016|work=The New York Times|date=July 25, 1922}}</ref> The terminal was razed in January 1923.<ref name="NYTimes-CulverDpt-Jan1923">{{cite news|title=Culver Terminal Razed: Coney Island Gateway to Be Succeeded by Amusement Place|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1923/01/14/100818078.pdf|access-date=September 2, 2016|work=The New York Times|date=January 14, 1923}}</ref><ref name=BklynEagle-CulverDpt-Jan121923>{{cite news|title=Old Culver Depot at Coney Island Razed; Theater to Take Its Place|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/57091597/?terms=%22culver%27s%2Bdepot%22|access-date=September 2, 2016|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|via=Newspapers.com|date=January 12, 1923|page=19}}</ref> Plans for new developments on the site included a theater, a stadium, and a commercial block.<ref name=NYTimes-CulverDpt-Jul1922/><ref name=BklynEagle-CulverDpt-Jan121923/><ref>{{cite news|title=Stadium and Business Block Planned for Site of Old Culver Depot at Coney Island|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/59861510/?terms=%22culver%27s%2Bdepot%22|access-date=September 2, 2016|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 28, 1924|page=57}}</ref>

The Culver Depot was replaced by the adjacent Coney Island and Brooklyn Railroad depot, which served Culver streetcars until October 30, 1956.<ref name="Cudahy2002" /><ref name="NYTimes-CulverTrolley-Ap1956"/><ref>{{cite news|last1=Casey|first1=Leo|title=NYCTA 1956 Press Release|url=http://www.brooklynrail.net/pdf/PCC_demise_NYCTA_1956_Press_Release-1.pdf|access-date=September 1, 2016|work=New York City Transit Authority|date=October 30, 1956}}</ref> This facility was later used by the New York City Transit Authority as a bus depot until it closed on July 27, 1960.<ref name="NYTimes-FreshPdDpt-Jul1960">{{cite news|title=New City Garage Washes and Fuels Bus in 3 Minutes|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1960/07/27/119108710.pdf|access-date=September 1, 2016|work=The New York Times|date=July 27, 1960}}</ref> The site of Culver Depot is now occupied by some housing projects, specifically the Brightwater Towers and Trump Village West.<ref name="Coney Island and Astroland"/>

==References== {{Reflist|30em}}

==External links== {{Commons category|Culver Depot}} *[http://forgotten-ny.com/2003/02/culvers-travels-the-demolition-of-a-brooklyn-elevated-link/ CULVER’S TRAVELS. The demolition of a Brooklyn elevated link (Forgotten New York)] * [http://arrts-arrchives.com/cibrtterm.html Culver Terminal (Arrt's Arrchive)]

Category:Coney Island Category:Defunct Brooklyn–Manhattan Transit Corporation stations Category:Railway stations in Brooklyn Category:Streetcar lines in Brooklyn Category:Buildings and structures demolished in 1923