Built by the New York Central Railroad between 1929 and 1934, the High Line lifted dangerous freight trains off Manhattan streets. Originally extending to the St. John's Park Terminal at Clarkson Street, it carried meat, produce, and much of the region's mail into nearby warehouses and factories. The Spur, a block-long offshoot at 10th Avenue and 30th Street, provided direct rail service to the United States Postal Service Morgan Processing and Distribution Center. As trucking replaced rail as New York City's primary freight system, the line fell into disuse, and the last train ran in 1980. In 1999, when demolition threatened the structure, neighborhood residents Joshua David and Robert Hammond formed Friends of the High Line to advocate for its preservation and reuse. In 2005, the City of New York secured the High Line south of 30th Street, though the section at the Rail Yards remained uncertain. A campaign to save the Spur began in 2008, and in 2012, after years of community effort, CSX Transportation donated the remaining portion for public use. Preservation of the full original structure reflected the vision and commitment of community members, civic and private partners, the City of New York, and NYC Parks.
