. . . on yet another bookish adventure in my inter-library loan system, this time at the Indian Prairie Library, I noticed this poster as I started to walk out. I decided right then and there to sign up for the lecture, which was to begin in about thirty minutes. Sometimes spontaneity becomes an illustrative page in time.
The meeting room was close to being a full house as interested library patrons and others gathered for the lecture. I was actually surprised at the 1 pm turnout. It looked to be at least 60 people – a good number on snowy weekday afternoon.
Isn’t it amazing what public libraries provide? From the Lannon stone structure in Western Springs that recently gave me solace, to the day I was “mullioned” – and lived to tell the tale – libraries have also been havens for me. They not only house books; they instill knowledge and awareness through lectures and provide places to meet, to learn, to expand our knowledge. Public libraries are such treasures, but, you already know that.
The Chicago ‘L’ is an integral part of the City and suburban transport system. It grew out of the ashes of the Great Chicago Fire with its early transports taking patrons to the Columbian Exposition. The Windy City and the ‘L” grew in tandem, raising the City of Big Shoulders up from the ashes and expanding it outward to the north, the south, and the west, part and parcel to eventual urban and suburban sprawl.
I found Greg Borzo to be an interesting, entertaining and engaging speaker. A noteworthy historian with a passion for the City of Chicago, I know I would enjoy having him for a docent on a Chicago tour. He proceeded to bring the steel and beams of Chicago’s elevated trains to life as he mapped the history of early means of transportation in the late 1800’s with many vintage photos, some of which I am showing here and credit to Greg Borzo’s book, “The Chicago “L” ” .
I am most familiar with the Lake Street “L” and can vividly remember my first time on it, catching the “L” in Oak Park with my mother, heading downtown to the dentist, whose office was in the Field Annex of Marshall Fields. So clear is my memory of all the stops along the way and all the stations, up in the air, where people got off and people got on. I remember Ma saying, “Penny, we are now in the Loop” as the train circled round, making a loop, squeaking as it turned, the upper floor windows of businesses so close I could see in them. I hoped it wouldn’t fall down while in awe, catching the sun as it would play hide and seek sun, peaking around the skyscrapers.
Greg Borzo spoke of the many train lines that are all a part of the “L” system and how the subway eventually came into being, an underground system of the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA). He showed photos of workers digging out the mud, underground, to form the tunnels that would accommodate the underground trains.
I was particularly interested in the funeral train cars, recalling childhood stories of how my paternal grandfather’s coffin, family and mourners were taken from the City to Elmwood Cemetery in the suburbs. The train my Papou’s coffin was transported in would not have been on the “L”, but, the funeral car would have looked similar to the one I show here from the book. I can only imagine the long ordeal of sadness and grief, riding the rail out of the city to suburban areas during the Great Depression.
On a lighter note, we were also reminded of the many movies with scenes filmed on the Chicago “L”. Can you name any?
Do you have an elevated transport system where you live? Have you ever ridden on an elevated train?
I can’t wait to see what my next library visit brings.
Photos are from The Chicago “L” by Greg Borzo
I have ridden on the L only once. It was New Year 1985, there was lots of snow, and the wind was whipping in from the lake. An English friend was visiting me, and I had treated us both to New Year in Chicago. We had a wonderful time, but I recall the L ticket seller in her booth, being a little confused by our request to go for an interesting trip…we didn’t care where ! I cant recall where we ended up….but it was fun.
I’m glad you stumbled upon this wonderful opportunity to hear about it all….yes, libraries are a treasure.
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I was hoping you would stop by, Janice, and that you would have a remembrance – and you do! 🙂 I’m so glad.
New Year in Chicago – and riding the “L”, a real Chicago experience – and I’m chuckling at your comment that you “cant recall where we ended up….but it was fun.” Thank you, Janice. Here’s to libraries everywhere.
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Just fascinating, Penny! I never realized that there were funeral train cars as part of the L system. I must share this new insight with my husband. His relatives are all at rest in Elmwood Cemetery, as well.
I grew up in the southwest suburbs and didn’t experience my first L ride until I was a freshman in college at an urban university campus. My city friends took several of us on our very first L ride. What an educational experience!
Thank you for sharing your library adventures with all of us! Our beloved library has been a true highlight of the gift of time that retirement brings. I always meet the most delightful, interesting people at the library! This weekend, our library will celebrate it’s 100th birthday. I’m looking forward to the festivities! ♡
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I wish I had asked more questions of family Dawn. Hardly anyone had cars and so many used cemeteries outside of the city limits. It would have been the what used to be the Milwaukee Road line that went to Elmwood Cemetery. It would be interesting to learn what your husband may know.
A little side note: my Godfather owned a monument company across the street from Elmwood. He once gave me grandmother a few of the damaged stone figures. We had them in our garden in Maywood. They were marble and I remember them as magnificent. I didn’t bother me one whit as to what they were meant for. 🙂 Sure wish I had them now.
It surely must have been quite the experience. I do remember the first time my parents let me go by myself. Actually, I was with a friend and we sent downtown to see Rosemary’s Baby. Can you imagine? 🙂
I know how much you love your library. The garden club is actually making table arrangements tomorrow morning. Are you going on Sunday?
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Such great old memories, Penny! We have tickets for the early celebration at 9:00. It would be wonderful if our paths crossed at one of our favorite places! ♡
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As many times as we visited Chicago as kids, I have absolutely no recollection of ever riding the “L,” although I believe I must have, at least as a very small child. What I DO remember is the awesome, rumbling noise overhead as one of those trains swiftly zipped past. 🙂
I also remember our Mom’s tale about my cousin (from Dad’s side of the family, and 16-years-old at the time) who came to ‘the big city’ for her first visit in the early ’40s. Mom was taking her somewhere via the ‘L’ and, as I recall the story, my cousin was somehow separated from her, and, along with a crowd of others, stepped out the door at a stop. Whether she only intended to make way for the others, or thought Mom was behind her, we’ll never know. The doors closed and there was Kate on the platform as the train moved on with Mom, horrified, still aboard! Mom caught a return train at the next stop and thanked God that Kate had had presence of mind enough to simply stay put and wait to be rescued!!
She, like Mom, is gone now, and I cannot recall whether this story was ever retold and laughed about in my presence, but the retelling now reminds me that I must share it with her nieces. I know the three of them get together on occasion and spend a day or two in Chicago, so they’ll appreciate it if they’ve never heard it.
Thanks, Penny, for another great memory jog!
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That “rumbling noise” is so distinctive, Karen; right overhead. It really is amazing. I’ve always liked the rhythm of it.
Wow! What a story. I can imagine the horror both your mom and your cousin Kate must have felt. She must have been standing, as those cars can be completely filled at certain times of day, and was just pushed out by the crowd. Today, everyone has cell phones, but, back then poor Kate must have had faith that your Mom would return – and your poor Mom.
Do share it with her nieces, Karen. It is part of your collective story. Isn’t it amazing what we remember? By-the-way, that was really a fun photo of your Mom and Dad and the horse.
You are very welcome. I’m glad it gave your memory a job.
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Elevated transport system? Any transport system would be good, even a slow country bus. No, such things are unheard of in the rural UK. If you have no car you’re stuck.
What wonderful events your local library offers. We barely have libraries in this country now. Many are being closed for lack of municipal funds. Our government doesn’t reckon libraries, swimming pools, theatres, or any other cultural amenities to be worth spending money on.
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Certainly changes perspectives, especially in inclement weather.
We do take our libraries for granted, especially in such a large, urban area here. We are in a state that’s funding is being cut left and right, and I worry, though local municipalities still fund through taxes. These are exceptional events, Friko, and I try to go to as many as I can and take advantage of what is, while it is.
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What an interesting post Penny, I love to visit Chicago one of these days. I have only been at the airport on my way to Germany.
Many cities in Germany have an elevated train system.
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This is such a vibrant area, Gerlinde. I hope you are able to visit one day and will look me up. 🙂
What I do wish we had that I believe Germany as well as other European countries have is a high speed rail system.
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Great post, Penny. I used to take the train in Chicago when I was in high school.
Some friends from Switzerland came to visit a couple of years ago, because they’d heard of the L (or El as I think of it). So of course they had to ride it!
The rain used in Batman Begins is Chicago’s el train. The Blues Brothers had scenes with it.
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Thank you, L. Marie.
It’s always fun to learn what folks ask for when the visit Chicago, especially from overseas. I”l bet that was a fun ride. I always thought of it as the El as well, by, Greg Borzo said L and officially ‘L’ from the CTA. I must have been a teenager before I realized El was for elevated. Greg had a handout of all the movies and photos and both were on it. We have seen The Blues Brothers so many times. 🙂 Our Jennifer was actually an extra in Mercury Rising and the L was used in the scene she was in.
I love Chicago.
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I went most of my life never riding the L up until just a few years ago while traveling in the city with Anton and Kate a few times. Both of them relied upon it for several years for their main mode of transportation – something that I’m sure holds lots of memories but I think they’re glad it’s behind them! Especially in the winter. Great post Penny, you make me want to visit the library!
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Those L platforms can be mighty cold and windy. I was thinking about al those riding the L yesterday with that nasty wind.This was a fun chance encounter for me and this particular library. You, of course, live in town with one of the best libraries around. Did you go to any of the festivities on Sunday? They were taking our photos – then showing us how to scan them and send them to our emails or phones. 🙂
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I share your enthusiasm for what libraries have to offer, Penny. I so often wish I could manage to find a bit more time to stop and participate, and I’m so glad you didn’t miss this interesting lecture. I’m not sure how our light rail transportation measures up or is perhaps different from your above rail, and I certainly know the “L” by reputation. Our systems in Los Angeles don’t nearly have the history. In fact, it’s only now really expanding. But we are using the system more and more. Because Jay has a 43 year history with Union Pacific he often tries to educate me on the difference between Amtrak and the Light Rail system. There is so much to learn. I am quite sure I would have enjoyed the lecture very much. 🙂
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I am hoping to get around to one more, a 100th anniversary celebration, and, in particular, the teen area. 🙂 I think you will like it. Honestly, Debra, my car and undisciplined self always seems to pull into libraries and I’m lucky that I often find more than books. (I won’t mention the two overdue books I have in my possession at the moment 🙂 ) I think you would have enjoyed this one. The history behind it was so interesting, full of innovation and graft, silliness and then the more serious side of life. The ‘L’ really played a part in the growth of the city and then the suburbs.
We have elevated trains, subways, commuter, commercial rail – and no light rail and we really need an interstate speed rail, but, that’s another subject for another day. Oh, the history Jay must have to share. 🙂
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I love Libraries and when we’re in Oregon I will now be able to walk to various presentations so I’m really looking forward to doing more of that.
This was most interesting to me and all new (I sort of only know about the El Train because it is a crossword answer sometimes. Bill has ridden it though).
Didn’t know about funeral trains at all — fascinating to think about.
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You are, I am sure, going to enjoy all that the library in Oregon has to offer, Sallie. I look forward to hear about your new-found adventures there when you get back to the northwest.
I’m giggling at all all the places I’ve been, via crossword puzzles. The El does show up frequently. 🙂 Isn’t that amazing about funeral trains. Lincoln’s body was brought back to Illinois from Washington DC when he was assassinated, and I knew that, but, didn’t really think of it in terms of relatives who were buried outside of the city limits, far enough and no one had cars. I can’t say enough how much I love libraries. :}
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With such a fascinating lecture on offer, I would have done just what you did, Penny. As Friko said, many libraries in the UK are being badly damaged by cuts in funding and opening hours, but they still do their best to provide as wide a variety of services and events as they can in the circumstances. As for the L, I’ve only read about it in books such as Sara Paretsky’s V. I. Warshawski novels. Major cities in the UK have a variety of urban transport systems, from underground to light rail, but out in the country a car is essential for most people.
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It is amazing how much libraries and librarians do, large or small – and often, especially these days, in spite of funding cuts. There is a part of me that sometimes laments that I did not go into library sciences. 🙂 I think you would have enjoyed this lecture, Perpetua. I am glad I stayed for it. Ah, yes. V. I. Warshawski has been on the El!
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