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Story Name

Railroad

Current Railroad

Valuation Section(s)

Subdivision(s)

State

South/West Terminal

North/East Terminal

Description

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During the late 19th Century, electrified railroads became popular in
 
the United States.&nbsp; These railroads offered a viable, faster alternative
 to traditional steam railroads.&nbsp; In major cities, electrified railroads
 would be constructed either on steel viaducts or in subways.&nbsp; During 
the late 19th Century, Chicago had seen an unprecedented level of 
growth, 
and constructing a reliable public transportation system became a must 
for the city.&nbsp; In 1888, the Lake Street Elevated Railway Company (Lake Street "L") was granted a franchise by the City of 
Chicago to construct an elevated rapid transit line along Lake Street from Canal Street to 40th Avenue (Pulaski Road).&nbsp; The line would use light steam locomotives, different from
 cable or electrified railroads.&nbsp; The railroad was reorganized as the Lake Street Elevated Railroad Company in 1893, and the line opened to traffic.&nbsp; The same year, extensions were approved from a station at Market Street and Madison Street to Canal Street; and to 52nd Avenue (Laramie Avenue). These extensions opened in 1894. In 1895, the line was extended east to State Street along Lake Street.&nbsp; Between 1899 and 1901, the line would be extended to Harlem Avenue in Oak Park with a ground level track constructed along the Chicago &amp; North Western Railway.&nbsp; The Lake Street "L" would be reorganized as the Chicago &amp; Oak Park Elevated Railway Company (C&amp;OP) in 1904.&nbsp; During the early 20th Century, steam railroads were required to elevate their tracks in Chicago and some surrounding suburbs.&nbsp; The tracks were elevated by constructing a concrete retaining wall and embankment, and placing subways at each street crossing.&nbsp; The ground level segment would be elevated between 1908 and 1910 in conjunction with the C&amp;NW project.&nbsp; In 1924, 
the C&amp;OP&nbsp; became part of the Chicago Rapid Transit 
Company.&nbsp; In 1947, the CRT became part of the Chicago 
Transit Authority (CTA).&nbsp;&nbsp; Today, this line continues to be operated 
by the CTA as part of the Green Line.&nbsp;

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