PCC streetcar at the station in 1980 The station was built by the
Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company (PRT), and for the first two years formed part of a subway–surface trolley loop operating underground between and the Schuylkill River. In 1907, the
Market Street subway–elevated line was completed from 15th Street to .
11,
31,
34,
37 and
38. Route 31 was removed from the subway in 1949 because PTC could no longer detour the line around the subway extension construction. Since Route 31’s routing was hit the most with line running on Market Street, PTC converted the line into a West Philadelphia Shuttle from 46th & Market streets to 70th & Lansdowne until conversion to bus on June 19, 1956. Route 37 was replaced by Elmwood Avenue’s Route 36 and the Westinghouse routing was absorbed in November 6, 1955. Route 38 was converted to bus on the same day the eastbound portion of the subway extension opened on October 15, 1955. Route
13 was added to the subway surface tunnel on September 9, 1956 when Chestnut and Walnut streets rail service was converted to bus on September 8, 1956. Route 13’s partner Route 42 did not receive the same treatment as Route 13 and simply converted to bus. Route
36 replaced Route 37 in the subway surface tunnel on November 6, 1955. Routes 10, 11 & 34 were simply rerouted into the new subway portals at 36th & Ludlow streets (Route 10) and 40th Street & Woodland Avenue (Routes 11 & 34) on October 15, 1955. == Station layout ==