157th Street was first opened on a temporary basis on October 29, 1904, at which point it was still incomplete. The station was used to allow passengers to get fans to a football game heading to the Yale–Columbia football game at the Polo Grounds. At the time, the original northern terminal of the original IRT was 145th Street, the next station south. 157th Street was formally opened on November 12, 1904. This station was the first to be added to the subway following the opening of the original 28 stations. The station's opening was delayed by two weeks because there was still painting and plastering work going on in the station. 157th Street thus became the terminal for trains not going via the IRT Lenox Avenue Line. The terminal of 157th Street had facilities for switching trains, relieving congestion at 96th Street. On March 12, 1906, the IRT was extended from 157th Street to 221st Street. Shuttle trains served the new extension terminating at 157th Street, meaning that passengers south of 157th Street wanting to go to stations on the extension had to transfer at 157th Street. On May 30, 1906, express trains began running through to 221st Street, eliminating the need to transfer at this station.
Platform extensions
In 1948, platforms on the IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line from 103rd Street to 238th Street were lengthened to to allow full ten-car express trains to stop at this station. Previously, the station could only hold six-car local trains. The platform extensions were opened in stages. On April 6, 1948, the platform extension opened for stations from 103rd Street to Dyckman Street, with the exception of 125th Street.
Station layout
This station has two tracks and two side platforms, which are narrow, even by IRT standards. The platforms contain their original trim line that includes "157" mosaics and name tablets reading "157TH ST." There are also directional signs on the tiles containing white lettering on a black background and brown border. Both platforms have tiled columns that run along the entire length and contain "157" painted in black. Some of the columns separating the two tracks have "157" signs in black letting on white borders.
Exits
Each platform has one same-level fare control area near the middle. Both are fully staffed, containing a turnstile bank and token booth, and each has two street stairs. The northbound side's two exits lead to the southeast corner of 157th Street and Broadway, and the southbound side's two exits lead to the northwest corner of the intersection. There are no crossovers or crossunders to allow free transfers between directions. Only the South Ferry-bound side token booth is staffed.
