The First "L" Train
- Date Range
- June 6, 1892 – June 6, 1892
- Title
- The First "L" Train
- What occurred
- The first "L" train in Chicago was built and ran from 39th to State, Congress, and Wabash. There were train lines prior to this but they all stopped just before the "Loop" which is the center of downtown. Charles Tyson Yerkes solved this problem by building elevated tracks that went above the streets in the Loop, allowing people to be dropped off much closer to their destinations. All of the trains after this until 1940s in Chicago were elevated tracks. This an important part of Chicago's landscape because it is so widely known, it is strange to think of a time where you don't see trains going by above your head. This revolutionized travel in the city and changed the environment because it allowed the people to more efficiently work.
- Location
- 6321 South Halsted, Chicago, IL
- Image Citation
- “Chicago Architecture Center.” Buildings of Chicago | Chicago Architecture Center, https://www.architecture.org/learn/resources/buildings-of-chicago/building/the-chicago-l/.
- Student name(s)
- Olivia Bruursema