New Yorkers will always love Dolly Parton. This was proven overnight in the NYC Transit system when fans changed an underground subway sign in Lower Manhattan from Fulton Street to “Dolly Parton Street” as a tribute to the Queen of Country following her death at age 80 on Tuesday.
Although the MTA removed the unauthorized signage from the station by Wednesday afternoon, the agency has previously shown its affection for Parton, who was born in Locust Ridge, TN, when it issued a rhinestone-themed MetroCard in honor of her greatest hits album in 2022.
The Dolly Parton MetroCard from 2022.Marc A. Hermann / MTA
Though the Dolly Parton Street sign did not stay up very long, New York continues to pay tribute to Parton in ways only New York can. The Empire State Building lit up in a pink sparkle, reminiscent of her signature rhinestone wardrobe, on Tuesday night.
The IFC movie theater wrote a special message for Parton on its iconic 6th Avenue marquee: “Dolly Parton 1946-2026 IFC Will Always Love You.”
And of course, at Fulton (Dolly Parton) Street, commuters told amNewYork they welcomed the tribute to the country legend, whose music and influence spanned generations.
Ryan Pagano, who uses the Fulton Street station almost daily to get to work, said he was “very sad” to learn of Parton’s death but appreciated the transit tribute to the beloved singer.
“The fact that this tribute is up here in a station I pretty much use five days a week, it’s definitely pretty cool to see,” he said. “I wouldn’t call myself a diehard fan per se, but I respected all the work that she did, not just with her music career, but also being such a humanitarian back in Tennessee as well. Seeing all those efforts and really just seeing that she’s more than a musician. That’s the type of stuff I really appreciate.”
Pagano also said he would not mind the sign becoming a permanent fixture.
“And I’m sure Dolly’s fans definitely wouldn’t be opposed to that either,” he added.
Ryan Pagano at the Dolly Parton Street sign.Photo by Dean Moses
Pagano might be on to something. Another commuter, Mario Papa, told amNewYork that the sign should stay up for at least a week.
“That is a great tribute. I don’t know who did it, but it’s a great tribute,” he said. “I don’t think it’s going to be here for a long time. I say maybe a week, maybe until that mourning period ends, because I know Trump issued all flags fly at half-staff for a week. So I think a week would be good until they bury her.”
Fulton Street…or Dolly Parton Street in Lower Manhattan?Photo by Dean Moses
Papa also said he always wanted to visit Dollywood, Parton’s theme park in Pigeon Forge, TN.
“I’ve always wanted to go to Dollywood because I love roller coasters,” he said. It’s a bucket list theme park, and now it’s probably going to shoot to the top of my list because the legacy of Dolly will live on forever at the Dollywood amusement park. And she was just a great person, loved by all.”
Ian Blade said the he does not want the sign to stay put — only it should look better for Parton’s legacy.
“This looks a bit chopped,” he said. “I feel like they could have done it a little bit nicer for Dolly Parton. They should do an official version of it. Mamdani, he’ll probably get it done. So maybe not this one, but there should definitely be some kind of mural up there for her for sure. I don’t know if it should be in New York though. I don’t know what her New York history is like.”