[3][4][5] The Fulton Street subway was the city-owned Independent System (IND)'s main line from Downtown Brooklyn to southern Queens.

[3] Further construction past the line's initial terminal at Rockaway Avenue was delayed by funding problems due to the Great Depression in the 1930s.

[6][8][9] At the time, work on the section that included the Shepherd Avenue station was more than 99% complete, but vital equipment had yet to be installed, precluding its opening.

[7] Construction resumed on the extension of the Fulton Street Line in November 1946,[10][11] following the conclusion of the war and the allocation of funds obtained by Mayor William O'Dwyer.

Small tile captions reading "SHEPHERD" in white lettering on dark periwinkle run under the trim line, and directional signs in the same style are present under some of the name tablets.