A Field Guide to New York City Manhole Covers


RTS

Rapid Transit Subway

cover image

Rapid Transit Subway Construction Co.

Emerging from the tangle of business and political machinations that would put today's crypto bros to shame, August Belmont's Rapid Transit Company (soon to become the Interboro Rapid Transit Company or IRT) received the permits and the money to build and operate the first NYC underground railway in 1900. Belmont incorporated a separate company, the Rapid Transit Subway Construction Company (RTS), to undertake the building side of the contract.

DESIGN:

The rings of rectangular nubs seen on this cover are found on a number of other covers thoughout the city. The central cogged wheel is a bit more unusual.

UTILITY:

The exact usage of this cover is unclear to a passerby.

RANGE:

This cover is in Foley Square, close to the start of construction at City Hall. Other variants of the RTS tag can be found all along the route of the original line from City Hall to 145th St.

Related Images Follow


Don Burmeister -- Photographs