The IC stations before this one was built were further north.
The passenger yards that were south of this station
There are some more views of this station in the Roosevelt Streetcar Extension.
(Update: a blog posting, a railfan page, Chicagology )
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Bill Molony posted again
This is a picture post card of the Illinois Central depot
in Chicago, circa 1910.
Bill Molony posted againPost card view of the Illinois Central depot in Chicago - 1915. Bill Molony posted This is a post card picture of the Illinois Central's station in Chicago from about 1895. From the Blackhawk collection. Bill Molony shared Joseph Boniello: Bears an interesting resemblance to the Brooklyn Fire Headquarters building in NYC. David Daruszka: Yes, both buildings are designed in the Richardsonian Romanesque style. Bill Molony shared |
A very different colorization.
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| Bill Molony posted |
This Illinois Central station was finished in 1893 to handle the additional traffic to the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. The station also handled the long-distance passenger trains for the Illinois Central. Since Michigan Central was initially a partner of the IC, it also used this station. (See the La Salle Street Station map below for the Central Station routing.) And the Big Four used the station by joining the IC mainline at Kankakee. But after the NYC got control of the MC, their trains were moved to the La Salle Street Station. Other railroads switched in and out of this station. Especially after the decision was made to quit using the Grand Central Station in the 1960s.
After Amtrak took over, the remaining trains that used the IC mainline were routed West over the St. Charles Air Line and then backed into Union Station. The St. Charles Air Line uses the southern bascule bridge over the South Branch.
But the P4 project of the CREATE program will make the lakeshore and bridge route obsolete and will eliminate the need for the backup entrance to Union Station.
IC relocated their offices to Illinois Center in 1973 and tore down the station in 1974. Unlike the Grand Central Station, I think the destruction of this station helped the appearance of Chicago. The big signs on top of the building always struck me as notably ugly.
Marty Bernard posted five HAER photos.
After Amtrak took over, the remaining trains that used the IC mainline were routed West over the St. Charles Air Line and then backed into Union Station. The St. Charles Air Line uses the southern bascule bridge over the South Branch.
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| Wikipedia: Map |
IC relocated their offices to Illinois Center in 1973 and tore down the station in 1974. Unlike the Grand Central Station, I think the destruction of this station helped the appearance of Chicago. The big signs on top of the building always struck me as notably ugly.
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| David Daruszka comment |
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| 1938 Aerial Photo from ILHAP |
Marty Bernard posted five HAER photos.
Marty Bernard shared
Here is another example of different colorizations of the same B&W photo. Note that the office building is being constructed. I think this is the highest resolution copy of this view that I have encountered.
I added this redundant view because it is better exposed.
Lou's comment:
Kenneth Baker posted two photos of the predecessor stations with the comment: "Pictured is the original Illinois Central depot at Fifth and Madison street, which was replaced by grand "Union Station" in 1898."
Mark Llanuza posted four photos with the comment: "Its June 1974 the final year of IC's Central station."
Samuel Augustus Jennings posted two photos with the comment:
Samuel Augustus Jennis posted
[I believe these photos are redundant, so I was going to pass up this post until Paul added his comment.]
Paul Jevert No AC ! The Station was steam heated from the Power Plant at 14th St. and the Waiting Room was as cold and drafty as a "New England Barn" with that high vaulted ceiling ! After the false ceiling was installed in 1958 it was a little warmer in winter but it still was drafty ! I should knoe since I was a GATEMAN at that Depot from 1965-1969. We "FROZE" in January 1967 ! The old east wall before the "Drop ceiling" had a balcony with seats and windows to look out on Lake Michigan during the warmer months. There was a stained glass representation of "BEN HUR, a story of Christ" and his chariot from Gen. Lew Wallace's Novel (1880) of the same name above the lookout balcony. The Big Four train's to and from Indiana arrived from Cincinnati at Central Station and Gen. Wallace lived in Crawfordsville and James Whitcomb Riley lived in Indianapolis, IN. A Big Four train was named in his Honor !
The track layout north of the station:
A 1971 view that has part of a freight house on the left. Steve Haber posted it without credit, but one of the comments provides an image with more accurate colors.
George Schmelzle's Facebook posting has a nice description and several of the comments contribute additional photos.
A web page with several neat photos.
A video of IC passenger trains, and at 0:55 are steam engines at this station. And another view at 1:40 with a steam powered train arriving.
Illinois Railway Museum posted a limited-use, unique view from the east.
A Mike Savad watercolor (source)
Dearborn Street: Santa Fe, C&EI, Monon, Erie, GTW, Wabash, C&O (initially)
Grand Central: B&O, GTW, Pere Marguette, Wisconsin Central (Soo), C&O (later)
Central: IC, Big Four (initially), Michigan Central (initially)
La Salle Street: Rock Island, Nickel Plate, C&EI, LS&MS, Big4 (later), MC (later)
Chicago & North Western: C&NW
Union Station: Pennsy, CB&Q, Milwaukee, Chicago and Alton (GM&O)
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| 1. GENERAL VIEW OF NORTH FRONT AND WEST SIDE - Illinois Central Railroad Station, Michigan & Roosevelt Streets, Chicago, Cook County, IL Reproduction Number: HABS ILL,16-CHIG,99A--1 |
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| 2. SOUTH REAR OF BUILDING - Illinois Central Railroad Station, Michigan & Roosevelt Streets, Chicago, Cook County, IL Reproduction Number: HABS ILL,16-CHIG,99A--2 |
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| 3. YARDS, AREA, SOUTH REAR OF BUILDING - Illinois Central Railroad Station, Michigan & Roosevelt Streets, Chicago, Cook County, IL Reproduction Number: HABS ILL,16-CHIG,99A--3 |
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| 4. LOADING AREA, NORTH FRONT - Illinois Central Railroad Station, Michigan & Roosevelt Streets, Chicago, Cook County, IL Reproduction Number: HABS ILL,16-CHIG,99A--4 |
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| 5. PASSENGER WAITING ROOM - Illinois Central Railroad Station, Michigan & Roosevelt Streets, Chicago, Cook County, IL Reproduction Number: HABS ILL,16-CHIG,99A--5 |
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| Michael Brandt posted IC Central building, and a great shot of Solder Field and Michigan Ave. |
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| Dennis DeBruler commented on Steve's post As others have commented, the view is looking south on Michigan Avenue with the IC Central Station on the left. Here is a view before all of the trees grew up that was posted by Bill Molony with the comment: "Grant Park and the Illinois Central depot - 1915." Note that Grant Park has been created by filling the land between Michigan Ave. and the tracks, but the fill has not been done yet on the other side of the tracks. |
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| Bill Molony posted MICHIGAN AVENUE IN CHICAGO LOOKING SOUTH. This view shows Grant Park, the Illinois Central depot and the Field Museum of Natural History. The Illinois Central depot was located on 12th Street and Michigan Avenue. The Field Museum of Natural History is located in Grant Park at the foot of Roosevelt Road. This is a post card picture from the 1920's. From the Blackhawk collection. Steve Kraus: I think 11th PL. 12th St. / Roosevelt Rd. did not go through to LSD. But the streetcar line did! It crossed the roof of the trainshed - both editions - to serve Soldier Field with a turnaround in the park.Bill Molony shared Brian A Morgan: With the Dewie building already moved across Michigan Avenue and annexed to Central Station I would date this card after 1927. |
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| Dennis DeBruler commented on Steve's post The station was just north of Roosevelt Road. 1929 Jackson Park Quadrangle @ 1:24,000 https://www.google.com/.../data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4... |
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| Illinois Central Railroad Scrapbook posted IC's terminal for intercity passenger trains in Chicago was Central Station, located at the intersection of Michigan Avenue and Roosevelt Road (the terminal for IC's suburban trains was a few blocks north at Randolph Street). Completed in 1893, the station was also known as 12th Street Station. This view of the eastern side of Central Station was taken on the morning of March 1, 1964. On the track closest to the camera is the "City of Miami". According to the IC's October 1, 1964 timetable (that was the closest date I could find among my timetable collection), the "City of Miami" was scheduled to depart Central Station at 8:45 a.m. and arrive in Miami the next day at 5:45 pm. Northbound, the train departed Miami at 9:30 am and arrived in Chicago at 5:50 pm the next day. Most intercity passenger trains on the IC operated daily, but the "City of Miami" ran every other day. The train operated as train 53 southbound and train 52 northbound. Although the "City of Miami" was a joint operation with the Central of Georgia and the Atlantic Coast Line, the IC was the dominant player and called the shots. IC insisted that cars assigned to the train be painted in IC colors. This explains why the CofG coach on the left side is painted in IC colors and is lettered "City of Miami" above the windows (the car number isn't quite legible). CofG also assigned E8A's 811 and 812 to the pool of locomotives that ran freely on the train between Chicago and Miami. These two locomotives were delivered in CofG's blue/gray paint scheme but were soon repainted IC's colors. The "City of Miami" made its last run on April 30, 1971, the day before Amtrak took over most intercity passenger service in the U.S. Central Station stayed open for a few more months but the last train left on March 6, 1972, as Amtrak consolidated its Chicago operations at Union Station. IC moved its headquarters out of Central Station in the winter of 1973-74 and a few months afterwards the station was torn down. After sitting vacant for several years the site was redeveloped for townhouses and a luxury high rise con |
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| Bill Molony posted Air view showing Illinois Central Depot in foreground. Located at 12th Street and Michigan Boulevard the Illinois Central Depot has been a Chicago landmark since 1883. In the background can be seen Grant Park with its Field Museum, Soldier Field, Shedd Aquarium and Alder Planetarium. Bill Molony also posted |
Here is another example of different colorizations of the same B&W photo. Note that the office building is being constructed. I think this is the highest resolution copy of this view that I have encountered.
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| David M Laz posted I wish I could look down from a building on Michigan ave and still see this view and see that beautiful IC station! |
This artist cropped the photo as well as used different colors.
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| Bill Molony posted Illinois Central Station at 12th Street and Michigan Boulevard was a Chicago landmark since 1893. Ground was first broken on June 4, 1892, and the building opened to the public on June 4, 1893. Larry Ewing: When was it demolished? Bill Molony: 1974. |
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| Roger Wilhelmi posted |
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| Bill Molony commented on William Dittus' posting [It looks like Bill found a higher resolution copy.] |
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| John David Mitchell Jr shared IC Depot Chicago Central, 1958. M. White collection. |
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| John David Mitchell Jr shared IC Depot Central Station,1894. Cliff Downey collection. |
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| David Daruszka commented on a posting The waiting room before its was modernized. Ean Kahn-Treras any idea what all the tripping hazards are all over this photo? David Daruszka Spitoons. Jon Roma Ean Kahn-Treras, let me add an additional tidbit. In the old La Salle Street Station (up to 1980-81 when it perished), so pervasive was the tobacco culture that there was a men's smoking room – and its antithesis, the "women's waiting room". As a teen, I absentmindedly wandered into the latter, figuring that surely it was a relic of a bygone era – and was politely but promptly asked to leave. David Daruszka commented on a posting Before the dropped ceiling modernization. |
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| Pierre Hamon posted Central Station - Circa 1894 |
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| David Daruszka commented on a posting The opposite end. Historic Chicago posted Chicago - Waiting room of the Illinois Central RR Station, Michigan Ave at 12th ,now Roosevelt. (1895) |
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CTRIC’s Central Station, Chicago
Illinois Central opened its Central Station on Chicago’s lakefront in April 1893. This 1950s view shows the grand arched waiting room, which was marred in 1962 by the installation of a false ceiling. Demolition came in 1974.
IC photo |
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| Cliff Downey shared
An IC photographer captured this scene inside the waiting room of Chicago's Central Station while crews were working on the ceiling in 1934. This view is looking towards the west side of the waiting room, towards entrances to a smoking room and the IC's General Offices.
A few boards have been nailed up to keep folks from walking under certain sections of the scaffolding, but otherwise there are no barriers to keep the general public away from the scaffolding! The only "protection" from falling objects is a canvas cloth over the two aisles that allowed people to walk from one side of the scaffolding to another. You gotta wonder how many kids played and chased each other while waiting for a train, and how many parents went crazy while trying to corral their youngsters.
April 25, 1934, IC photo, Cliff Downey collection.
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| David Daruszka commented on a posting This might be the image of the waiting room most people remember. Lee Jones  Oh yes. All that beautiful marble.Jon Roma And the memory many people have of Central Station is the climb from street level up to the concourse, then the climb from the concourse down to the platforms. |
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| John David Mitchell Jr shared IC Depot Central Station Interior, 1960's. M. White collection. |
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| John David Mitchell Jr shared IC Depot Central Station Interior, 1960's. M. White collection. |
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| Marty Bernard shared a Roger Puta Photo IC E8A 4027 with Train 11, The Hawkeye, at Central Station, Chicago, IL on April 4, 1971 with the John Hancock Building at extreme right. |
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| Lou Gerard posted |
Leased IC E9 4028 is coming down the St. Charles Airline with an Amtrak to Carbondale IL. in June 1974. A friend, the late Lee Hastman was the Fireman.Lou also explained that all of the MU commuter coaches in the background are being stored pending scrap.
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| David M Laz posted Just so horrible that the IC station at Michigan and Roosevelt is gone. If it made it into today's world, at least is would have been rehabbed into retal and residential space, at the least. |
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| Glen Miller posted Illinois Central Station, 1964. Carl Venzke posted |
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| Evan Stair posted Chicago Illinois Central Station |
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| Gail Bob McCabe posted This photo was taken August 10, 1894. The Central Station was constructed on pilings that were pounded into the bed of Lake Michigan. They were extra-long due to the soft soil consisting of debris from the Great Chicago Fire. Construction cost was $1.2 million (almost $39 million in today's dollars) and boasted of having the "largest trainshed in the world" over 85,000 square ft. The station, which opened in April of 1893, was built with a raised balcony for a view of Lake Michigan. Bob Dennis DeBruler shared |
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| Dennis DeBruler commented on this share I got curious about the shoreline so I found this topo map. Lake Park has been filled in, but Grant Park has not started. Note the location of the original Chicago Union Station. 1900 Chicago Quadrangle @ 1:62,500 |
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| Central Station Chicago 1893-1974. posted Jim Kelling shared Illinois Central Station in Chicago (demolished) Chuck Boehm: You don't often see this side of the depot. |
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| Prairie District Neighborhood Alliance posted
PDNA Throwback Thursday 1907 - Illinois Central Railway station near 12th & Michigan Avenue
The original Central Station operated from 1893 to 1972 as an intercity passenger terminal in downtown Chicago, Illinois, at the southern end of Grant Park just north of what is today Roosevelt Road and Michigan Avenue. The station building was demolished in 1974.
"The Romanesque structure, designed by Bradford L. Gilbert and built by the Illinois Central Railroad, opened April 17, 1893 to meet the traffic demands of the World's Colombian Exposition. The nine-story building featured a 13-story clock tower and housed the general offices of the railroad. It boasted the largest train shed in the world at the time"
A view of the north side before the walkway was built.
I question "original." If anything, this was the final Central Station. I know the IC had intercity station(s?) up by Randolph Street. I don't know if any of them were also called "Central Station."
Alan Follett The original 1855 IC station, north of Randolph, was called Great Central. It was also used by Michigan Central, and in the early days Burlington (until the latter moved to Union).David Daruszka https://chicagology.com/prefire/prefire023/ |
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| Ricahrd Pitchford posted
Waiting room of the Illinois Central RR Station, Michigan Ave at 12th (now Roosevelt), 1895, Chicago.
Ryerson and Burnham Archives, Art Institute of Chicago
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| David M Laz posted South Grant Park, 1902, with the IC Station |
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| Cliff Downey posted
According to the clock at IC's Central Station this photo was taken just a minute or two before 4 p.m. The date or photographer's name was not recorded on this faded slide but judging from the clothes the photo was possibly taken in the early to mid-1960s.
E8A 4022 and a sister E-unit are on the point of a train waiting departure time. Again, there is no info on the train number but a quick check of the IC's condensed timetable for October 25, 1964 reveals that three trains left Central Station in late afternoon. Train 5, the Panama Limited, left at 4:30 p.m., while train 9, the Seminole left at 4:45 p.m. Then at 5:00 p.m. the Land O' Corn left for Waterloo, IA.
The Panama Limited didn't carry express packages so it can be ruled out. Which leaves either the Land of Corn or the Seminole. I'll go out on a limb and guess this is the Seminole. If this the Seminole, those two E-units have their work cut out for them. The train is due into Birmingham at 7:50 a.m. the next morning, where it will be handed off to the Central of Georgia Railway, which will forward the train to Albany, GA, where the train will be handed off to the Atlantic Coast Line, which will handle the train to its destination of Jacksonville, FL, where it is scheduled to arrive at 9 p.m. the day after departing Chicago.
Photographer unknown, Cliff Downey collection.
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| Randy James posted ic's southbound Seminole prepares for a late departure from central station, 60's Paul Jevert shared I spent many a summer evening in 1967 & 1968 working at Central Station and enjoying this view of the City on a quiet walk out in the train shed ! Beautiful memories of a bygone time ! Rodney D Zona Nice shot! Old IC RR Chicago based passenger train crews worked to and from Centralia, IL Chicago based engine crews worked to and from Champaign IL. Dennis DeBruler shared Fortunately, this photo is in a public group. It has something for everyone. It has a train for the railfans. It has a nice overview of Central Station for the depot fans. It has a sequence of skyscrapers along Michigan Avenue for the Chicago history fans. (Is that the Playboy/Palmolive Building just to the left of the Prudential Building?) And the photographer appears to be standing on the Long Hill (freight connection) from the St. Charles Airline for the railroad infrastructure fans. Bob Lalich I believe this is a Bruce Meyer photo. Dennis DeBruler Thanks, I was not familiar with that photographer. https://ctr.trains.com/.../great.../2018/07/ic-gallery IC streamliners and electrics Chicago–New Orleans City of New Orleans (left), suburban electric M.U.’s (center), and an unidentified intercity train at 35th Street, Chicago, 1947. John McElroy The dazzlingly bright building to the left of the Prudential is the Wrigley Building. It's hard to make out, but I'd guess the darker building in between is the 333 N. Michigan Building. Matt McClure Absolutely that is the SB connector. The extant NB came decades later than the SB. [The Long Hill is one of the original two northbound connections. So I don't understand Matt's comment.] |
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| Heritage Railway Magazine posted Another of Chicago's great terminals, Illinois Central's Central Station complex (clock tower) is seen here circa 1971. It was razed a few years later (1974), considered an eye sore. Paul Jevert shared It wasn't an eye sore to me. It was a paycheck and a long career! [On the left side of the photo is a freighthouse. I had never noticed that before.] |
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| Bill Kalkman posted Photographer unknown, Rodney Peterson collection. Lots to see here. If I'm reading the tower clock correctly, it's 9:40AM. Illinois Central 4-6-2 Pacific-1169 (built by Brooks in 1918 with 75 1/2" drivers) is parked in Central Station. Crew members and station workers are going about their business. ?/?/1950 in Chicago, IL. |
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| Bill Molony posted Illinois Central EMD GP9 #9201, departing from Central Station in April of 1971with IC train #21, the southbound Governor's Special. This train was equipped with coaches and a food bar coach for the three and a half hour trip to Springfield. [This is a new angle on the train shed. And it includes some of the dwarf signals.] |
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| Cpo William Howe posted Central Station. Date 1972,before all Amtrak trains were transferred to Union Station. Steve Kraus Can anyone confirm that the SR4501 June 17, 1973 excursion was the last passenger train to arrive there? Station itself was closed and about to be razed. In my pics the bridge carrying the tracks of the Long Hill over the station leads to the St. Charles Air Line was already gone. Brandon McShane To my knowledge, yes, that was the last train carrying passengers to use Central Station. |
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| Illinois Central Railroad Scrapbook posted
n the mid-1900's Chicago's Central Station was a bustling place. A dozen or more passenger trains departed each day for cities across the Midwest and South.
But by the time this photo was taken in January, 1973, Central Station was a quiet place. Amtrak had taken over IC's passenger service in 1971. For almost a year Amtrak continued to run trains in/out of Central Station, but eventually Amtrak decided to consolidate all of its passenger operations at Union Station. The last Amtrak train departed Central Station on March 5, 1972. With the trains gone Central Station continued to house the headquarters of Illinois Central Railroad and Illinois Central Industries (the parent company of the railroad).
In early 1973 ICI moved its headquarters into Illinois Center, a new skyscraper, and later that year the railroad also moved out. This left the building empty, and in June, 1974, wrecking balls began tearing down the majestic structure. By early 1975 Central Station was gone, leaving just photos and memories.
The site sat empty for several years before being redeveloped as luxury condo high-rises and townhouses. Today the site is bustling with activity and one would be hard-pressed to find the exact spot where an unknown photographer captured this view. Cliff Downey collection.
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| Martin Sorenson posted Chicago circa 1907. "Illinois Central Railway station." 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative by Hans Behm for Detroit Publishing Co. Albert J Reinschmidt That clock tower contained a water tower. The IC had its own water main that went down to the office building @ 63rd. Kyle Merkel Originally posted at shorpy.com. Lots of fun early to mid 20th century photos, many of which are of Chicago and/or Illinois subjects. Loren Hatch Today she would be standing in the middle of a skateboard park Kristopher Issac Barrington also posted Central Station in Chicago. It was torn down in 1974. |
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| Illinois Central Railroad Scrapbook posted
On May 1, 1971, Amtrak took over most intercity rail passenger service in the U.S. This brought about several changes on the IC, including the death of several trains, including the "Hawkeye" between Chicago and Sioux City, Ia., the "Governor's Special" between Chicago and Springfield, Ill., the "City of Miami" between Chicago and Miami, and the famed "Panama Limited" between Chicago and New Orleans. The only long distance train left on IC rails was the "City of New Orleans" between Chicago and its namesake city.
But a new wind soon was blowing through Chicago's Central Station (sorry for the bad pun). Amtrak initially decided to keep Central Station to serve the CofNO, a Chicago-Carbondale, Ill., train, and a "new" train, the "South Wind".
Actually, the "South Wind" wasn't new, for it had been inaugurated in December, 1940, the same week as the "City of Miami" and the "Dixie Flagler". These three all-coach trains operated on different trains, and together they provided fast, daily service between Chicago and Florida.
Amtrak decided it could keep just one Chicago-Florida train and chose the "South Wind". Unlike most Amtrak trains serving Chicago, the "South Wind" would depart from IC's Central Station. It would then run south to Kankakee, IL, and then turn east onto the NYC's "Big Four" route to Indianapolis, IN, and then head south towards Louisville, KY, and ultimately Miami and St. Petersburg, FL.
The "South Wind" called at Central Station for only six months. On November 14, 1971, the train was renamed the "Floridian" and moved to Union Station. Then in March, 1972, Amtrak moved out of Central Station entirely, and the building was later torn down. As for the "Floridian", it was axed in 1979 by President Carter, and today it is no longer possible to go directly by rail from Chicago to Florida.
Photographer unknown, Cliff Downey coll. Paul Jevert The Big 4 NYC Sheff - Indianapolis Line was in such bad shape they had miles and miles of track restricted to 30mph ! When we got up on the I.C. "We gave'em a REAL RIDE" !!!!!!!*!!!!-??? Some of those young kid trainmen asked us "How fast do you run up here and we said 79+ !!!!!!!!" I guess we scared the crap out of'em ! Paul Jevert I.C. engine crews ran it between 12th St. and KKK and we layed over at the KKK Hotel to return the next day back to Chicago. The Big 4 old head train crews couldn't bid on the job because it was filled off their xtra board so it went to young punks, some who didn't even own a uniform ! Rob Hillman The "James Whitcomb Riley" also used Central, into the Amtrak era, to Cincinnati, and later Washington, via the C&O. By 1973 the schedule simply read, Subject to Delay. That might explain why it (& the renamed SW, Floridian) were extra-board assignments on the PC. Steve Andolino shared a Gary Statkus post Louisville & Nashville diesel locomotives are at Illinois Central's Central Station on May 1, 1971, the first day of operation of Amtrak. The credits on the photo indicate that the train is the Amtrak "South WInd", of the Cliff Downey Collection. By November of that year, the train was moved to Union Station, and Central Station closed on May 3, 1972, and became part of "Forgotten Chicago". Bernie Lyngdal This is interesting. Southwind was the PA train, out of CUS, to Florida. Did the Southwind replace the City of Miami on the first day? |
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| Michael Brandt posted Bernie Smiths rail pics, a nice shot of IC Central. |
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| Michael Brandt posted Bernie Smiths rail pics, a nice shot of the IC's Central Station at 22nd Street. |
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| Bill Molony posted Penn Central class EP20 EMD E7A #4238, departing Chicago with PC train #304, the James Whitcomb Riley in October of 1970. This ex-New York Central train operated daily between Central Station in Chicago and Union Terminal in Cincinnati with stops at Woodlawn and Kankakee in Illinois and at Lafayette, Indianapolis, Shelbyville, Greensburg and Batesville in Indiana. Thomas Finley This is the Illinois Central RR about 18th. St. The Electric Line is to the right Central Station Straight ahead. The two nicely dressed tracks are for the west bound trains. Bill Edrington I never rode the Riley, much to my regret. Not only the Big Four trains via Kankakee, but also most of the Michigan Central trains (which operated over the IC north of Kensington/115th Street), used Central Station. For years the only MC train that used La Salle Street was the Wolverine, which ran on the old LS&MS main to Porter, IN and then east on the MC Matt McClure Rode the Riley in '72 on its NYC-IC routing. Plagued with slow orders the Indy - Chicago ride took over 8 hours rocking the whole way to Kankakee then 80 mph into the city. Todd Pearson I have a PC timetable showing they could run 85 along there, the NYC one confirmed it. Mark Egebrecht Amtrak continued the route until October 16, 1973, when the FRA chased them off. David Rhodes Wow the recently completed John Hancock is back in the haze to the right (as well as the Prudential). The photo feels older than that, maybe because B&W. Only two coaches and a baggage car? Hardly seems worth it. When did they stop using Central Station and when was it demolished? Thomas Finley Central Station was torn down starting in 1974 -'75. [The Riley was a Big Four train and used IC tracks until it got to Kankakee, IL.] Bill Molony posted again John Uhlich Why was a Penn Central train departing from the IC station? IC 18th St. Yard to the right below. Old Job 79 used to interchange with IC there many years ago. Two tracks in center of photo with white ballast lead to St. Charles Airline.Bill Molony  Prior to the Penn Central merger of 1968, New York Central passenger trains operating between Chicago, Indianapolis and Cincinnati, such as the James Whitcomb Riley, used Central Station in Chicago; after the merger, these Penn Central trains continued to originate and terminate at Central Station in Chicago.Bill Edrington The NYC trains Bill Molony refers to were those of the former Big Four Route (Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railway). For many years, passenger trains of the Michigan Central Railroad, another key part of the NYC system, also arrived and departed from Central Station. The MC trains were eventually moved to La Salle Street Station by the NYC, but the Big Four trains remained at Central Station. Illinois Central crews (and, especially in steam days, IC power) handled them between Chicago and Kankakee, where they reached home rails. |
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| David Daruszka commented on Bill's post Photo enhanced. |
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| Jeff Lewis posted
PDF to jpg conversion of an image from Trains Magazine Chicago Railroads Special, July 2003 Issue. The caption reads:
"In this 1970s view from near 20th Street, Amtrak's Illini nears the IC Electric line overpass. McCormick Place arena now covers the site. All land east of the IC, including Soldier Field Stadium, is on fill dumped in Lake Michigan. At top left, Central Station is gone and boxcars fill the former coach yard."
Harold Edmonson photo.
Steve Kraus Central came down in 74. P30CHs, like that pulling the Illini in the photo, arrived in 75. (Not likely to be the Shawnee which went south in the morning.) Amfleet also dates from 75. I believe the last arrival at the already closed but still standing Central may have been SR 4501 in June 1973. Chuck Grigsby And as of a couple days ago [June 23, 2019], the airline is a single track railroad. Actually from 39th Street to Cermak. Jacob Metzger Who thought that was a good idea, and why? Andrew Shafer Widening the curve, getting rid of the restricted zone (they cant even meet trains there anyway) and making it all 25 mph instead of 10. |
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| Bill Molony posted 1910 Illinois Central Depot post card. |
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| Bill Molony posted Post Card picture of Illinois Central Depot - 1910. [At first I thought it was the above image reposted. But the roof seems to be a different shade.] |
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| Will Dunklin shared Dennis DeBrulerGroup Admin We are getting an insight into the postcard industry as well as railroads. They must have been an important form of visual communication before color film was developed. Will Dunklin Dennis, yep, an amazing resource for images. They start becoming common just after 1900 and absolutely explode around 1910. |
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| Bill Molony posted Picture postal card dated 1922. Robert De Was it that close to the lake? Dennis DeBruler In 1922, it was probably still that close to the lake. It is amazing how much IC and Chicago have filled in the lake. Remember, Michigan Avenue used to be the shoreline. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1270038776414622/permalink/1652942428124253/ Bill Molony posted again Picture post card postmarked 1:30 AM on October 16, 1922. John Ullrich The station was built in 1893, before the river reversal project was completed in 1900. The lakefront was not what it is now as sewerage flowed in to the lake from the river. |
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| David Daruszka commented on Bill's post The station abutted the lakefront at one time. |
Kenneth Baker posted two photos of the predecessor stations with the comment: "Pictured is the original Illinois Central depot at Fifth and Madison street, which was replaced by grand "Union Station" in 1898."
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| David Daruszka commented on the above posting |
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| David Daruszka commented on the above posting |
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| Paul V Nash Jr. posted SB train at Central Station waiting for departure time. Three unit power so I'm guessing a big City of Miami. [Comments concluded it was the Carbondale train with a big consist.] |
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| Randy James posted ic's central station, looking South, Chicago, late 60's [A Mel Patrick Photo from 1968.] |
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| Peter Dudley shared New York Central System's No. 5344 (the former, one-of-a-kind COMMODORE VANDERBILT streamliner, until it was re-streamlined by industrial designer Henry Dreyfuss) heads The CHICAGO MERCURY, ready to depart Chicago's Central Station for Detroit's Michigan Central Station (MCS), 1939. In its original, 1931 J-1e as-built appearance, No. 5344 served as the prototype for Lionel's 1937 Model 700E "scale Hudson" three-rail O gauge locomotive. The Glancy Trains Collection at Detroit Historical Museum includes a 700E model, acquired at auction from the former - Carail Museum. |
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| NYC Dreyfuss J3a Hudson 4-6-4 commented on the above photo: "1971 Chicago Central Station." |
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| Paul Webb shared [Platforms for suburban trains were northeast of the intercity station.] |
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| Steve Lewandowski posted The ICRR Building shortly before demolition. From an original negative. The building was demolished in 1974. Jon Roma The building was named Central Station. Ceased use as a passenger station in March 1972. After the railroad (ICG) moved out, it was demolished in 1974. Keith Folk When was this station built? Alan Follett It opened April 17, 1893, just in time for the Columbian Exposition. At the time, architect Louis Sullivan grumbled, "Why do not the fires of Heaven consume it?" Dennis DeBruler  This is a corner of the building that I have not seen before. It does help visualize what it looked like. |
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| Central Station Chicago 1893-1974. posted |
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| Central Station Chicago 1893-1974. posted Jim Kelling shared Illinois Central Station in Chicago (demolished) |
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| Mike Breski posted
E7A #4005 (as-delivered paint scheme)
at Chicago, Illinois (circa 1949)
photo courtesey of Canada Southern.Com
Robert Daly 4005 was one of two E7s that had Nathan air chime whistles that sounded like steam loco whistles. The other one was 4006. I remember seeing and hearing them passing through my home town near Erie PA in the Sixties.Peter Conrad The 1st order livery was dark on light grey and not the reverse because they arrived before NYC got the new '48 Pullmans for the Century so they had to paint the E7's to match the prewar cars! [Most photos of the station don't show the walkway along the north side of the building. But Steve's photo above does show that it was added.] |
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| Steve Lewandowski posted Andre Kristopans Train coming off the Iowa Division David Daruszka This may just be an industry job switching out places like RR Donnelley. Andre Kristopans Correct - he is on Donnelly lead. Straight back is the Iowa connection track. David Daruszka I'm guessing the overhead walkway connects the 12th St./Roosevelt Rd. suburban station with Central Station. Bob Lalich You are correct David! The walkway also had an entrance from 11th Place. David Daruszka posted a Bob Krone photo as reference. |
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| Ken Hecimovich posted |
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| Original Chicago posted The last train into Chicago's Central Station was an excursion led by Southern Railway No. 4501 in summer 1973. The locomotive was headed for Wisconsin to handle the Great Circus Train. Today, the station is gone. It was located at the south end of Grant Park near Roosevelt and Michigan. The redevelopment there is called Central Station. Rick Smith: In its earlier days, Central Station, Chicago also had been referred to as "Twelfth Street Station", back before 12th was renamed Roosevelt Rd. in 1919. Don Crimmin: That was a good weekend. The trip started in Louisville, KY, and overnighted in Centralia, IL. The second day we ran from Centralia to Chicago. Jim Fleming: You are looking southwest. The headhouse is slightly out of view. It is where the fire escapes are. Directly behind is the waiting area. The train sheds are due south. The trackage to the left would be freight tracks that would have went north to the freight yards at the river. Just out of view to the far left would be the IC Electric that went to Randolph Street Station. Central closed as a station in 1972 when Amtrak moved IC trains to Union Station. The station was demolished in 1974 after the IC moved to Illinois Center. Trevor Palczynski shared |
Mark Llanuza posted four photos with the comment: "Its June 1974 the final year of IC's Central station."
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| David Daruszka commented on William Dittus' posting and another posting Central Station, built in 1893. Also used by the Michigan Central and the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railway, both New York Central subsidiaries. David Daruszka commented on another post |
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| David Daruszka commented on William Dittus' posting |
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| Patrick McNamara commented on a posting 1900 photo by Detroit Publishing Dragi S. Trajkovski posted Historic CHICAGO : CENTRAL STATION 1901 , Illinois Central Depot ,12th Street and Park Row, Chicago Patrick McNamara '"Park Row" ? No. Lake Park Place. Douglas Smith https://chicagology.com/goldenage/goldenage021/ Brandon McShane shared Michael Matalis Honestly, that's one of the ugliest buildings I've ever seen. Dennis DeBruler  Certainly after they added the signs. But I do consider the Grand Central Station to be a loss. It is so ironic that the land remained vacant for a half-century.[Jon Roma and I had a further discussion of station aesthetics including the bad basement in Union Station. These are some of the IC related comments.] Jon Roma That makes sense. I never saw the inside of either station with my own eyes. IC's station appeals to me as an IC fan, but some of its defects result from its "temporary" nature that wound up being 80 years in duration. Overall, Grand Central was the bigger loss, particularly since no one could argue that the empty space had been put to good use since the building was razed. I never saw Dearborn inside – either as a station or as its life after its renaissance. I remember when the train shed was razed and adolescent me thought that was a shame. Middle-aged me still does. The loss of Union Station's old headhouse was tragic, though I at least saw that as a youngster. Chicago & North Western's station was for me the most tragic loss of all the places I experienced with my own eyes. La Salle Street wasn't particularly distinctive, though I loved the place in spite of the shabbiness of the station and the railroad that inhabited it near the end of both's lives. However, it's not stretching the truth to say that even La Salle Street in 1980 beats the garbage that's there today. The current facility isn't worthy of the Rail Capital of the World or of the commuters who depend on it every day. The sad truth is that none of Chicago's downtown intercity rail termini survived intact. Not a single one. Jon Roma By the way, a lot of old IC records and photographs are preserved, and I have seen some remarkable images of the grade separation and later electrification in city limits. Most of the books from the LaFollette valuation survey (and the original linen maps from that survey) are preserved. Jon Roma One even more interesting little tidbit is that, during the Sixties when business was slow, IC put some of its draftsmen on "what if" projects – one of which was a new, modern depot to replace Central Station. I've seen the vellums, and I find some of these pipe-dream "what if" projects to often be more fascinating than what actually happened. There were numerous projects big and small that were filed away "for a rainy day"; thankfully, many of these were saved. |
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| David Daruszka commented on a posting View looking southward. |
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| David Daruszka posted Illinois Central's train shed at Central (12th Street) Station. Image from the Ryerson and Burnham Archives at the Art Institute of Chicago. |
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| David commented on his posting Original Chicago posted a different exposure Chicago’s Central Station in 1894 The Illinois Central lakeshore depot site is land created by fill composed of Great Fire debris. The station is set on pilings driven through the lake bed mud. The southern view from the elevated balcony offered a bird eye view of the neighboring lakeshore. Jimmy Fiedler shared |
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| Carl Venzke posted NYC’s Mercury departs Chicago - In Chicago, trains of New York Central subsidiary Michigan Central generally used Illinois Central’s lakefront Central Station. Here a Hudson starts the Chicago Mercury on its run to Detroit. The terminal’s arched trainshed was removed in the early 1940s. Richard Luryman photo Classic Trains Magazine posted |
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| Randy James posted Seminole limited, heavyweight observation lounge car, at central station, 1939. [Unfortunately, the passenger car is skunking the train shed. :-) But this photo does give use and interesting angle on some of the truss work of the shed.] |
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| Bill Nimmo shared Another LIFE photo 1948 - Chicago by Joseph Scherschel |
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| Bill Molony posted The Illinois Central's newly delivered streamlined Green Diamond train departing from Central Station in 1936. The turret cab power car was built by the Electro-Motive Corporation and was equipped with a 16-cylinder 201-A prime mover rated at 1200 horsepower. The articulated trainset consisted of a mail-baggage car, a reclining seat coach, a coach-buffet, and a diner-lounge-observation car. |
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| Jim Arvites posted A beautiful postcard view from 1911 looking south down Michigan Ave toward Central. Station and the Illinois Central Railroad Corporate Headquarters in Chicago. (V.O. Hammon Pub Co) |
Robert Daly posted six photos with the comment: "Some photos trackside at Central Station."
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| 1 November 2 1969. The neon IC sign is still in place. |
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| Ralph Leoni commented on photo #1 |
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| 2 March 4 1972 |
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| 3 Track area and commissary March 4 1972 Thomas Finley: The white door was the DC line gang headquarters for about a year and a half. |
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| 4 Commissary March 4 1972. Thomas Finley: The little red Mercury Comet is my car. The wire gang headquarters were moved into the south end of the building because we were moved out of our crew building account of bulldozing the area. |
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| 5 Consist of PC train 302, April 9 1971. |
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| 6 GP40 #3036, the first locomotive painted for the Illinois Central Gulf, on display at Central Station, August 20 1975. |
Robert Daly posted six photos with the comment:
Jeff Bransky Long before Roosevelt road was extended, streetcars on Roosevelt crossed over the station train sheds and the IC tracks to deliver people to the 1933 World’s Fair and to the Field Museum and Soldier Field.
Bob Friedlander posted the comment:
Norm Alexander There was a steeper ramp for the IC Iowa Division passenger trains to directly access St Charles Air Line from Central station. No back up moves needed.
There was also a longer ramp from the Air Line that headed north to Congress Yard which was the terminal for all Iowa Division freights until the new ramp was built in the 1960s to allow Iowa freights to run to Markham Yard instead.
Bob Lalich The south wye wasn't built until 1968.
Mike Breski posted three photos with the comment:
Robert Daly posted nine photos with the comment: "My photos of Central Station. See photo captions for descriptions and dates."
The interior of IC's Central Station, 11th Place and Michigan Ave, March 4 1972. At that time Amtrak's former IC trains to southern Illinois and New Orleans, and former NYC (Big Four) train to Indy and Cincinnati still used the station. It closed March 6 1972 when trains were rerouted to Union Station. Central was demolished during the summer of 1974 and Roosevelt Road was extended through the site to connect with Lake Shore Drive. The suburban station survived in increasingly dilapidated condition until the early 2000s.Patrick Finn Roosevelt Rd wasn't extended to LSD until the late 1990's
Jeff Bransky Long before Roosevelt road was extended, streetcars on Roosevelt crossed over the station train sheds and the IC tracks to deliver people to the 1933 World’s Fair and to the Field Museum and Soldier Field.
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| David Daruszka commented on a posting Here's 4203 departing from IC's Central Station with the Detroit-bound Twilight Limited in May 1951. NYC’s main Chicago terminal was La Salle Street Station, but trains of its Michigan Central and Big Four lines used Central. Bob Borcherding photo. |
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| Jim Arvites posted It is 1893 on Chicago's downtown lakefront and huge crowds are boarding Illinois Central trains for the World's Fair. |
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| Mike Porcaro posted Opened in 1924 as Municipal Grant Park Stadium, it was renamed Soldier Field in 1925. It had seating for as many as 120,000 people and was large enough to hold automobile races. There was a ski jumping contest held there,as well. Over 120,000 attended in 1937 the city high school football Prep Bowl between Austin and Leo. Bears and Chicago Cardinals played against each other there. While Soldier Field hardly resembles what it once looked like, it is still a Chicago gem. [Some people see Soldier Field, I see an overview of IC Central Station. The platform roof is in the foreground of the yellow rectangle and the waiting room is on the right. We can also see some of the coach yards that were south of the station.] |
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| Dennis DeBruler posted Central Station is in the upper right. But what caught my eye is the curving elevated track that reminded me that the St. Charles Air Line used to connect only to the north. Now it connects only to the south. Charlie Vlk I wish there was a similar photo of the area taken around 1880...it would show the pre-track elevation StCAL and the MC and CB&Q roundhouses just to the south of the StCAL curve and the CB&Q Indiana Avenue Depot to the north of the curve. The Indiana Avenue depot was built from Chicago & Crystal Lake Ice Company ice houses immediately after the Chicago Fire and used for temporary depot for CB&Q and MC trains until the Great Central depot was cleared and rebuilt. It remained a stop on the CB&Q until the move to the Fort Wayne Depot. Dennis DeBrulerYou and 1 other manage the membership, moderators, settings, and posts for Chicago Railroad Historians. I've read that C&NW also used to use the StCAL to get to IC's station. Since StCAL crossed the Rock Island + NYC routes, it was effectively the first belt-line railroad in Chicago. I'd settle for some good maps of the area as it changed during the 1800s instead of a photo. Charlie Vlk Unfortunately all the maps I've seen do not show enough detail of the area to establish location of the Indiana Avenue Depot or the track arrangement of the CB&Q and MC facilities. A pre-1883 Sanborn Map would be the ticket but I don't know how far back they go and sometimes the railroads are not shown accurately because they were often self-insured. |
Saw a photo of an IC passenger train bound for Central Station coming from Iowa. It was about to pass over the Air Line. Did the Iowa trains have to go South past the station and back up to unload passengers? Can't see any other way? But I remember a cutoff going South past the station I though there was a way for the passenger trains to head to the IC main along the Santa Fe tracks going over the river. And I believe the first IC stop would have been at Elmhurst before it passed Hawthorne Race Track?Mitch Markovitz Trains from Iowa on the I.C. headed east, and then turned north down a ramp right into 12th Street Station. Elmhurst was west of Hawthorne.
Norm Alexander There was a steeper ramp for the IC Iowa Division passenger trains to directly access St Charles Air Line from Central station. No back up moves needed.
There was also a longer ramp from the Air Line that headed north to Congress Yard which was the terminal for all Iowa Division freights until the new ramp was built in the 1960s to allow Iowa freights to run to Markham Yard instead.
Bob Lalich The south wye wasn't built until 1968.
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| David Daruszka commented on a posting And a picture of the station most people would like to forget. Dennis DeBruler The loss of this station doesn't bother me near as much as the loss of Grand Central Station: http://towns-and-nature.blogspot.com/.../chicago-il-grand... |
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| Mark Llanuza posted July 1974 Central station |
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| David Daruszka commented on a posting Architect's drawing. |
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| David Daruszka commented on a posting Carriage entrance. |
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| Michael Riha posted Michael Riha Here's an angle not covered already. (Photo by my father, mid-60s.) |
Mike Breski posted three photos with the comment:
IC’S CENTRAL STATION, CHICAGO Illinois Central opened its Central Station on Chicago’s lakefront in April 1893. This 1950s view shows the grand arched waiting room, which was marred in 1962 by the installation of a false ceiling. Demolition came in 1974.
Photo 1 Illinois Central Depot, circa 1901 Detroit Publishing Co. no. 013260. Public DomainPhoto 2 IC photo Phot 3 The Hawkeye at Central Station on April 4, 1971 A Roger Puta Photograph Public Domainhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Station_(Chicago_terminal)PLEASE NOTE DESCRIPTION'S ARE AS IS FROM PHOTOGRAPHER OR THE ARCHIVE IT IS FROM AND MAY HAVE INACCURACIES. COMMENTS ENCOURAGED.
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Robert Daly posted nine photos with the comment: "My photos of Central Station. See photo captions for descriptions and dates."
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| 1 Entrance lobby as it was being demolished, 8/3/74 Paul Jevert: Very Sad. The death sentence was embellished by the fact that the station and train shed and out buildings stood on the Lakefront front porch of the City on multi-million $$$$$$$$$$$ Dollar real estate development property. I.C. developed the "Air Rights" approach for the Commercial and Retail Business interests in the early 1950's, vis-a-vi Prudential Building (1952), and many followed suit. Chicago Union Station, Chicago Northwestern Terminal, LaSalle St. Terminal, Polk St. Station, and B&O/ C&O Grand Central Station etc. |
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| 2 Fireplace in entrance lobby 3/4/72 |
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| 3 Sign facing Michigan Ave. The Michigan Central sign had been removed after MC trains moved to LaSalle St Station in 1958. 6/22/74. |
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| 4 Entrance lobby from waiting room level 3/4/72 Paul Jevert: Central Station leaded glass window with Illinois Central herald was broken during the Sept. 1968 Anti-War riots in Grant Park at Logan Monument, Blackstone Hotel and Conrad Hilton at 8th St. |
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| 5 Stairs and escalator to Waiting room 3/4/72 |
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| 6 Plaque commemorating opening of the station 3/4/72. |
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| 7 Waiting room and gates looking southwest 3/4/72. The vaulted ceiling had been lowered in 1963. Paul Jevert: I was a Gateman and Train announcer at Central Station (1965-1968) |
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| 8 Waiting room looking northwest 3/4/72. |
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| 9 Amtrak notice announcing closure of Central Station on 3/6/72 and move of trains to Union Station. |
Samuel Augustus Jennings posted two photos with the comment:
Samuel Augustus Jennings Photo: Google ImagesIllinois Central Station
PARMELEE TRANSFER
Chicago, IllinoisI passed through Central Station many times when traveling between Detroit and Orlando from 1958 to 1960. I rode IC's "City of Miami" and NYC's "Motor City Special" so I had to change trains in Chicago where Parmelee Transfer whisked me between Lasalle and Central stations to make my connections.I never lingered in this Waiting Room during lengthy layovers because I was too busy sneaking onto the platforms to watch the beautiful brown, orange and yellow Illinois Central trains. I was a young teen in love with trains so I was indeed in Railroad Heaven at my favorite Chicago railroad station.
Paul Flaherty That's how I remember the ceiling and not the later lowered version. The rounded end wooden benches were also memorial.
Paul Jevert Central Station, Chicago and that Waiting Room is where I started my 42 year Railroad career back in 1965 as a "Gateman" who announced the trains and loaded and inspected both I.C./ Pullman, and Interline transportation of each "Boarding passenger" before they entered the Departure Gates ! Visitors and family were not allowed to go down the stairs to the platform loading area and inbound arrivals came in downstairs at the cab stand at the north end of the station ! I worked CS for four years from 1965-69 and transferred to the Operating Dept. as locomotive fireman in May 1969.
Paul Jevert Samuel Augustus Jennings The way I figure I and Lenny Granberg are the last two (2) living "Rail's" that had actually worked on the Gates at Central Station and called trains, punched tickets, worked the Traffic Director position, and had any extended period of years of assignment at the depot. I also was locomotive fireman on the very last Central Station Coach Yard Switcher and Turnaround on a Saturday afternoon in 1972 with my buddy engineer Don Olenick, and switchman Charlie Venegas.Paul Jevert Central Station, Chicago and that Waiting Room is where I started my 42 year Railroad career back in 1965 as a "Gateman" who announced the trains and loaded and inspected both I.C./ Pullman, and Interline transportation of each "Boarding passenger" before they entered the Departure Gates ! Visitors and family were not allowed to go down the stairs to the platform loading area and inbound arrivals came in downstairs at the cab stand at the north end of the station ! I worked CS for four years from 1965-69 and transferred to the Operating Dept. as locomotive fireman in May 1969.
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[I believe these photos are redundant, so I was going to pass up this post until Paul added his comment.]
Paul Jevert No AC ! The Station was steam heated from the Power Plant at 14th St. and the Waiting Room was as cold and drafty as a "New England Barn" with that high vaulted ceiling ! After the false ceiling was installed in 1958 it was a little warmer in winter but it still was drafty ! I should knoe since I was a GATEMAN at that Depot from 1965-1969. We "FROZE" in January 1967 ! The old east wall before the "Drop ceiling" had a balcony with seats and windows to look out on Lake Michigan during the warmer months. There was a stained glass representation of "BEN HUR, a story of Christ" and his chariot from Gen. Lew Wallace's Novel (1880) of the same name above the lookout balcony. The Big Four train's to and from Indiana arrived from Cincinnati at Central Station and Gen. Wallace lived in Crawfordsville and James Whitcomb Riley lived in Indianapolis, IN. A Big Four train was named in his Honor !
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| Screenshot from a video montage. A comment by Brianbobcat: "The white building in the background are apartments located at 1140 S. Michigan Avenue. The photographer is standing essentially where Roosevelt Road now runs." |
Michael Brandt posted two images with the comment: "A nice article about the closing of the IC's iconic Central Station." [Published in 1972.]
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The track layout north of the station:
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| National railroad Museum posted This vintage photo of Illinois Central's Panama Limited train rolling through Chicago is among more than 100,000 items in the archives of the National Railroad Museum. We invite you to come immerse yourself in railroad history by exploring our historic trains and exhibits. The Museum is open year-round; winter hours are 9 am to 4 pm Tuesdays through Saturdays and 11 am to 4 pm Sundays (closed Mondays) Michael Riha shared Mark Niceley: That's the former Stevens Hotel now Conrad Hilton, in the Background. My Mom and Dad, honeymooned there in 1946. Mom would joke that Dad watched trains, the whole night!! Paul Musselman: Mark Niceley It once boasted as being the largest hotel in the world... Bernie Lyngdal: Mark Niceley And across the street to the North is the Blackstone where Harry Truman had his arm twisted to become FDR's veep in 1944. Dennis DeBruler: Since this is north of the station, I don't think that train is rolling very fast. I think it is pulling into the station for loading. Michael Riha: It might also be posed for publicity photos. |
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| Bill Archer commented on Michael's share 1956 R-O-W map. |
Jack Ferry's posting has some interesting comments by him and others concerning Michigan Central's use of Central and La Salle Stations.
A 1971 view that has part of a freight house on the left. Steve Haber posted it without credit, but one of the comments provides an image with more accurate colors.
George Schmelzle's Facebook posting has a nice description and several of the comments contribute additional photos.
A web page with several neat photos.
A video of IC passenger trains, and at 0:55 are steam engines at this station. And another view at 1:40 with a steam powered train arriving.
Illinois Railway Museum posted a limited-use, unique view from the east.
4 photos including the 1974 demolition
Raymond Kunst shared 23 photos
A Mike Savad watercolor (source)
Scene in color 1901
Location: Grant Park, Roosevelt Rd & Michigan Ave
Location: Grant Park, Roosevelt Rd & Michigan Ave
This is the Illinois central depot, opened in 1893 to meet the demands of the World's Columbian Exposition. Its built in a Romanesque Revival style, it was 9 stories tall, 13 stories for the clock tower. In it's day, it had the largest train shed in the world, measuring 140 by 610 feet. It was used as an intercity passenger terminal in downtown Chicago. They also served other companies track usage rights.
This building was located at Roosevelt Rd & Michigan ave, its at the back of Grant park. The are is currently grass and metal sculptures. The water on the left, used to be very close to this building. They filled it in, to expand the park. If your still not properly oriented, on the right is the Rosenburg fountain, a drinking fountain of its day, it probably never moved.
They tore this lovely structure down in 1974, so it did last quite a while. This block is also gone, its all one big park now, its not known when they tore the other houses down.
I am trying to find photos or maps of the Indiana Avenue station on the St. Charles Air Line. It was converted from three Chicago & Crystal Lake Ice Company ice houses and was used by the CB&Q and briefly MC and IC after the destruction of Great Central Station in the Chicago Fire. It remained a ticket office and stop on the CB&Q until it moved to the Fort Wayne Union Station on Canal Street. Also looking for photos of the 16th & Canal Street, Blue Island Avenue, Ashland Avenue, CC&IC Crossing, and pre-track elevation Western Avenue Depot buildings....and Douglas Park, Millard Avenue/Shedd Park/Lawndale/Lonsdale,
ReplyDeleteCrawford, Hawthorne, Morton Park, Clyde, pre-1890 LaVergne and Harlem Avenue, Riverside Roundhouse, pre-1900 Stone Avenue/West Lyons, Bryn Mawr, Burliington Heights depots. Interested in corresponding with anyone interested in the Aurora-Chicago line of the CB&Q and predecessors...am working on a history of the line. Charlie Vlk