New York City Subway Tiles
29 March 2025
The New York City Subway system opened officially in late 1904 with 28 stations. By 1924 there were about 120 stations, by the 1950’s there were 445, and now there are 472 active stations. Many of the early stations are still lined with their original tiles, while others have been partially or completely renovated.
In 1965 the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) was created by the New York State legislation as a public benefit corporation responsible for public transportation in the New York City metropolitan area. At some point the MTA began stockpiling, and then selling discarded items and surplus materials. The sales offered a variety of objects including signs, signals, benches, and equipment, as well as tiles. With a steady flow of materials from ongoing renovations and general maintenance systemwide, tiles from all time periods have shown up at local flea markets, salvage, and antique stores.
Stairwells, entries, and platforms are often lined with white tiles, and a common backdrop for decorative elements, station identification, and mosaic installations, even in the earliest station designs. Other tiles are more rare, as with those of stations prior to 1942 which were color coded. Since then there have been a variety of shapes, colors, and materials that can be traced back to a specific station or line.
NOTES -
We are now offering Subway Tile Coasters from MTA Surplus (Metropolitan Transit Authority). The four raw ceramic sides and underside have been sealed with reflection paint, and we’ve added durable rubber bumpers - ready to be under a plant, spatula, candle, hot pan, or a cool cocktail.
Ceramic subway tiles (early 1900’s)
Current white ceramic tile
