1985: The Debut of an Argentine Rapid Transit Station Known for Its Wooden Escalators

October 7, 1985

Emilio Mitre station on Line E of the Buenos Aires Underground rapid transit system (Subterráneo de Buenos Aires) first went into service. With its opening, this station in Argentina’s capital and largest city replaced José María Moreno station as the western terminus of Line E. José María station had held that distinction since 1973. Emilio Mitre station’s stint as the western terminus of Lone E was considerably shorter; only 24 days after being opened, it was replaced by Medalla Milagrosa station as an endpoint for that line.

Emilio Mitre station was built beneath Chacabuco Park, a large green space and public park in that section of south-central Buenos Aires. The name selected for the station comes from a major street that is adjacent to where that facility is located. This street, in turn, was named after a prominent Argentine engineer, journalist, and public official. Emilio Mitre (1853-1909) established himself as one of his country’s leading authorities on large-scale public works projects and priorities.

The key features of Emilio Mitre station include its escalators. This station is the only known facility in South America to have wooden escalators still in operation. The only other known public venues worldwide where wooden escalators remain in use are Town Hall railway station in Sydney, Australia; St. Anna’s Tunnel in Antwerp, Belgium; the Maastunnel in the Dutch city of Rotterdam; and the Manhattan-based Macy’s Herald Square, the largest department store in the United States.

In addition, Emilio Mitre station is home to a total of five paintings created by Argentine artist Patricia Di Loreto (born in 1970). These works of hers were first displayed at the station in 2015.

Photo Credit: Public Domain

For more information on Emilio Mitre station, please check out https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emilio_Mitre_(Buenos_Aires_Underground)

Additional information on Line E of the Buenos Aires Underground (Subterráneo de Buenos Aires) is available at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Line_E_(Buenos_Aires_Underground)