Thomas Dyreck 128 pages softcover
From the busy passenger terminals and commuter stations of Chicago to small town depots like Esmond, Tampico, and Lanark, Northern Illinois Train Depots provides a glimpse back in time to when these important structures were the centerpiece of every trackside community.
Northern Illinois is widely considered the rail capital of America.
Dozens of lines radiating out of Chicago and other points have
crisscrossed the region since the late 1840s. Along each line, train
depots stood to dutifully connect the railroad to communities along the
way. These iconic facilities were abundant throughout the 19th and 20th
centuries, but as automobiles and air travel gained popularity,
railroads were forced to streamline their operations to compete.
Subsequently, many depots faced closure and eventual destruction. While
most were lost to history, some were repurposed and still exist today as
museums, municipal buildings, and even houses. The select few that
remain along current passenger train routes are still active as
stations.
