LaSalle Street Station
Encyclopedia
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 present structure is the third station on the site. The previous structure was demolished in 1981 and was replaced by the current station and a new office high-rise for the Chicago Stock Exchange
. The Chicago Board of Trade Building
, Willis Tower and Harold Washington Library
are close by.
(New York Central Railroad
) and Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad
. North of a junction at Englewood Station
, both companies' lines ran parallel to the terminal.
In December 1866 a new station opened. The Great Chicago Fire
of October 1871 destroyed the station, which was rebuilt. The rebuilt station opened July 1, 1903 and stood until 1981. This station was a set for Alfred Hitchcock's 1959 North by Northwest
, starring Cary Grant
and Eva Marie Saint
, and in the 1973 movie The Sting
starring Paul Newman
and Robert Redford
.
From its completion in 1882, the New York, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad
(Nickel Plate Road) ran over the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway
from a junction at Grand Crossing neighborhood north to downtown Chicago, where it had its own terminal
south of LaSalle. The LS&MS quickly gained control of the Nickel Plate, and later allowed it into its LaSalle Street Station as a tenant. In July 1916 the LS&MS sold the Nickel Plate to the Van Sweringens, but it continued to operate into LaSalle until the end of Nickel Plate passenger service.
From July 31, 1904 to August 1, 1913, LaSalle Street Station was also used by trains of the Chicago and Eastern Illinois Railroad
, which reached it via trackage rights on the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific from Ashburn.
On January 18, 1957 trains of the Michigan Central Railroad
started to use LaSalle, running over the New York Central Railroad
's Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway
from their former crossing at Porter, Indiana
to Chicago. LS&MS and Michigan Central trains (both part of the New York Central system) last used LaSalle on October 26, 1968 (soon after the merge into Penn Central); the next day they began running into Union Station
via a connection in Whiting, Indiana
and the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne and Chicago Railway
.
Most intercity rail service at La Salle ended on May 1, 1971 when Amtrak consolidated long-distance services at Union Station. Rock Island opted out of Amtrak and continued to operate intercity service from LaSalle until 1978.
A connection at Englewood Station
was completed October 15, 1971 to allow the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad
to also operate over the PFW&C to Union Station, but the failing Rock Island decided to continue using LaSalle. Now only commuter trains on Metra
's Rock Island District
serve the station.
Among the most famous name trains that terminated at LaSalle were the New York Central's 20th Century Limited
from 1902 until 1967 and the Rock Island-Southern Pacific Golden State Limited from 1902 until 1968.
Although only Metra Rock Island District trains currently serve LaSalle the future of the station is not in question. Metra's planned SouthEast Service
would terminate at LaSalle, and Chicago's massive CREATE
infrastructure improvement program would allow trains from other lines to access the terminal.
In June 2011, The Chicago Department of Transportation opened the LaSalle/Congress Intermodal Transfer Center alongside the station as a bus terminal to serve people transferring to CTA buses as well as Blue Line trains at LaSalle
for the following lines and intercity trains:
LaSalle still serves commuter trains on Metra
's Rock Island District
. Approximately 17,000 people board Metra trains at LaSalle each day.
ChicaGo Dash
Terminal Station
Terminal Station is a 1953 film by Italian director Vittorio De Sica. It tells the story of the love affair between an Italian man and an American woman. The film was entered into the 1953 Cannes Film Festival.-Production:...
at 414 S. LaSalle Street
LaSalle Street
LaSalle Street is a major north-south street in Chicago named for Sieur de La Salle, an early explorer of Illinois. The portion that runs through the Loop is considered to be Chicago's financial district...
in downtown Chicago, Illinois, serving 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 Rock Island District
Rock Island District
The Rock Island District is a commuter rail line operated by Metra from Chicago, Illinois, United States, southwest to Joliet. While Metra does not specifically refer to any of its lines by a particular color, the timetable accents for the Rock Island District line are printed in "Rocket Red"...
. It was a major intercity rail terminal for the New York Central Railroad
New York Central Railroad
The New York Central Railroad , known simply as the New York Central in its publicity, was a railroad operating in the Northeastern United States...
until 1968 and the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad
Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad
The Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad was a Class I railroad in the United States. It was also known as the Rock Island Line, or, in its final years, The Rock.-Incorporation:...
until 1978. The present structure is the third station on the site. The previous structure was demolished in 1981 and was replaced by the current station and a new office high-rise for the Chicago Stock Exchange
Chicago Stock Exchange
The Chicago Stock Exchange is a stock exchange in Chicago, Illinois, USA. The exchange is a national securities exchange and self-regulated organization, which operates under the oversight of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission . The Chicago Stock Exchange is the third most active stock...
. The Chicago Board of Trade Building
Chicago Board of Trade Building
The Chicago Board of Trade Building is a skyscraper located in :Chicago, Illinois, United States. It stands at 141 W. Jackson Boulevard at the foot of the LaSalle Street canyon, in the Loop community area in Cook County. Built in 1930 and first designated a Chicago Landmark on May 4, 1977, the...
, Willis Tower and Harold Washington Library
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...
are close by.
History
The first station on the site opened on May 22, 1852 with the completion of the Northern Indiana and Chicago Railroad. On October 1, 1852, the Chicago and Rock Island Railroad began using the station. The two railroads later became the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern RailwayLake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway
The Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway, sometimes referred to as the Lake Shore, was a major part of the New York Central Railroad's Water Level Route from Buffalo, NY to Chicago, primarily along the south shore of Lake Erie and across northern Indiana...
(New York Central Railroad
New York Central Railroad
The New York Central Railroad , known simply as the New York Central in its publicity, was a railroad operating in the Northeastern United States...
) and Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad
Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad
The Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad was a Class I railroad in the United States. It was also known as the Rock Island Line, or, in its final years, The Rock.-Incorporation:...
. North of a junction at Englewood Station
Englewood Station (Chicago)
Englewood Station or Englewood Union Station in Chicago, Illinois' south side Englewood neighborhood was a crucial junction and passenger depot for three railroads - the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad, the New York Central Railroad, and the Pennsylvania Railroad - although it was for the...
, both companies' lines ran parallel to the terminal.
In December 1866 a new station opened. The Great Chicago Fire
Great Chicago Fire
The Great Chicago Fire was a conflagration that burned from Sunday, October 8, to early Tuesday, October 10, 1871, killing hundreds and destroying about in Chicago, Illinois. Though the fire was one of the largest U.S...
of October 1871 destroyed the station, which was rebuilt. The rebuilt station opened July 1, 1903 and stood until 1981. This station was a set for Alfred Hitchcock's 1959 North by Northwest
North by Northwest
North by Northwest is a 1959 American thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, starring Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint and James Mason, and featuring Leo G. Carroll and Martin Landau...
, starring Cary Grant
Cary Grant
Archibald Alexander Leach , better known by his stage name Cary Grant, was an English actor who later took U.S. citizenship...
and Eva Marie Saint
Eva Marie Saint
Eva Marie Saint is an American actress who has starred in films, on Broadway, and on television in a career spanning seven decades. She won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the drama film On the Waterfront , and later starred in the thriller film North by...
, and in the 1973 movie The Sting
The Sting
The Sting is a 1973 American caper film set in September 1936 that involves a complicated plot by two professional grifters to con a mob boss . The film was directed by George Roy Hill, who previously directed Newman and Redford in the western Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.Created by...
starring Paul Newman
Paul Newman
Paul Leonard Newman was an American actor, film director, entrepreneur, humanitarian, professional racing driver and auto racing enthusiast...
and Robert Redford
Robert Redford
Charles Robert Redford, Jr. , better known as Robert Redford, is an American actor, film director, producer, businessman, environmentalist, philanthropist, and founder of the Sundance Film Festival. He has received two Oscars: one in 1981 for directing Ordinary People, and one for Lifetime...
.
From its completion in 1882, the New York, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad
New York, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad
The New York, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad , abbreviated NYC&St.L, was a railroad that operated in the mid-central United States. Commonly referred to as the Nickel Plate Road, the railroad served a large area, including trackage in the states of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois...
(Nickel Plate Road) ran over the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway
Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway
The Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway, sometimes referred to as the Lake Shore, was a major part of the New York Central Railroad's Water Level Route from Buffalo, NY to Chicago, primarily along the south shore of Lake Erie and across northern Indiana...
from a junction at Grand Crossing neighborhood north to downtown Chicago, where it had its own terminal
Nickel Plate Depot (Chicago)
The passenger depot of the New York, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad in Chicago, Illinois was located at the northwest corner of Roosevelt Road and Clark Street, just east of the main line of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway to its LaSalle Street Station...
south of LaSalle. The LS&MS quickly gained control of the Nickel Plate, and later allowed it into its LaSalle Street Station as a tenant. In July 1916 the LS&MS sold the Nickel Plate to the Van Sweringens, but it continued to operate into LaSalle until the end of Nickel Plate passenger service.
From July 31, 1904 to August 1, 1913, LaSalle Street Station was also used by trains of the Chicago and Eastern Illinois Railroad
Chicago and Eastern Illinois Railroad
The Chicago and Eastern Illinois Railroad was a Class I railroad that linked Chicago to southern Illinois, St. Louis, and Evansville. Founded in 1877, it grew aggressively and stayed relatively strong throughout the Great Depression and two World Wars before being purchased by the Missouri Pacific...
, which reached it via trackage rights on the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific from Ashburn.
On January 18, 1957 trains of the Michigan Central Railroad
Michigan Central Railroad
The Michigan Central Railroad was originally incorporated in 1846 to establish rail service between Detroit, Michigan and St. Joseph, Michigan. The railroad later operated in the states of Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois in the United States, and the province of Ontario in Canada...
started to use LaSalle, running over the New York Central Railroad
New York Central Railroad
The New York Central Railroad , known simply as the New York Central in its publicity, was a railroad operating in the Northeastern United States...
's Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway
Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway
The Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway, sometimes referred to as the Lake Shore, was a major part of the New York Central Railroad's Water Level Route from Buffalo, NY to Chicago, primarily along the south shore of Lake Erie and across northern Indiana...
from their former crossing at Porter, Indiana
Porter, Indiana
Porter is a town in Westchester Township, Porter County, Indiana, United States. The population was 4,972 at the 2000 census.Porter is noted for its proximity to the Indiana Dunes State Park and for its railroad heritage...
to Chicago. LS&MS and Michigan Central trains (both part of the New York Central system) last used LaSalle on October 26, 1968 (soon after the merge into Penn Central); the next day they began running into 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...
via a connection in Whiting, Indiana
Whiting, Indiana
Whiting is a city located in the Chicago Metropolitan Area in Lake County, Indiana, which was founded in 1889. The city is located on the southern shore of Lake Michigan. It is roughly 16 miles from the Chicago Loop and just short of two miles from Chicago's South Side. Whiting is home to Whiting...
and the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne and Chicago Railway
Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne and Chicago Railway
The Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne and Chicago Railway was a major part of the Pennsylvania Railroad system, extending the PRR west from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania via Fort Wayne, Indiana to Chicago, Illinois...
.
Most intercity rail service at La Salle ended on May 1, 1971 when Amtrak consolidated long-distance services at Union Station. Rock Island opted out of Amtrak and continued to operate intercity service from LaSalle until 1978.
A connection at Englewood Station
Englewood Station (Chicago)
Englewood Station or Englewood Union Station in Chicago, Illinois' south side Englewood neighborhood was a crucial junction and passenger depot for three railroads - the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad, the New York Central Railroad, and the Pennsylvania Railroad - although it was for the...
was completed October 15, 1971 to allow the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad
Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad
The Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad was a Class I railroad in the United States. It was also known as the Rock Island Line, or, in its final years, The Rock.-Incorporation:...
to also operate over the PFW&C to Union Station, but the failing Rock Island decided to continue using LaSalle. Now only commuter trains on 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 Rock Island District
Rock Island District
The Rock Island District is a commuter rail line operated by Metra from Chicago, Illinois, United States, southwest to Joliet. While Metra does not specifically refer to any of its lines by a particular color, the timetable accents for the Rock Island District line are printed in "Rocket Red"...
serve the station.
Among the most famous name trains that terminated at LaSalle were the New York Central's 20th Century Limited
20th Century Limited
The 20th Century Limited was an express passenger train operated by the New York Central Railroad from 1902 to 1967, during which time it would become known as a "National Institution" and the "Most Famous Train in the World". In the year of its last run, The New York Times said that it "...was...
from 1902 until 1967 and the Rock Island-Southern Pacific Golden State Limited from 1902 until 1968.
Although only Metra Rock Island District trains currently serve LaSalle the future of the station is not in question. Metra's planned SouthEast Service
SouthEast Service (Metra)
The SouthEast Service is a proposed commuter rail line which would be provided and operated by Metra in Chicago, Illinois, and its surrounding suburbs. The route of the proposed line would use tracks owned by CSX Transportation and the Union Pacific Railroad, but the service would not be operated...
would terminate at LaSalle, and Chicago's massive CREATE
Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency Program
The Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency Program is a project to improve the efficiency of the rail network in the Chicago area by building, amongst other things, flyovers to separate rail traffic on conflicting lines...
infrastructure improvement program would allow trains from other lines to access the terminal.
In June 2011, The Chicago Department of Transportation opened the LaSalle/Congress Intermodal Transfer Center alongside the station as a bus terminal to serve people transferring to CTA buses as well as Blue Line trains at LaSalle
LaSalle (CTA Blue Line)
LaSalle is an 'L' station on the Chicago Transit Authority's Blue Line. It is a subway station with a single island platform located at 150 West Congress Parkway in the Loop district of Chicago, Illinois...
Services
LaSalle was a terminalTerminal Station
Terminal Station is a 1953 film by Italian director Vittorio De Sica. It tells the story of the love affair between an Italian man and an American woman. The film was entered into the 1953 Cannes Film Festival.-Production:...
for the following lines and intercity trains:
- Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific RailroadChicago, Rock Island and Pacific RailroadThe Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad was a Class I railroad in the United States. It was also known as the Rock Island Line, or, in its final years, The Rock.-Incorporation:...
(until 1978) - New York Central RailroadNew York Central RailroadThe New York Central Railroad , known simply as the New York Central in its publicity, was a railroad operating in the Northeastern United States...
(up to October 26, 1968) - New York, Chicago and St. Louis RailroadNew York, Chicago and St. Louis RailroadThe New York, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad , abbreviated NYC&St.L, was a railroad that operated in the mid-central United States. Commonly referred to as the Nickel Plate Road, the railroad served a large area, including trackage in the states of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois...
(Nickel Plate) - Chicago and Eastern Illinois RailroadChicago and Eastern Illinois RailroadThe Chicago and Eastern Illinois Railroad was a Class I railroad that linked Chicago to southern Illinois, St. Louis, and Evansville. Founded in 1877, it grew aggressively and stayed relatively strong throughout the Great Depression and two World Wars before being purchased by the Missouri Pacific...
(July 31, 1904 to August 1, 1913) - Michigan Central RailroadMichigan Central RailroadThe Michigan Central Railroad was originally incorporated in 1846 to establish rail service between Detroit, Michigan and St. Joseph, Michigan. The railroad later operated in the states of Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois in the United States, and the province of Ontario in Canada...
(part of the New York Central) (January 18, 1957 to October 26, 1968)
LaSalle still serves commuter trains on 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 Rock Island District
Rock Island District
The Rock Island District is a commuter rail line operated by Metra from Chicago, Illinois, United States, southwest to Joliet. While Metra does not specifically refer to any of its lines by a particular color, the timetable accents for the Rock Island District line are printed in "Rocket Red"...
. Approximately 17,000 people board Metra trains at LaSalle each day.
Bus connections
CTA-
#1 Indiana/Hyde Park -
#7 Harrison -
#22 Clark (Owl Service) -
#24 Wentworth -
#36 Broadway -
#126 Jackson -
#129 West Loop/South Loop -
#130 Museum Campus (Summer Service Only) -
#132 Goose Island Express -
#145 Wilson/Michigan Express -
#151 Sheridan (Owl Service) -
#156 LaSalle
ChicaGo Dash
ChicaGo Dash
ChicaGo Dash is an express bus service between Chicago and Valparaiso. It is jointly run by the city of Valparaiso and the Valparaiso Redevelopment Commission, with substantial financial support from the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority...
- Shuttle service between Downtown Chicago and ValparaisoValparaiso, IndianaValparaiso is a city in and the county seat of Porter County, Indiana, United States. The population was 31,730 at the 2010 census, making it the 2nd largest city in Porter County.-History:...
(Rush Hour Only)