Park Street Station

Posted: 10.21.2019 | Updated: 02.01.2025

The Park Street Station is located on the Green And Red Lines of the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority subway in Boston, Massachusetts. Best known by locals as the “T”, the subway is used by thousands of riders on a daily basis.

With so many coming to and from the trains are either heading home or going to work. Of course, let’s not forget the tourists that flock from the world over to take in the historic sites that marked America’s early history.

During the day, when the T is busy with commuters, most people don’t think about the paranormal activity that could be happening right under their noses. However, Park Street Station is one location on the T where such activity has been reported.

But is it really that haunted? We will discuss the history of the Park Street Station and tell the story that may be linked to the apparent hauntings of one of the busiest stations on the MBTA system.

Looking for spooky things to do in Boston? Book a haunted walking tour with Boston Ghosts and hear their haunting tales up close.

Why Is Park Street Station In Boston Haunted?

Park Street Station isn’t just one of the busiest stops on Boston’s subway—it’s also one of the most haunted. As one of the oldest subway stations in America, it has seen generations of travelers come and go, but some spirits may have never left.

Passengers have reported eerie whispers, ghostly figures on empty platforms, and sudden cold spots that send shivers down the spine. Some say these hauntings date back to a deadly gas explosion that rocked the station years ago, while others believe the spirits of past commuters still linger, waiting for a train that will never arrive.

Read on to uncover the chilling history of Park Street Station!

Early Years

The Park Street Station began operations on September 3, 1897, as part of the Tremont Street Subway system. It was designed to connect the southern half of the subway with the Public Garden Incline and Boylston Station. A month later, the Pleasant Street Portal was added, with 4 tracks and 2 boarding platforms.

In the years that followed, the Park Street Tunnel was extended to serve more stations in the MBTA system. Some trains would travel to the end of the line and then loop back in the opposite direction. Park Street even had a loop that allowed trains coming from the south and west to reverse their course.

As time went on, the station, along with others, underwent renovations. In the early 1900s, tracks were elevated and retrofitted with wooden sections. In 1964, Park Street became part of the MBTA, and the system continued to undergo regular upgrades to keep the subway running smoothly across the city.

Today, Park Street is planning on making major improvements that will be estimated at around $12 million. One of the planned events as part of this renovation is the potential re-opening of the Temple Place entrance of the station which had been closed since 1976.

Is It Really Haunted?

While there are well over 130 stations within the MBTA subway system, the Park Street Station stands out for one strange reason. Apparently, the station itself might be haunted.

More specifically, many of the passengers that have frequented the station have reportedly heard the sounds of wailing and moaning time and time again. Some have said that it might have been the spirits of past passengers that had grown weary of the day to day commute from home to work.

Park Street was one of the major stations that served the Red Line, which typically had stops in notable parts of the city including South Station and places that have employed scores of people (i.e. Mass General Hospital, Harvard University, etc.)

Most of the passengers “moaning and groaning” was in all likelihood travelers of the red line in general complaining about the day that lied ahead (or what had occurred). If anything, you may encounter a spirit that might be complaining about how it was just another bad day at the office.

Other passengers have said to have felt some strange presences over the years. How could it be possible for a subway station (albeit one of the busiest in the city of Boston) to have some kind of paranormal activity going on with so many people coming and going from the station?

While it might not be confirmed at this point, some have said that the spirits may be that of the victims of those who had died in a tragic event not at Park Street Station, but at the next station over- the Boylston Street Station.

The 1897 Explosion

In 1897, the station was the sight of a gas explosion that had occurred just prior to Park Street officially opening up. Before the disaster, many citizens had complained about the smell of gas since December 1896.

On March 1897 the explosion occurred. Evidence pointed to a clock stopping at 11:46 AM, which would determine the time of the incident. Other clocks reportedly stopped due to the amount of shock that is absorbed from the explosion.

The cause of the explosion was said to be a mix of air and gas mixing together. What may have ignited it was a passing train was leaving the station. A spark may have flown and therefore setting the stage for a disaster.

A train car was quickly engulfed in flames, killing almost everyone instantly. As a result, six people were killed along with nearly 60 to 70 people dealing with serious injuries.

An investigation revealed that a large break in the gas main caused the gas leakage. Despite the various complaints, the gas company may have rectified the situation much sooner. This lead to the question of whether or not they had honored or even ignored the complaints.

More than $40,000 (over $1 million in 2019 valuation) in damage was reported. Charred train cars and broken windows were accounted for a good chunk of the damage.

Whether the station or the nearby areas are haunted is unclear. But if you hear moaning and wailing like other passengers have reported, it’s worth noting.

But don’t chalk it up as an apparent paranormal event without any other verification or evidence, since those sounds may come from a mortal rather than a spirit. These days, it could be hard to distinguish.

Is The Station Worth Visiting?

Since it is a public transit station, it is worth visiting if you’re passing through, getting on the train, or departing it. But it might seem a little weird at first to go to a subway station simply in search of ghosts. Yet, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep your eyes and ears peels for anything that might seem out of the ordinary.

If you are traveling to Boston or live in the area, you may want to check it out in your spare time (or if you use the station for commuting purposes). But there is no guarantee as to whether or not you’ll be able to encounter any spirits or paranormal activity along the way.

But if anything, there is actually an unused tunnel that was once part of the Subway. While it’s no longer in service, you might be able to find it on your own or via a tour (if you manage to land a spot).

Haunted Boston

The Park Street Station might be haunted to some. But it might just be a rumor for many people. If you so choose to visit the station, it might be important to use your better judgment. Sometimes, it might be good to strike a conversation with someone who might know a thing or two about the station.

If you seem to strike out when it comes to finding paranormal happenings at this subway station, do not despair. There are plenty of places throughout Beantown that just might be more appealing to you. And they just might be close to the station rather than a long hike away. But regardless, make the most out of your Boston paranormal adventure if you dare.

Hauntings, history, and horror—our blog has it all! But for the full experience, book a Boston Ghosts tour and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for more eerie updates!

Sources:

1. https://www.mbta.com/history
2. https://www.bostonintransit.com/products/pleasant-street-portal-of-the-tremont-street-subway-september-7-1897
3. http://www.celebrateboston.com/disasters/tremont-street-explosion.htm
4. https://cvltnation.com/the-infernal-hole-and-the-unsettled-dead-the-cursed-project-to-build-americas-first-subway-system/