Palos Park, IL: Wabash Depot

Current Location: (Satellite, Street View)

MWRD posted
Historical Photo of the Week: A view of the Wabash Railway in Palos Park looking to the northeast from 123rd Street on January 20, 1921.

Jimmy Fiedler commented on the above posting
This map shows the old alignment of the Wabash. Notice how the old alignment lines up with southwest highway today. This was changed around WW1

Digitally Zoomed

Bill Molony posted

In 1914, the Wabash Railroad constructed an all new right-of-way between Orland Park and Worth and a new bridge over the newly constructed Calumet-Sag Channel. 

This realignment required moving the Wabash depot at Palos Park depot 1/3 of a mile north and east from its original location. 

This 1914 photograph shows the depot up on blocks during the move.

Richard Fiedler shared

Richard Fiedler shared

Richard Fiedler posted 12 photos with the comment: "Wabash Depot Palos Park Illinois. There were 2 depots in the Palos area one at MP 20.4 called Palos Springs a standard Chicago & Strawn 18x36' structure built in 1880 and the other at Palos Park MP 20.9 which is the one pictured. Built in 1902 measuring 16x44' with a Patio and the only known Wabash depot with a patio. Palos was not a telegraph or train order agency. In 1914 the Wabash straightened and relocated their mainline here. At one time the double track from Chicago ran out all the way to Orland Park but was later cut back to Palos Park where this depot was located. Ironically Metra has recently relaid that second track to Orland Park. Photos Robert Fiedler and Bill Molony unless otherwise noted."

Richard Fiedler shared with the comment: "Thought I’d repost this with additional photos and information on the Wabash Railroad line relocation and straightening at Palos IL."

1
Photo Robert Fiedler. Depot in the moving process due to line relocation 1914.

2
Photo Bill Molony

3
Pictured just prior to demolition.

4
A southbound Wabash local at Palos.

5
Line relocation project 1914.

6
Local crossing the Cal Sag Canal about 1930.

7
1949.

8
Southwest Hwy Rt 7 occupies most of the original Wabash right of way.

9
View from 123rd St looking north 1/20/21. From Metropolitan Sanitary District Archives.

10
Working on a cut on the new line at Palos IL.

11
This looks like some blasting being done on the new right of way at Palos.

12
Work progressing on the new right of way at Palos.

Richard Fiedler commented on his post
Another view of Palos just prior to demolition.

Andrew Urbanski commented on Richard's share
2004 watched them put the double track back in place all the way to Orland Park, grew up 4 houses away from the tracks at where the Palos Springs stop was located.