End of an Era as Last Payphone in NYC Removed

By: Yehuda Alter 

The transition happened slowly, unnoticeably, as payphones—once the only way we could maintain contact with family or business associates from the busy streets of New York—were deemed a relic of the past and removed from our streets. 

Those above a certain age will recall rushing to the phone booth, dropping in a quarter (or a dime, or a nickel, depending on their age) and being connected with another party. 

Beginning in 2015, the city realized that payphones were becoming obsolete, and began phasing them out. 

But Monday marked the official end of this era, as the payphone outside 745 7th Avenue—the last one on public property in New York City—was removed, to be placed in the museum of analog. 

Our children will likely not recognize this feature of city life that has been such an important aspect of our lives for so long. To learn more about it, they will need to visit the museum.