Chicago, Lake Street Elevated Railroad, 1894

The Lake Street Elevated Railroad was the second permanent elevated rapid transit line to be constructed in Chicago, Illinois. Construction of the line began in 1889, but potential investors found the franchise too restrictive and a new 40 year franchise was awarded by the city council in 1890, that allowed the railroad to extend to Market Street in downtown Chicago. By 1892 the company had debts of $17 million and was sold to new owners, renamed the Lake Street Elevated Railroad Company, and a new charter was granted on in 1892. The first section, running from the downtown terminal at Market Street and Madison to California Avenue opened to the public on October 28, 1893, and the line was completed to 52nd Avenue - a total length of 6.4 miles - by April 23, 1894. Its route is still used today as part of the Green Line route of the Chicago ""L"" system.

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AKG5465460

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akg-images / Science Source

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