Washington, D.C.'s Metro: History, Design, and Why It's Called "America's Last Great Subway System"

Washington, D.C.'s Metro, the last great American subway system, boasts a unique design and grand architecture.

### Washington, D.C.'s Metro: America's Last Great Subway System
* 🗺️ The video explores why Washington, D.C.'s Metro is considered "America's last great subway system," comparing it to other systems like New York City's and London's.
* 🚂 The D.C. Metro's unique design, inspired by the London Underground but built decades later, is a key focus.  The deep stations, often requiring long escalators or elevators, are highlighted.
* 🏛️  The history of the D.C. Metro's development is traced, from initial proposals in the 1950s to its opening in 1976, emphasizing the political and logistical challenges.  The influence of architects like Roy Chuck and Harry Weese is mentioned.
* 🇺🇸 The video contrasts the D.C. Metro's construction with the earlier development of subway systems in other American cities like Boston and New York.
* 📏 The D.C. Metro boasts the longest escalator in the Western Hemisphere, a **230-foot-long** ride, showcasing the scale of its design.  Deep stations, like Forest Glen at **196 feet**, are also noted.
* 🏙️  The architectural design, characterized by **uniformity, security, and a contemporary art style**, is praised for its functionality and aesthetic appeal.  The open design, lack of corners, and consistent lighting are highlighted.
* 🎨 The video mentions the transformation of graffiti into art murals in some stations, adding to the overall aesthetic.
* 👍 The narrator, Jose, strongly recommends using the D.C. Metro, emphasizing its beauty and efficiency.

As I travel across America, one of my favorite methods of transportation to get around cities is by train. Now, a

Metro system isn't always available in the many places that we visit, but when it is, you know for certain I'll be

jumping around stations. I'm no stranger to the Metro, as I grew up in New York City, and almost all of

our tours across the five boroughs have been a subway series. We've taken the metro in cities like Boston, Philadelphia,

and even across the country in Los Angeles. But one of the Metro systems that stands out to me is the one in

America's capital, the Washington, D.C. Metro, a system I visited plenty of times that services the whole DMV area—that's

D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. So I put my curious mind to work as I toured the neighborhoods of Washington, D.C.

I'm Jose, and I'm on a mission to better understand why Washington, D.C.'s Metro is called America's last great subway

system. [Music] This is the Metro system of Washington, D.C.'s Chinatown, one of many Chinese-inspired stations across the country.

It's partly what inspired me to dive into the history of the D.C. Metro. When I visited other Chinatown stations

throughout America, I noticed something different about the one in D.C. The first thing was the distance from above ground

to the actual train platform. In some instances, you have to take multiple escalators, and it feels like an endless

walk. The second thing was the design. Almost all of Washington's Metro stations have a similar architecture, but to better understand the uniqueness

of the D.C. Metro, we have to go back to the beginning of the subway system. [Music] Our study begins across the Atlantic

Ocean, to England and the London Underground, the very first subway system. The London Underground shares so many similarities to that of D.C.'s Metro.

The London Underground opened in 1863, becoming the world's first underground passenger railway, although above-ground trains and platforms had already been in service for over 60 years.

The rapid growth from the Industrial Revolution led to considering a different rail archetype. London was growing rapidly, increasing daily commuters to the city.

Between horse-drawn cabs and omnibuses, the roads were constantly congested. The city was experiencing an uptick in traffic.

Charles Pearson, a Member of Parliament, began pitching the idea of a central railway system for London. Pearson wanted to create a system accessed by tunnels, opening usage to multiple train companies and expanding current rail lines.

Immediately after hearing Pearson's idea, the audience rejected it. England's Parliament felt the project would be too expensive and disruptive for the growing city.

From Pearson's proposal in 1846, it took six years to gain enough capital.  In 1852, Charles' vision made headlines; he was determined to usher in the future of London's transportation.

Pearson formed the City Terminus Company and put a railway at King's Cross. At the same time, the Metropolitan Railway Company was founded.

The Metropolitan company pursued connecting Paddington Station to King's Cross, a two-and-a-half-mile stretch of rail beneath London, passing below Park Square (opened in 1823).

Building the rail would be disruptive to the city. Both the Metropolitan Railway Company and Charles Pearson's company took their ideas to Parliament.

The Met company's proposal was approved, while Pearson's idea was again rejected.

same reason: too costly and complex to build, so Pearson returned a year later with a shorter line that was finally approved

in 1854. There's a lot of in-between politics that occurred during this period, but the

full unveiling of the Metropolitan Railway came in 1863. Unfortunately, Charles Pearson had passed away

three months before the unveiling of his life's greatest invention. [Music] Back in America, the Metro system took

off, and soon after, Boston, Massachusetts, unveiled the very first metro in the states: a mile-and-a-half trolley line

that first opened to the public in 1895. Before long, underground subway systems popped up all over the country, including

New York City, which boasts America's largest metro system at a staggering 299 miles of rail line. But Washington, D.C.'s

Metro wasn't unveiled until 1976, decades after many large American cities had already been operating with Metros.

With so many commuters working in the federal area and the congested traffic of Washington, D.C.'s freeways, it was only

a matter of time before D.C. developed its own subway system. [Music] Washington, D.C., had a system of

private buses and streetcars, as we still find in the repurposed Dupont Underground art venue.

Plans for creating an underground Metro in the Washington, D.C., area began in the early 1950s. As the city expanded its

freeway system, the installation of a Metro system came as a result of urban planning. By this time, across America, most people were

using cars for transportation, so city planners were tasked to create more freeways and highways. This further congested traffic in the

Washington, D.C., area, leading to an extensive period of politics and acquiring rail and streetcar lines to

Designing a perfect system for the metro area; many people have been involved in the project, dating back to as early as the 1930s.

And even landing on the desks of several presidents, but with so much changeover, Congress finally appointed architect Roy

Chuck to oversee the development of the Washington Metro. He had to replace all streetcars with buses by 1963.

In 1962, there was a proposal to develop a rail system in the capital. The newly formed institution called the National

Capital Transportation Agency. This new system was challenged by the highway commission, which the rail planners lost, leading to a reduction of the original

track proposal. President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the National Capital Transportation Act of 1965, which authorized the construction of 25 miles

of rail track. By 1965 and 1966, respectively, both Maryland and Virginia had signed on

along with Washington, D.C., to create a regional interstate compact. This allowed the extension of the rail system to

cross state borders. So in 1969, we entered the moment the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority broke ground.

Washington, D.C., is one of the most beautiful subway systems in America, and now that Dupont Circle station has been

decommissioned, we're left with this amazing subway station. So why is Washington, D.C.'s Metro considered the last great American

subway system? Well, that's simple: it was the last one to be created in America. In doing so, the experience meant it would

be grandiose. Chicago-born architect Harry Weese was tasked with designing Washington's forthcoming rail system. Weese had

uniformity and security in mind when laying out his blueprint. Let's analyze the design of the Washington Metro. For

the minor exception of some stations, the entrance to these hubs can become a long trail underground. Here at Dupont Circle station, it's a 188-foot

escalator ride. I mentioned this in a lot of videos: I'm terrified of heights, so if you look

behind me—yeah, I'm trying not to look back—but that's the story for a lot of these

stations in Washington, D.C. Well, I'm here. Let's go! Let's go! I can finally move my feet. Like I said, I

wasn't trying to look back, but gorgeous subway station, by the way. We're in a station in the DMV.  The Metro line contains the

longest escalator in the Western Hemisphere—a remarkable 230-foot-long escalator to get to the train.  Classes

look at that deep descent!  To some of these Metro stations is because of the different geography and topography of extending

rail lines to three different territories. D.C. itself has a mixed geography of hills, and as we get closer

to the core of the capital and areas like Arlington and Alexandria in Virginia, we start nearing sea level. Then

we have a station like Forest Glen in Maryland; it's such a deep station, at 196 feet, that you could only access the

platform by elevator. [Music] Once we're in the station, we have to look at the design: the grand canvas, with

its curvature, makes up the uniformity of Reese's blueprint—a contemporary art style with patterned ceilings. Focus on

functionality; the walls are spread out from passenger reach to reduce the facing, like found all over subway systems in other great

cities. I'm looking at you, New York City, and my second home of Philadelphia. And don't even get me started on Chicago!

[Music] Hey, is that Kanye West? One of the things that many of these cities have done is turn the graffiti

into beautiful art murals. [Music] The station is supposed to be one long, unobstructed design without any corners.

to hide the pillars or block the view, just a long layout where you can see from end to end

There's also no direct sunlight throughout these stations, with the only lighting being on the rail track. If you

look at these stations with the same eyes as someone who grew up in a city with a traditional metro system, it

definitely looks futuristic in comparison, earning that moniker of the last great subway system. [Music]

[Music] I highly recommend taking the metro. A lot of these stations kind of look familiar; they have the same design. I mean,

they're gorgeous. That's why I say it's one of the most beautiful subway stations in America. I'm Jose, and I thank you for joining me

on this deep dive to discover the origins of the Washington Metro. If you've enjoyed this video, please give it

a like and share. If you want to see more in the capital region, please stay tuned for the following video. Until next time,

How the Washington DC Metro Became AMERICA'S BEST METRO!

Jose On Tour

Introduction: Jose's Experience with Metro Systems

Jose prefers using trains for city travel.

He uses metro systems whenever available.

He grew up in NYC and frequently uses subways.

He's used metros in Boston, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles.

He highlights the Washington D.C. Metro as exceptional.

Comparing D.C.'s Chinatown Station to Others

Notes differences in other Chinatown stations.

Highlights the distance from street level to platform.

Points out the long walk and multiple escalators.

Observes the unique architectural design of D.C. stations.

Historical Context: The London Underground

The video starts with the London Underground's history.

Similarities between London Underground and D.C. Metro.

London Underground opened in 1863 as the world's first.

Rapid growth and increased commuters led to its creation.

Charles Pearson's initial proposal and its rejection.

Pearson's persistence and the eventual approval.

Formation of companies and initial rail line construction.

Spread of underground systems across the country.

NYC's large metro system mentioned for comparison.

D.C.'s Metro unveiled much later in 1976.

Congested traffic necessitated a metro system.

Early planning in the 1950s and urban planning influence.

Increased car usage and traffic congestion.

Long process involving numerous individuals and presidents.

Roy Chuck's role in overseeing development.

The National Capital Transportation Agency's proposal.

President Johnson's act authorizing rail track construction.

Interstate compact allowing cross-state rail extension.

Why D.C.'s Metro is Considered 'The Last Great'

It was the last major American metro system built.

This allowed for a grand and well-planned design.

Harry Weese's design emphasizing uniformity and security.

Analysis of the design, including long escalators.

Features the longest escalator in the Western Hemisphere.

Deep stations due to varied geography and topography.

Station design: grand canvas, curved architecture, and patterned ceilings.

Functionality: walls placed out of passenger reach.

Unobstructed design without corners, long layout.

No direct sunlight, lighting only on rail tracks.

Futuristic look compared to traditional metro systems.