New York City mayor John Francis Hylan's original plans for the Independent Subway System (IND), proposed in 1922, included building over 100 miles (160 km) of new lines.

On December 9, 1924, the New York City Board of Transportation (BOT) gave preliminary approval for the construction of the IND Eighth Avenue Line.

[11] Both platforms have no trim line, but name tablets read "103RD ST." in white sans-serif lettering on a midnight blue background and black border.

Blue columns run along both platforms at regular intervals with every other one having the standard black station name plate in white numbering.

The fare control area with stairs to West 104th Street was closed by 1940[14] and possibly as early as November 1932 - just two months after the opening of the station - due to frequent vandalism.