During the late 1970s and early 1980s, New York City’s subway system was not only a vital transportation network but also one of the most dangerous places in the city. As the heart of a rapidly decaying urban environment, the subway became a symbol of the city’s struggles with crime, poverty, and social upheaval. In the midst of this chaotic landscape, Swiss photographer Willy Spiller captured a raw, atmospheric series of photographs that have since become iconic under the name Hell On Wheels.

The Dangerous Era of New York’s Subway System (1970s-1980s)

In the late 20th century, New York was grappling with a multitude of problems. The city was financially troubled, crime rates were soaring, and the subway system had become synonymous with danger. By the early 1980s, incidents of violent crime within the subway system were so high that the New York Police Department (NYPD) had deployed over 2,300 officers to patrol the underground trains around the clock. The subway was a place where passengers could encounter not only the typical challenges of city travel but also the ever-present threat of violence.

The late 70s and early 80s were marked by an increasing sense of lawlessness in the city, a feeling captured vividly in Spiller’s photos. Gang activity, rampant graffiti, and a general sense of insecurity permeated the subway stations, turning them into dark and dangerous realms. For many, the subway represented the worst of what New York had become during this period of decline.

Video

Check out the video for a special on NYC subway graffiti, featured on CBS News’ 30 Minutes in 1980!

Willy Spiller: A Unique Eye on the Underground World

While most New Yorkers at the time were focused on surviving the gritty, harsh conditions of the city, Willy Spiller, a Swiss photographer living in the city, took a different approach. He was not just another local trying to navigate through the chaos; instead, Spiller brought the fresh perspective of an outsider, fascinated by the energy, rush, and rawness of the subway. His curiosity led him to document the everyday lives of commuters and the unique culture of the subway with his camera.

Spiller’s photos from this period are more than just snapshots of a crime-ridden city. They offer a window into the vibrant, almost surreal world of New York’s underground. The subway at that time was a mix of danger, creativity, and rebellion, with gang members marking their territories, and graffiti artists turning the train cars into mobile canvases. It was a space where music—especially the early rap scene—began to take root, and where iconic cultural movements emerged in response to the chaos surrounding them.

Hell On Wheels: A Colorful, Soulful Document of New York City

Spiller’s work in the subway is a testament to the gritty, soulful character of New York City at its most tumultuous. The series of images, later dubbed Hell On Wheels, is a vivid and emotional journey through the city’s underground during one of its most dangerous periods. The photos are not just documentation; they are a poetic tribute to the city and its people, capturing the vibrancy and resilience of individuals living in the face of adversity.

The photographer’s approach is artistic, capturing not just the harshness of the environment but also the beauty found in the chaos. Whether it’s the neon-lit tunnels, the powerful rush of commuters, or the intense emotions on the faces of passengers, Spiller’s photographs immortalize an era of the subway that is both haunting and beautiful.

A Rise in Crime and the Role of the Subway

The rising crime rate in New York during this period was a direct consequence of the city’s economic and social challenges. The subway, which was once a relatively safe mode of transportation, had become a hotspot for crime. From muggings to assaults, the underground system was no longer just a means of getting from one place to another; it was a battleground for survival.

As crime continued to rise, the city’s response was to increase police presence within the subway system. The NYPD’s efforts to quell the violence included assigning more officers to patrol the tunnels and stations, and yet, the problem persisted. In the face of all this danger, Spiller ventured into the subway to document what he saw. His photos reveal a different side of the story—one where ordinary people continued to live, work, and navigate this harsh environment with determination and resilience.

Hell On Wheels: Rediscovered Glory

Although the Hell On Wheels series was first published in 1984, its significance and impact were rediscovered in 2016 when it was reissued in a limited-edition hardcover format. The new edition brought Spiller’s work to a wider audience, offering a more detailed and colorful look at the subway system’s complex and dangerous past. The stunning photographs, printed on high-quality paper, allowed viewers to fully appreciate the power and beauty of Spiller’s work.

Dr. Tobia Bezzola, who wrote the foreword for the 2016 edition, describes the images not as a chronicle of crime and darkness but as a vivid portrayal of a unique world. “Willy Spiller doesn’t discover darkness in the underground but rather an idiosyncratic, vivid realm of its own,” Bezzola writes. This perspective highlights Spiller’s ability to find beauty in the most unlikely places, turning the subway from a symbol of urban decay into a vibrant, living canvas.

Video

Watch the video to find out why the NYC subway system is such a mess!

Conclusion: A Timeless Look at New York’s Past

Willy Spiller’s photographs from the 1970s and 1980s serve as both a historical record and a work of art. Through his lens, we are transported back to a time when the New York subway system was at its most dangerous, yet also at its most vibrant and full of life. The Hell On Wheels series immortalizes not just the risks and challenges of the time but also the resilience and spirit of the people who lived through it. It’s a powerful reminder of how art can capture the essence of a place and time, turning even the darkest periods into something worthy of remembrance and reflection.

Spiller’s work continues to inspire, offering a glimpse into a New York City that was both chaotic and captivating, where danger and beauty coexisted in the underground tunnels of the subway system.