South Side Elevated Explained

South Side Elevated
Type:Rapid transit
System:Chicago "L"
Status:Operational
Locale:Chicago, Illinois, United States
Start:Roosevelt
End:Garfield
Stations:8
Daily Ridership:8,119
(average weekday 2019)
Open:June 6, 1892
Operator:Chicago Transit Authority (1947 - present)
Chicago Rapid Transit Company (1924 - 1947)
South Side Elevated Railroad (1892 - 1924)
Character:Elevated
Stock:5000-series
Linelength:6.5miles
Electrification:Third rail, 600 V DC

The South Side Elevated is a branch of the Chicago "L" system in Chicago, Illinois that is served by the Green Line. It has on average 12,509 passengers, counting branch divisions, boarding each weekday as of February 2013, according to the Chicago Transit Authority.[1] The branch is 6.5miles[2] long with a total of 8 stations, and runs from the Near South Side to the Washington Park neighborhood of Chicago.

Route

The South Side Elevated serves the Near South Side, Douglas, Bronzeville, Grand Boulevard, and Washington Park neighborhoods of Chicago and has stops near the Illinois Institute of Technology and the University of Chicago.

The South Side Elevated continues to the Englewood branch and the Jackson Park branch .

History

The South Side Elevated started passenger service on June 6, 1892, with service as far south as 39th Street (Pershing Road), making the branch the oldest section of the Chicago "L". On January 22, 1893, service on the line was extended as far south as 61st Street. The Jackson Park branch was added later in 1893 to serve the site of the 1893 World's Fair. Several other branches over time to serve parts of the city, though most have since been demolished. The Englewood branch was opened in 1905, followed by the Kenwood and Normal Park branches in 1907, and the Stock Yards branch in 1908. Today, only the Englewood (now Ashland) and Jackson Park (now East 63rd) branches remain.

In 1993, the Green Line was created when the CTA color-coded the lines. In 1994, the 58th station closed while remaining stations were renovated or rebuilt entirely depending on their condition. In 2012, the platform of the 58th station was completely demolished. In 2015, a new station opened in the same location as the original Cermak station, to serve the McCormick Place convention center.[3] [4] [5]

Station listing

StationLocationNotes
550 S. Holden CourtClosed October 18, 1897, reopened March 10, 1902. Closed August 1, 1949; demolished.
500 S. Wabash AvenueClosed August 1, 1949; demolished
22 E. Roosevelt RoadOriginally called 12th Street
18th Street18th Street and Wabash AvenueClosed August 1, 1949; demolished
12 E. Cermak RoadOriginally called 22nd Street
26th Street and Wabash AvenueClosed August 1, 1949; demolished
29th Street and Wabash AvenueClosed August 1, 1949; demolished
31st Street near State StreetClosed August 1, 1949; demolished
33rd Street and Wabash AvenueClosed September 25, 1961; demolished
16 E. 35th StreetOriginally called 35th Street, later Tech-35th
Pershing Road and State StreetOriginal southern terminal, Closed August 1, 1949; demolished
4003 S. Indiana AvenueFormer terminal for Stock Yards and Kenwood Lines
314 E. 43rd Street
314 E. 47th StreetTerminal of Prairie extension.
319 E. 51st StreetTerminal of Washington Park extension.
320 E. Garfield BoulevardOriginally called 55th Street
58th320-24 E. 58th StreetClosed January 9, 1994; demolished

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ridership Report: February 2013. Chicago Transit Authority. transitchicago.com. April 8, 2013.
  2. Web site: Garfield. Graham. South Side Elevated. Chicago-L.org. Chicago 'L'. August 26, 2012.
  3. Mayor Emanuel Opens Newly-Renovated Grand Avenue Red Line Station. City of Chicago. January 17, 2012. January 17, 2012.
  4. Web site: Emanuel to announce two new CTA stations . January 17, 2012 . abclocal.go.com . January 17, 2012.
  5. News: Hilkevitch . Jon . February 9, 2015 . Long-awaited Cermak-McCormick Place Green Line station opens . The Chicago Tribune . February 12, 2016.