Lemont, IL: GM&O/Chicago & Alton Depot

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More completely, the name of the railroad is Canadian National/Illinois Central/Illinois Central Gulf/Golf, Mobile & Ohio/Chicago & Alton.

I new it was an old station.

But I did not realize it was the oldest until I saw this posting by James.

James L. Ludwid posting

James' comment:

Built in 1858 the Lemont Chicago & Alton depot is the oldest continually used railroad station in the State of Illinois.

When I learned they tore down the Santa Fe depot to make way for cranes, I'm glad they found someplace else to place the cranes to build this end of the bridge.

As you can see in the pictures below, it is  close to the bridge.

This is an active Metra station. In fact, while I was in town, two commuters came through at 5:41 and 6:13.

Also an Amtrak headed to St. Louis went through town at 6:01:26, :36, and :40. Amtrak's next stop is Joliet. (I was in town on Wednesday, and I learned that Wednesday was "classic car night.")

Mark Hinsdale posted, 1970s

Update: Note the depot to the right of the locomotive. Obviously the high bridge has not yet been built.

On Sep 25, 2016, I went to a book signing by Cynthia and Bill of their C&WI book. One of the things Bill explained was that Lemont's and Lockport's depots are the oldest depots in Illinois that are still functioning as depots. He noted that neither depot has a bay window for the agent's desk because that was not done until the 1870s. Furthermore, he said they were constructed of "dolomite limestone." It is nice to have confirmation that the stone in the Lemont quarries is dolostone.

Al Pawloski posted
Another old postcard

Ken Rehor posted two photos with the comment:

Lemont, IL
(nee) Chicago & Alton Railroad
Winter 1981
Rolleicord, Kodak Plus-X

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