One of the huge challenges I faced when writing about the 1910s was figuring out how people got around New York. When I go to New York, I generally take the subway — or walk! I love to walk the streets of the city. I think all that walking around is the reason my 80-year-old brother is healthier than many 40 year olds!

I went to the NY Public Library and found quite a bit of info, including this which related directly to Louisa — as she and her mother move to a brownstone in Harlem:

But I still had so many questions. For one thing, Louisa has to leave Grand Central after midnight. Did the trains run at the hour? I finally was able to go to the Transit Museum in Brooklyn — if you are at all interested in NY history, this place is fascinating. I got to see so many old subway cars, photos of construction and even go through an old turnstile. To actually sit on the wicker seats helped me imagine Louisa and Ellen as they would go places.

One thing hasn’t changed much! Even back then they had ads in the subway cars:

But the biggest help of all was when one of the staff members of the museum offered to read an early draft of the book to make sure all my references to subways were accurate. People think writing a book is a solitary activity, and it is. But we also rely on the kindness of strangers.

Book Recommendation: 

If you haven’t ever read it, I highly recommend Time and Again by Jack Finney. It’s a time travel book that takes place in NYC. One of my faves!

Thanks for reading. As always, let me know if you have any comments or questions.