1903 – Transit Traffic In New York City As Seen By Harry Grant Dart

Satire from artist Harry Grant Dart showing what he captioned “The luxury of travel in New York.” (click illustration to see details).

The cartoon is from the January 22, 1903 Life magazine. The subway was still more than a year away from opening. The situation on the four New York elevated train lines was one of delays and large crowds. But obviously, Grant is exaggerating the overflow of people at the el station, on the trains, and in the streets. But with no traffic signals and thousands of pedestrians, trolleys, delivery vehicles and crowding of trains, getting around the city could be challenging.

Tony Sarg Grand Central

Grant was an expert in rendering crowd scenes and lampooning what he perceived as New York’s flaws.

Carl Rose © The New Yorker

Grant’s drawing style and perspective pre-dates future New Yorker magazine cartoonists Carl Rose and Gluyas Williams and may have influenced illustrator Tony Sarg.

The absurd situation of masses of people riding the roofs of trains and struggling for space underscores the problem of early twentieth century traffic congestion. But there’s so much going on that you may not notice the signage throughout. Modern New Yorkers can relate to the problems pointed out over 120 years ago. Here is what those signs say.

Advertisement for newspaper with latest headline of commuter woes.

Real estate sign on building enticing people to suburbs, but warning of transit delays.

The el management telling dissatisfied passengers what they can do if they don’t like the service.

Today, while there is no sign for crowded trains, but you will hear the conductor make a similar announcement.

Don’t push to get upstairs.

The restaurant catering to the habitually late el rider promises a meal just like home.