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Brown Line (Chicago Transit Authority)
Encyclopedia
The Brown Line starts out in northwest Chicago, at the Kimball and Lawrence Avenue terminal (3400 W. - 4800 N.) in Albany Park
, where there is a storage yard and servicing shop for the trains to the east of the passenger station. From there, trains operate over street level tracks between Leland and Eastwood Avenues to Rockwell Street, then ramp up to the elevated structure for the rest of the trip.
The trains on the street-level section are powered by third rail rather than overhead catenary (the technology used by most other U.S. electric-powered at-grade rail systems), a decision that exposes wayward pedestrians to the risk of electrocution. A fatal accident in 1977 involving a severely intoxicated Korean immigrant who attempted to urinate on the third rail at the Kedzie station eventually resulted in a famous Illinois Supreme Court decision in 1992 affirming a verdict of $1.5 million against CTA.
After the Damen station, the route turns south, about one-half block parallel and west of Metra
's Union Pacific North
railroad line and Ravenswood Avenue to a point south of the Addison station. Here the route turns east again and runs parallel to Roscoe Street past Sheffield Avenue where it once again turns south at Clark Junction to join the four-track North Side elevated line in Lakeview
. From just north of Belmont station south to Armitage, Brown and Red Line
trains operate side-by-side, with Purple Line Express
trains sharing the tracks during weekday rush hours. Brown and Purple Line trains run on the outermost tracks serving five stops, while Red Line trains run on the innermost tracks making only two stops.
South of the Armitage station, Brown and Purple Line trains continue southward towards the Chicago Loop
on elevated track which zigzag
s its way through the neighborhoods of Lincoln Park
and Near North Side
before stopping at Chicago and Franklin. Running over Franklin, then Wells Street, a stop is made at the Merchandise Mart before crossing the Chicago River
on the upper lever of the Wells Street Bridge
before joining the Loop Elevated at Lake Street
. Operating counterclockwise, Brown Line trains extend around the Loop over the Outer track via Wells-Van Buren-Wabash-Lake, serving all Loop stations, before the return trip back north to the Albany Park terminal.
consists of Morrison-Knudsen-built 3200-Series rail cars, delivered from 1992 through 1994.
Beginning March 30, 2008, the Brown Line began running eight cars on trains during rush periods
, since all of the re-opened or renovated stations have been rebuilt to accommodate eight-car trains. Prior to this, although ridership certainly warranted eight-car trains on the Ravenswood–Brown Line during rush periods
, most stations on the line couldn't berth longer than six-car trains. Six cars are standard on the Brown Line during midday. Early morning, late evening, and weekend service is generally provided by four-car trains, although this may vary due to special events.
opened the Ravenswood branch between the existing main line and Western Avenue
in Lincoln Square
on May 18, 1907. The route was completed to the Kimball/Lawrence terminal on December 14, 1907. The Ravenswood Line remains basically unchanged since its early days, aside from a few cosmetic upgrades to its stations and elevated structures.
The Kimball/Lawrence terminal was completely remodeled and a new bridge over the North Branch of the Chicago River
was completed in the 1970s. The Western and Merchandise Mart stations were rebuilt in the 1980s. Prior to the start of the Brown Line Capacity Expansion Project these two stations, along with the Kimball/Lawrence terminal were the only ADA accessible stations on the Brown Line outside of the Loop.
On February 20, 2006 the CTA formally broke ground on the Brown Line Capacity Expansion Project in order to repair its aging infrastructure and increase passenger capacity at Brown Line stations. The primary features of the project include:
Only one station—Merchandise Mart
—is not being touched at all because of its 1988 reconstruction and its existing ability to accommodate 8-car trains. Another two stations, Kimball
and Western
only received small platform extensions and little other work. The other 16 stations were largely or completely rebuilt.
The first two stations to be rebuilt—Kedzie and Rockwell—reopened on August 16, 2006. Following the dedication of the new Wellington station on July 30, 2009, all of the Brown Line stations that were temporarily closed for renovation are now open. The project was completed on December 31, 2009.
At Clark/Lake, Brown Line trains head back to Merchandise Mart, then make all stops in reverse to Kimball.
Albany Park, Chicago
Albany Park is one of 77 well-defined Chicago, Illinois, community areas on the Northwest Side of the City of Chicago. It includes the Albany Park neighborhood, one of the most ethnically diverse in the United States...
, where there is a storage yard and servicing shop for the trains to the east of the passenger station. From there, trains operate over street level tracks between Leland and Eastwood Avenues to Rockwell Street, then ramp up to the elevated structure for the rest of the trip.
The trains on the street-level section are powered by third rail rather than overhead catenary (the technology used by most other U.S. electric-powered at-grade rail systems), a decision that exposes wayward pedestrians to the risk of electrocution. A fatal accident in 1977 involving a severely intoxicated Korean immigrant who attempted to urinate on the third rail at the Kedzie station eventually resulted in a famous Illinois Supreme Court decision in 1992 affirming a verdict of $1.5 million against CTA.
After the Damen station, the route turns south, about one-half block parallel and west of Metra
Metra
Metra is the commuter rail division of the Illinois Regional Transportation Authority. The system serves Chicago and its metropolitan area through 240 stations on 11 different rail lines. Throughout the 21st century, Metra has been the second busiest commuter rail system in the United States by...
's Union Pacific North
Union Pacific/North Line
The Union Pacific/North is a commuter rail line in the Chicago metropolitan area that runs between Chicago and Waukegan, Illinois, with some trains continuing to Kenosha, Wisconsin. It is part of the Metra system, but it is operated by the Union Pacific Railroad...
railroad line and Ravenswood Avenue to a point south of the Addison station. Here the route turns east again and runs parallel to Roscoe Street past Sheffield Avenue where it once again turns south at Clark Junction to join the four-track North Side elevated line in Lakeview
Lakeview, Chicago
Lake View, or Lakeview, is one of the 77 community area of the Chicago, Illinois, located in the city's North Side. It is bordered by West Diversey Parkway on the south, West Irving Park Road on the north, North Ravenswood Avenue on the west, and the shore of Lake Michigan on the east...
. From just north of Belmont station south to Armitage, Brown and Red Line
Red Line (Chicago Transit Authority)
The northern terminus of the Red Line is Howard Street in the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago , on the City Limits farthest north. The Red Line extends southeasterly on an elevated embankment structure about a half-mile west of the lakefront to Touhy Avenue then turns south along Glenwood...
trains operate side-by-side, with Purple Line Express
Purple Line (Chicago Transit Authority)
The Purple Line of the Chicago Transit Authority is a branch line on the northernmost section of the Chicago 'L' rapid transit network. Normally, it extends south from the Wilmette terminal at Linden Avenue, passing through Evanston to Howard Street, on Chicago's northern city limits...
trains sharing the tracks during weekday rush hours. Brown and Purple Line trains run on the outermost tracks serving five stops, while Red Line trains run on the innermost tracks making only two stops.
South of the Armitage station, Brown and Purple Line trains continue southward towards the Chicago Loop
Chicago Loop
The Loop or Chicago Loop is one of 77 officially designated Chicago community areas located in the City of Chicago, Illinois. It is the historic commercial center of downtown Chicago...
on elevated track which zigzag
Zigzag
A zigzag is a pattern made up of small corners at variable angles, though constant within the zigzag, tracing a path between two parallel lines; it can be described as both jagged and fairly regular....
s its way through the neighborhoods of Lincoln Park
Lincoln Park, Chicago
Lincoln Park, is one of the 77 community areas on Chicago, Illinois North Side, USA. Named after Lincoln Park, a vast park bordering Lake Michigan, the community area is anchored by the Lincoln Park Zoo and DePaul University...
and Near North Side
Near North Side, Chicago
The Near North Side is one of 77 well-defined community areas of Chicago, Illinois, United States. It is located north and east of the Chicago River, just north of the central business district . To its east is Lake Michigan and its northern boundary is the 19th-century city limit of Chicago,...
before stopping at Chicago and Franklin. Running over Franklin, then Wells Street, a stop is made at the Merchandise Mart before crossing the Chicago River
Chicago River
The Chicago River is a system of rivers and canals with a combined length of that runs through the city of the same name, including its center . Though not especially long, the river is notable for being the reason why Chicago became an important location, as the link between the Great Lakes and...
on the upper lever of the Wells Street Bridge
Wells Street Bridge
The Wells Street Bridge over the Chicago River was built in 1922. Standing east of the Franklin Street Bridge and southeast of the Merchandise Mart, the bascule bridge connects the Near North Side with "The Loop." The bridge is double decked, the lower deck carrying 3 lanes of traffic south over...
before joining the Loop Elevated at Lake Street
Lake Street (Chicago)
Lake Street is an east-west arterial road in Chicago and its suburbs. Part of Lake Street is designated as U.S. Route 20. Lake Street begins in the city of Chicago and travels west and slightly north to the Chicago suburbs. It ends at the eastern terminus of the Elgin Bypass around Elgin, where...
. Operating counterclockwise, Brown Line trains extend around the Loop over the Outer track via Wells-Van Buren-Wabash-Lake, serving all Loop stations, before the return trip back north to the Albany Park terminal.
Operating fleet
Currently, the Brown Line's rolling stockRolling stock
Rolling stock comprises all the vehicles that move on a railway. It usually includes both powered and unpowered vehicles, for example locomotives, railroad cars, coaches and wagons...
consists of Morrison-Knudsen-built 3200-Series rail cars, delivered from 1992 through 1994.
Beginning March 30, 2008, the Brown Line began running eight cars on trains during rush periods
Rush hour
A rush hour or peak hour is a part of the day during which traffic congestion on roads and crowding on public transport is at its highest. Normally, this happens twice a day—once in the morning and once in the evening, the times during when the most people commute...
, since all of the re-opened or renovated stations have been rebuilt to accommodate eight-car trains. Prior to this, although ridership certainly warranted eight-car trains on the Ravenswood–Brown Line during rush periods
Rush hour
A rush hour or peak hour is a part of the day during which traffic congestion on roads and crowding on public transport is at its highest. Normally, this happens twice a day—once in the morning and once in the evening, the times during when the most people commute...
, most stations on the line couldn't berth longer than six-car trains. Six cars are standard on the Brown Line during midday. Early morning, late evening, and weekend service is generally provided by four-car trains, although this may vary due to special events.
History
The Northwestern Elevated RailroadNorthwestern Elevated Railroad
The Northwestern Elevated Railroad was the last of the privately constructed rapid transit lines to be built in Chicago, Illinois. The line ran from the Loop in downtown Chicago north to Wilson Avenue in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood a with branch to Ravenswood and Albany Park that left the main...
opened the Ravenswood branch between the existing main line and Western Avenue
Western (CTA Brown Line)
Western is an 'L' station on the CTA's Brown Line. It is an elevated station with two side platforms, located in the Lincoln Square neighborhood. The adjacent stations are Rockwell, which is located about one quarter mile to the west, and Damen, about one half mile to the east...
in Lincoln Square
Lincoln Square, Chicago
Lincoln Square, located on the North Side of the city of Chicago, Illinois, is one of 77 well-defined Chicago community areas. Greater Lincoln Square encompasses the smaller neighborhoods of Ravenswood Manor, Ravenswood Gardens, Ravenswood, Bowmanville, Budlong Woods and Lincoln Square...
on May 18, 1907. The route was completed to the Kimball/Lawrence terminal on December 14, 1907. The Ravenswood Line remains basically unchanged since its early days, aside from a few cosmetic upgrades to its stations and elevated structures.
The Kimball/Lawrence terminal was completely remodeled and a new bridge over the North Branch of the Chicago River
Chicago River
The Chicago River is a system of rivers and canals with a combined length of that runs through the city of the same name, including its center . Though not especially long, the river is notable for being the reason why Chicago became an important location, as the link between the Great Lakes and...
was completed in the 1970s. The Western and Merchandise Mart stations were rebuilt in the 1980s. Prior to the start of the Brown Line Capacity Expansion Project these two stations, along with the Kimball/Lawrence terminal were the only ADA accessible stations on the Brown Line outside of the Loop.
Brown Line Capacity Expansion Project
- Reconstruction of stations and trackage and make each station ADA compliant
- Lengthening of platforms to accommodate eight-car trains
- Modernization of right-of-way between Kimball and Rockwell Avenue
- Upgrade of traction power equipment and train control systems
- Installation of a new fiber optic communication network.
Only one station—Merchandise Mart
Merchandise Mart (CTA)
Merchandise Mart is a station on the Chicago Transit Authority's 'L' system, located in the Near North Side at 350 North Wells Street in Chicago, Illinois . The original station was opened on December 5, 1930, and rebuilt in 1988. Prior to 1963 the station also served interurban trains of the North...
—is not being touched at all because of its 1988 reconstruction and its existing ability to accommodate 8-car trains. Another two stations, Kimball
Kimball (CTA)
Kimball is the 'L' station at the terminus of the CTA's Brown Line. It is located in Chicago's Albany Park neighborhood. From Kimball trains run south and then east to Kedzie, which is about one third of a mile away...
and Western
Western (CTA Brown Line)
Western is an 'L' station on the CTA's Brown Line. It is an elevated station with two side platforms, located in the Lincoln Square neighborhood. The adjacent stations are Rockwell, which is located about one quarter mile to the west, and Damen, about one half mile to the east...
only received small platform extensions and little other work. The other 16 stations were largely or completely rebuilt.
The first two stations to be rebuilt—Kedzie and Rockwell—reopened on August 16, 2006. Following the dedication of the new Wellington station on July 30, 2009, all of the Brown Line stations that were temporarily closed for renovation are now open. The project was completed on December 31, 2009.
Station listing
| Brown Line (Ravenswood branch) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Station | Location | Points of Interest & Notes |
| Kimball | 4755 N. Kimball Avenue | North Park University North Park University North Park University is a four-year university located at 3225 W. Foster Avenue on the north side of Chicago, Illinois in the North Park neighborhood. It was founded in 1891 by the Evangelical Covenant Church and shares its campus with the denomination's only seminary... , Northeastern Illinois University Northeastern Illinois University Northeastern Illinois University is a public state university located in Chicago, Illinois. The main campus is located in the community area of North Park with three additional campuses in the metropolitan area. Tracing its founding to 1867, it was first established as a separate branch of a... , Northside College Prep, Albany Park Library Albany Park Library Albany Park Library is a branch of the Chicago Public Library located at 5150 N. Kimball Ave. in the North Park neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. It was opened in 1963 and is ADA compliant. It currently holds large collections of Korean and Spanish language materials.-External links:**... |
| Kedzie | 4648 N. Kedzie Avenue | Swedish Covenant Hospital Swedish Covenant Hospital Swedish Covenant Hospital is a comprehensive health care facility providing health and wellness services to the communities of Chicago’s North and Northwest sides. As an established academic and community hospital, Swedish Covenant Hospital offers a full range of medical programs, including cancer,... |
| Francisco | 4648 N. Francisco Avenue | |
| Rockwell | 4648 N. Rockwell Street | Rockwell Street Neighborhood Shops |
| Western | 4648 N. Western Avenue | Lincoln Square, Chicago Lincoln Square, Chicago Lincoln Square, located on the North Side of the city of Chicago, Illinois, is one of 77 well-defined Chicago community areas. Greater Lincoln Square encompasses the smaller neighborhoods of Ravenswood Manor, Ravenswood Gardens, Ravenswood, Bowmanville, Budlong Woods and Lincoln Square... , Sulzer Regional Library Conrad Sulzer Regional Library Conrad Sulzer Regional Library, formerly Hild Regional Library, is one of two regional libraries in the Chicago Public Library system in Chicago. It was named for Conrad Sulzer, a 19th century Swiss settler in what was then Lakeview Township.. The library is located in the Lincoln Square... , Old Town School of Folk Music Old Town School of Folk Music The Old Town School of Folk Music is a Chicago teaching and performing institution that launched the careers of many notable folk music artists... |
Damen  |
4645 N. Damen Avenue | Transfer to Metra Metra Metra is the commuter rail division of the Illinois Regional Transportation Authority. The system serves Chicago and its metropolitan area through 240 stations on 11 different rail lines. Throughout the 21st century, Metra has been the second busiest commuter rail system in the United States by... trains at Ravenswood Ravenswood (Metra) Ravenswood is a railroad station on the North Side of Chicago serving Metra's Union Pacific/North Line. It is located at 4800 North Ravenswood Avenue, just south of West Lawrence Avenue... . |
| Ravenswood | Closed on August 1, 1949 | |
| Montrose | 1817 W. Montrose Avenue | Margie's Candies Margie's Candies Margie’s Candies is the name of two popular confectioneries on the north side of Chicago, Illinois. Owned by the same family, each one is part candy store and part sit-down ice cream parlor... |
| Irving Park | 1816 W. Irving Park Road | |
| Addison | 1818 W. Addison Street | |
| Paulina | 3410 N. Lincoln Avenue | Roscoe Village |
| Southport | 3411 N. Southport Avenue | Music Box Theatre Music Box Theatre, Chicago The Music Box Theatre at 3733 N. Southport Ave., Chicago, Illinois, opened on August 22, 1929, a time when the movie palaces in downtown Chicago each had seating capacities of around 3,000 people. The Music Box, which sat 800, was considered an elaborate little brother to those theatres... |
| Brown Line (North Side Main Line) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Station | Location | Points of Interest & Notes |
| Belmont | 945 W. Belmont Avenue | Lakeview Lakeview, Chicago Lake View, or Lakeview, is one of the 77 community area of the Chicago, Illinois, located in the city's North Side. It is bordered by West Diversey Parkway on the south, West Irving Park Road on the north, North Ravenswood Avenue on the west, and the shore of Lake Michigan on the east... , Briar Street Theater Briar Street Theater The Briar Street Theater is located in Chicago, Illinois and is currently home to the long-running Blue Man Group. It originally was the carriage house for the Marshall Field and Company horses and was then bought by William Topel and reconstructed into the theatre it is today... Boystown Boystown, Chicago Boystown is the popular name of a district within Chicago, Illinois. Situated within the neighborhood of Lakeview, it was the first officially recognized gay village in the United States, as well as the cultural center of one of the largest lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender communities in the nation... , The Vic Theatre Transfer station for Red Red Line (Chicago Transit Authority) The northern terminus of the Red Line is Howard Street in the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago , on the City Limits farthest north. The Red Line extends southeasterly on an elevated embankment structure about a half-mile west of the lakefront to Touhy Avenue then turns south along Glenwood... and Purple Lines Purple Line (Chicago Transit Authority) The Purple Line of the Chicago Transit Authority is a branch line on the northernmost section of the Chicago 'L' rapid transit network. Normally, it extends south from the Wilmette terminal at Linden Avenue, passing through Evanston to Howard Street, on Chicago's northern city limits... |
| Wellington | 945 W. Wellington Avenue | Illinois Masonic Medical Center |
| Diversey | 943 W. Diversey Avenue | Lincoln Park Lincoln Park, Chicago Lincoln Park, is one of the 77 community areas on Chicago, Illinois North Side, USA. Named after Lincoln Park, a vast park bordering Lake Michigan, the community area is anchored by the Lincoln Park Zoo and DePaul University... , Elks National Memorial Headquarters Building |
| Wrightwood | Closed August 1, 1949 | |
| Fullerton | 943 W. Fullerton Avenue | Lincoln Park Lincoln Park, Chicago Lincoln Park, is one of the 77 community areas on Chicago, Illinois North Side, USA. Named after Lincoln Park, a vast park bordering Lake Michigan, the community area is anchored by the Lincoln Park Zoo and DePaul University... , DePaul University DePaul University DePaul University is a private institution of higher education and research in Chicago, Illinois. Founded by the Vincentians in 1898, the university takes its name from the 17th century French priest Saint Vincent de Paul... , Children's Memorial Hospital Children's Memorial Hospital Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago, Illinois is a pediatric hospital. The main hospital is located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood on the north side of the city. With more than 1,100 physicians on staff and approximately 4,000 employees, Children’s Memorial focuses on 70 specialties in 17... , St. Josaphat Roman Catholic Church St. Josaphat's in Chicago St. Josaphat is a historic church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago located at 2311 North Southport Avenue in Chicago, Illinois.It is a prime example of the so-called 'Polish Cathedral style' of church in both its opulence and grand scale. St... , Biograph Theater Biograph Theater The Biograph Theater, at 2433 North Lincoln Avenue, Lincoln Park in Chicago, Illinois, was originally a movie theater but now presents live productions. It is notable as the location where bank robber John Dillinger was shot by FBI agents after watching a gangster movie on July 22, 1934... Transfer station for Red Red Line (Chicago Transit Authority) The northern terminus of the Red Line is Howard Street in the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago , on the City Limits farthest north. The Red Line extends southeasterly on an elevated embankment structure about a half-mile west of the lakefront to Touhy Avenue then turns south along Glenwood... and Purple Lines Purple Line (Chicago Transit Authority) The Purple Line of the Chicago Transit Authority is a branch line on the northernmost section of the Chicago 'L' rapid transit network. Normally, it extends south from the Wilmette terminal at Linden Avenue, passing through Evanston to Howard Street, on Chicago's northern city limits... |
| Webster | Closed August 1, 1949 | |
| Armitage | 944 W. Armitage Avenue | Goose Island Brewery Goose Island Brewery Goose Island Brewery is a brewery located in Chicago, Illinois, that began as a single brewpub known as Clybourn, which was opened in May 1988 by John Hall in Lincoln Park, Chicago, Illinois. The larger brewery was opened in 1995, while the second brewpub, Wrigleyville, was opened in 1999... , Lincoln Park Zoo Lincoln Park Zoo Lincoln Park Zoo is a free zoo located in Lincoln Park in Chicago, Illinois. The zoo was founded in 1868, making it one of the oldest zoos in the nation. The zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums .... |
| Willow | Willow Street and Sheffield Avenue | Closed in May 17, 1942 |
| Halsted | Closed August 1, 1949 | |
| Larrabee | Larrabee Street, Ogden Avenue and North Avenue | Closed August 1, 1949 |
| Sedgwick | 1536 N. Sedgwick Street | The Second City The Second City The Second City is a improvisational comedy enterprise which originated in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood.The Second City Theatre opened on December 16, 1959 and has since expanded its presence to several other cities, including Toronto and Los Angeles... , Piper's Alley, Old Town Old Town, Chicago Old Town is a neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois, bounded by the Ogden Ave. right-of-way on the northwest, Larrabee Street on the west, Clybourn Avenue on the southwest and Division Street on the south and Clark Street on the east and northeast. It spans across eastern parts of the community areas... , Chicago History Museum, North Avenue Beach |
| Schiller | Closed August 1, 1949 | |
| Division | Closed August 1, 1949 | |
| Oak | Oak Street and Orleans Street | Closed July 31, 1949 |
| Chicago | 301 W. Chicago Avenue | Moody Bible Institute Moody Bible Institute Moody Bible Institute is a Christian institution of higher education and related ministries that was founded by evangelist and businessman Dwight Lyman Moody in 1886. Since its founding, MBI's main campus has been located in the Near North Side of Chicago. MBI's primary ministries are education,... , Cabrini–Green, River North Gallery District |
| Grand | Grand Avenue and Franklin Street | Closed September 20, 1970 |
| Kinzie | Kinzie Street and Wells Street | Closed 1921; replaced by Grand |
| Merchandise Mart | 350 N. Wells Street | Merchandise Mart Merchandise Mart When opened in 1930, the Merchandise Mart or the Merch Mart, located in the Near North Side, Chicago, Illinois, was the largest building in the world with of floor space. Previously owned by the Marshall Field family, the Mart centralized Chicago's wholesale goods business by consolidating vendors... Transfer station for Purple Line Purple Line (Chicago Transit Authority) The Purple Line of the Chicago Transit Authority is a branch line on the northernmost section of the Chicago 'L' rapid transit network. Normally, it extends south from the Wilmette terminal at Linden Avenue, passing through Evanston to Howard Street, on Chicago's northern city limits... |
| Brown Line (Loop) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Station | Location | Points of Interest & Notes |
| Randolph/Wells | 150 N. Wells St. | Closed July 17, 1995; replaced by Washington/Wells |
| Washington/Wells |
100 N. Wells Street | Chicago City Hall Chicago City Hall Chicago City Hall is the official seat of government of the City of Chicago in Illinois. Adjacent to the Richard J. Daley Center and the James R... , Civic Opera House Lyric Opera of Chicago Lyric Opera of Chicago is one of the leading opera companies in the United States. It was founded in Chicago in 1952, under the name 'Lyric Theatre of Chicago' by Carol Fox, Nicolà Rescigno and Lawrence Kelly, with a season that included Maria Callas's American debut in Norma... , Chicago Mercantile Exchange Chicago Mercantile Exchange The Chicago Mercantile Exchange is an American financial and commodity derivative exchange based in Chicago. The CME was founded in 1898 as the Chicago Butter and Egg Board. Originally, the exchange was a non-profit organization... , Ogilvie Transportation Center Ogilvie Transportation Center The Richard B. Ogilvie Transportation Center is a passenger terminal in downtown Chicago, Illinois, USA, serving the three commuter rail lines of Metra's Union Pacific District, which approach the terminal elevated above street level. It occupies the lower floors of the Citigroup Center... Transfer station for Orange Orange Line (Chicago Transit Authority) The Orange Line, is a rapid transit line in Chicago, Illinois run by the Chicago Transit Authority as part of the 'L' system. It is approximately long, and runs below grade and elevated on existing railroad embankments and new concrete and steel structures from Chicago Midway International... and Pink Lines Pink Line (Chicago Transit Authority) The Pink Line is a rapid transit line in Chicago, run by the Chicago Transit Authority as part of the Chicago 'L' system. It began operation for a 180-day trial period on June 25, 2006, running between 54th/Cermak Station in Cicero, Illinois and the Loop in downtown Chicago... |
| Madison/Wells | 1 N. Wells St. | Closed January 30, 1994; replaced by Washington/Wells |
| Quincy |
220 S. Wells Street | Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower Sears Tower Sears' optimistic growth projections were not met. Competition from its traditional rivals continued, with new competition by retailing giants such as Kmart, Kohl's, and Wal-Mart. The fortunes of Sears & Roebuck declined in the 1970s as the company lost market share; its management grew more... ), Union Station Union Station (Chicago) Union Station is a major train station that opened in 1925 in Chicago, replacing an earlier 1881 station. It is now the only intercity rail terminal in Chicago, as well as being the city's primary terminal for commuter trains. The station stands on the west side of the Chicago River between Adams... Transfer station for Metra Metra Metra is the commuter rail division of the Illinois Regional Transportation Authority. The system serves Chicago and its metropolitan area through 240 stations on 11 different rail lines. Throughout the 21st century, Metra has been the second busiest commuter rail system in the United States by... and Amtrak Amtrak The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union... trains |
| LaSalle/Van Buren |
121 W. Van Buren Street | Chicago Board of Trade Chicago Board of Trade The Chicago Board of Trade , established in 1848, is the world's oldest futures and options exchange. More than 50 different options and futures contracts are traded by over 3,600 CBOT members through open outcry and eTrading. Volumes at the exchange in 2003 were a record breaking 454 million... , Chicago Board Options Exchange Chicago Board Options Exchange The Chicago Board Options Exchange , located at 400 South LaSalle Street in Chicago, is the largest U.S. options exchange with annual trading volume that hovered around one billion contracts at the end of 2007... Transfer station for Metra Metra Metra is the commuter rail division of the Illinois Regional Transportation Authority. The system serves Chicago and its metropolitan area through 240 stations on 11 different rail lines. Throughout the 21st century, Metra has been the second busiest commuter rail system in the United States by... trains LaSalle Street Station LaSalle Street Station LaSalle Street Station is a commuter rail terminal at 414 S. LaSalle Street in downtown Chicago, Illinois, serving Metra's Rock Island District. It was a major intercity rail terminal for the New York Central Railroad until 1968 and the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad until 1978. The... |
| Dearborn/Van Buren | Dearborn Street and Van Buren Street | Closed 1949 |
| Harold Washington Library-State/Van Buren | 1 W. Van Buren Street | Harold Washington Library Center Harold Washington Library The Harold Washington Library Center is the central library for the Chicago Public Library System. It is named for former Mayor Harold Washington. It is located just south of the Loop 'L', at 400 S. State Street in Chicago. It is a full service library and ADA compliant. As with all libraries in... , DePaul University DePaul University DePaul University is a private institution of higher education and research in Chicago, Illinois. Founded by the Vincentians in 1898, the university takes its name from the 17th century French priest Saint Vincent de Paul... , Robert Morris University, John Marshall Law School John Marshall Law School (Chicago) The John Marshall Law School is a law school in Chicago, Illinois, that was founded in 1899 and accredited by the American Bar Association in 1941. The school was named for the influential nineteenth century U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall.... , Chicago Bar Association Chicago Bar Association Founded in 1874, the Chicago Bar Association is a voluntary bar association with over 20,000 members. Like other bar associations, it concerns itself with professional ethics, networking among members, and continuing legal education. It is located adjacent to the John Marshall Law School in the... and The Auditorium Building of Roosevelt University Roosevelt University Roosevelt University is a coeducational, private university with campuses in Chicago, Illinois and Schaumburg, Illinois. Founded in 1945, the university is named in honor of both former President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. The university's curriculum is based on... Transfer station for Purple Purple Line (Chicago Transit Authority) The Purple Line of the Chicago Transit Authority is a branch line on the northernmost section of the Chicago 'L' rapid transit network. Normally, it extends south from the Wilmette terminal at Linden Avenue, passing through Evanston to Howard Street, on Chicago's northern city limits... , Orange Orange Line (Chicago Transit Authority) The Orange Line, is a rapid transit line in Chicago, Illinois run by the Chicago Transit Authority as part of the 'L' system. It is approximately long, and runs below grade and elevated on existing railroad embankments and new concrete and steel structures from Chicago Midway International... , and Pink Lines Pink Line (Chicago Transit Authority) The Pink Line is a rapid transit line in Chicago, run by the Chicago Transit Authority as part of the Chicago 'L' system. It began operation for a 180-day trial period on June 25, 2006, running between 54th/Cermak Station in Cicero, Illinois and the Loop in downtown Chicago... and Red Line Red Line (Chicago Transit Authority) The northern terminus of the Red Line is Howard Street in the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago , on the City Limits farthest north. The Red Line extends southeasterly on an elevated embankment structure about a half-mile west of the lakefront to Touhy Avenue then turns south along Glenwood... via Jackson/State and Blue Line Blue Line (Chicago Transit Authority) The Blue Line consists of a long trunk line in the Chicago Transit Authority's rapid transit system which extends through Chicago's Loop from O'Hare International Airport at the far northwest end of the city, through downtown via the Milwaukee-Dearborn subway, and across the West Side to its... via Jackson/Dearborn |
| State/Van Buren | 400 S. State St. | Closed September 2, 1973 |
| Adams/Wabash | 201 S. Wabash Avenue | Grant Park Grant Park (Chicago) Grant Park, with between the downtown Chicago Loop and Lake Michigan, offers many different attractions in its large open space. The park is generally flat. It is also crossed by large boulevards and even a bed of sunken railroad tracks... , Petrillo Music Shell Petrillo Music Shell James C. Petrillo Music Shell or simply Petrillo Music Shell or Petrillo Bandshell as it is more commonly known, is an outdoor amphitheater/bandstand in Grant Park in the Loop community area of Chicago in Cook County, Illinois, United States... , Buckingham Fountain Buckingham Fountain Buckingham Fountain is a Chicago landmark in the center of Grant Park. Dedicated in 1927, it is one of the largest fountains in the world. Built in a rococo wedding cake style and inspired by the Latona Fountain at the Palace of Versailles, it is meant to allegorically represent Lake Michigan... , Art Institute of Chicago Art Institute of Chicago The School of the Art Institute of Chicago is one of America's largest accredited independent schools of art and design, located in the Loop in Chicago, Illinois. It is associated with the museum of the same name, and "The Art Institute of Chicago" or "Chicago Art Institute" often refers to either... , Orchestra Hall, DePaul University DePaul University DePaul University is a private institution of higher education and research in Chicago, Illinois. Founded by the Vincentians in 1898, the university takes its name from the 17th century French priest Saint Vincent de Paul... Transfer station for Orange Orange Line (Chicago Transit Authority) The Orange Line, is a rapid transit line in Chicago, Illinois run by the Chicago Transit Authority as part of the 'L' system. It is approximately long, and runs below grade and elevated on existing railroad embankments and new concrete and steel structures from Chicago Midway International... and Green Lines Green Line (Chicago Transit Authority) The Green Line is part of the CTA rapid transit system known as the Chicago 'L'. It is the only completely elevated route in the 'L' system. It utilizes the system's oldest segments , extending with 29 stops between Forest Park and Oak Park , through Chicago's Loop, to the South Side and Englewood... |
| Madison/Wabash | 2 N. Wabash Avenue | Jewelers Row |
| Randolph/Wabash |
151 N. Wabash Avenue | Marshall Field's Marshall Field's Marshall Field & Company was a department store in Chicago, Illinois that grew to become a major chain before being acquired by Macy's Inc... , Chicago Cultural Center Chicago Cultural Center The Chicago Cultural Center, opened in 1897, is a Chicago Landmark building that houses the city's official reception venue where the Mayor of Chicago has welcomed Presidents and royalty, diplomats and community leaders. It is located in the Loop, across Michigan Avenue from Millennium Park... , Millennium Park Millennium Park Millennium Park is a public park located in the Loop community area of Chicago in Illinois, USA and originally intended to celebrate the millennium. It is a prominent civic center near the city's Lake Michigan shoreline that covers a section of northwestern Grant Park. The area was previously... Transfer station for Metra Metra Metra is the commuter rail division of the Illinois Regional Transportation Authority. The system serves Chicago and its metropolitan area through 240 stations on 11 different rail lines. Throughout the 21st century, Metra has been the second busiest commuter rail system in the United States by... trains and South Shore Line South Shore Line (NICTD) The South Shore Line is an electrically powered interurban commuter rail line operated by the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District between Millennium Station in downtown Chicago and the South Bend Regional Airport in South Bend, Indiana... |
| State/Lake | 200 N. State Street | Chicago Theatre Chicago Theatre The Chicago Theatre, originally known as the Balaban and Katz Chicago Theatre, is a landmark theater located on North State Street in the Loop area of Chicago, Illinois. Built in 1921, the Chicago Theatre was the flagship for the Balaban and Katz group of theaters run by A. J. Balaban, his brother... , Gene Siskel Film Center Gene Siskel Film Center "The Film Center" redirects here. Not to be confused with the Film Center Building in New York CityThe Gene Siskel Film Center, formerly The Film Center of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and commonly referred to as The Film Center or The Gene Siskel, is the cinematheque attached to The... Transfer station for Red Line Red Line (Chicago Transit Authority) The northern terminus of the Red Line is Howard Street in the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago , on the City Limits farthest north. The Red Line extends southeasterly on an elevated embankment structure about a half-mile west of the lakefront to Touhy Avenue then turns south along Glenwood... |
| Clark/Lake | 100 W. Lake Street, Chicago | James R. Thompson Center James R. Thompson Center The James R. Thompson Center is located at 100 W. Randolph Street in the Loop, Chicago, Illinois and houses offices of the State of Illinois. The building opened in May 1985 as the State of Illinois Center. It was renamed in 1993 to honor former Illinois Governor James R. Thompson... , Richard J. Daley Center Richard J. Daley Center The Richard J. Daley Center, also known by its courtyard Daley Plaza and named after longtime mayor Richard J. Daley, is the premier civic center of the City of Chicago in Illinois. Situated on Randolph and Washington Streets between Dearborn and Clark Streets, the Richard J. Daley Center is... Transfer station for Green Green Line (Chicago Transit Authority) The Green Line is part of the CTA rapid transit system known as the Chicago 'L'. It is the only completely elevated route in the 'L' system. It utilizes the system's oldest segments , extending with 29 stops between Forest Park and Oak Park , through Chicago's Loop, to the South Side and Englewood... , Orange Orange Line (Chicago Transit Authority) The Orange Line, is a rapid transit line in Chicago, Illinois run by the Chicago Transit Authority as part of the 'L' system. It is approximately long, and runs below grade and elevated on existing railroad embankments and new concrete and steel structures from Chicago Midway International... Pink Pink Line (Chicago Transit Authority) The Pink Line is a rapid transit line in Chicago, run by the Chicago Transit Authority as part of the Chicago 'L' system. It began operation for a 180-day trial period on June 25, 2006, running between 54th/Cermak Station in Cicero, Illinois and the Loop in downtown Chicago... , Purple Purple Line (Chicago Transit Authority) The Purple Line of the Chicago Transit Authority is a branch line on the northernmost section of the Chicago 'L' rapid transit network. Normally, it extends south from the Wilmette terminal at Linden Avenue, passing through Evanston to Howard Street, on Chicago's northern city limits... (weekday rush hours only), and Blue Lines Blue Line (Chicago Transit Authority) The Blue Line consists of a long trunk line in the Chicago Transit Authority's rapid transit system which extends through Chicago's Loop from O'Hare International Airport at the far northwest end of the city, through downtown via the Milwaukee-Dearborn subway, and across the West Side to its... |
At Clark/Lake, Brown Line trains head back to Merchandise Mart, then make all stops in reverse to Kimball.
External links
- About the Brown Line at Countdown to a New Brown - official CTA site
- Brown Line at Chicago-'L'.org
- Train schedules at CTA official site