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<p>During the late 19th Century, electrified railroads became popular in the United States. These railroads offered a viable, faster alternative to traditional steam railroads. In major cities, electrified railroads would be constructed either on steel viaducts or in subways. During the 1880s and 1890s, Chicago had seen an unprecedented level of growth, and constructing a reliable public transportation system became a must for the city. In early 1894, the Northwestern Elevated Railroad Company (Northwestern "L") was given a franchise by the City of Chicago build an elevated, electrified rapid transit railroad line, extending north from the Loop at Lake Street and Wells Street, crossing the Chicago River at Wells Street. From here, the line generally would head north along Franklin Street, west along North Avenue, northwest along Clybourn Avenue and north along Sheffield Avenue, before terminating at the Chicago & Evanston Division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway (Milwaukee Road) at Wilson Avenue.</p><p>Construction on the line began in 1896, with the line opening in May 1900. In 1907, the railroad would construct a branch line to Ravenswood, leaving the line at Roscoe Street. In 1908, the Northwestern "L" acquired rights to use the Milwaukee Road route between Wilson Avenue and Central Avenue in Evanston. The lines were initially connected by an inclined trestle, allowing the Northwestern "L" to reach street level. During the early 20th Century, Chicago had elevated much of the steam railroads operating in the city, by placing the railroads upon embankments and constructing subways at each street. In 1910, the line was elevated from Howard Street to Church Street, followed by Leland Avenue to Howard Street in 1922. In 1924, the Northwestern "L" became part of the Chicago Rapid Transit Company. The tracks were elevated between Church Street to Central Avenue in Evanston between 1928 and 1931. In 1947, the CRT became part of the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), which later acquired the line north of Leland Avenue from the Milwaukee Road. Today, the CTA Brown, Purple and Red lines all use portions of the line. Much of the original 19th Century viaduct remains intact, as well as portions of the track elevation in Evanston. </p>
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