Architecture of Chicago Train Stations: Uptown Station History

I recently looked into the history and architecture of Chicago train stations and how they effect their communities. I dug into a few stations I’ve frequented and as I looked into the Wilson Red Line stop, I realized that the story of the Uptown station history deserved its own post. Don’t forget that we always love bringing tour guests to Uptown’s historic entertainment district on the Jazz, Blues, and Beyond tour.

I lived in Uptown when I first moved to Chicago, so this station holds a special significance. I was always intrigued by the classical revival station on the northwest corner of Wilson Ave. and N. Broadway and, unlike many Chicagoans, never thought the neighborhood all that bad. So when I saw that the platform was slated for a $203 million renovation in an act of neighborhood revitalization, I was curious about its effect on the community and the fate of the station.

We research stories from Chicago history, architecture and culture like this while developing our live virtual tours, in-person private tours, and custom content for corporate events. You can join us to experience Chicago’s stories in-person or online. We can also create custom tours and original content about this Chicago topic and countless others.

History of the Uptown Station

uptown station chicago wilson cta red line
Photo Credit: Jenn Harrman

First, I was surprised to find that Uptown Station, although historic, is not anywhere near the original station. In fact, a Frank Lloyd Wright building, circa 1909, had once occupied the land. The rare example of a Frank Lloyd Wright commercial building lasted for only 13 years before it was torn down for the construction of the current classical revival transportation hub.

It was William Gibb, mentioned in part 1, who designed the original station house at Wilson in 1900. Wilson originally served as the terminal for the Northwestern Elevated Railroad. The station included a repair shop, a street-level rail yard, and the Wilson Shops, (all seen in this photo here). The quickly expanding needs of the station led to architect Arthur U. Gerber’s Lower Wilson built in 1907, a modest craftsman style station at street-level which handled express lines from Wilson. Lower Wilson was then redesigned in 1917 to facilitate the needs of the stop. By then it was a through station towards Evanston, and later demolished when Uptown Station was built in 1922.

A New Station for the Roaring ’20s

By then, Uptown had become the hottest commercial and entertainment district on the city’s North Side. That boom was driven in large part to increased ‘L’ ridership via the station. We can further explore the history of the neighborhood’s heyday on a custom private tour. That heyday passed, though. The once grand and ornate station that offered men’s and women’s restrooms, a barber shop and a smoking lounge became derelict. It was chopped up and became home to A&B Food Mart, later Popeye’s Chicken, and is now mostly vacant.

wilson red line chicago cta
Photo Credit: Jenn Harrman

Wilson has been considered “the crustiest station in the city,” according to an article in DNAinfo. It was often feared by Chicagoans who aren’t as familiar with the neighborhood. I compared the Tribune crime report for Uptown to that of Lakeview, considered to be safer than Uptown. Across the board, Lakeview has more occurrences of crime in almost all categories save for narcotics. In property crimes alone, Lakeview has over twice the number of crime over the past year.

chicago cta train station wilson uptown
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Transit Chicago Website (waiting on permission)

A Contemporary Update

So how does this new development of the Wilson red line really fit in? Its part of a development scheme for the entire neighborhood based on ideas of increased safety. According to the alderman James Cappleman, “an environment that embraces everyone.” Although I’m curious how proposed luxury housing embraces the current neighborhood community. I also can’t help but wonder if Uptown is really that dangerous. I hope to see local businesses, like the Ace Hardware that has been there for decades, thrive with the new redesign. 

Overall, though, I am delighted to see that the historic Uptown Station will be restored. The $203 million renovation is a much better outcome than the sad fate of its predecessors.

–Jenn Harrman, Tour Guide 

ABOUT CHICAGO DETOURS

Chicago Detours is a boutique tour company passionate about connecting people to places and each other through the power of storytelling. We bring curious people to explore, learn and interact with Chicago’s history, architecture and culture through in-person private group tourscontent production, and virtual tours.

Share:

Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on pinterest
Pinterest
Share on linkedin
LinkedIn

Related Posts

be a
curious
person!

SIGN UP FOR OCCASIONAL UPDATES FROM CHICAGO DETOURS.

Ellen

Private Tour Coordinator and Tour Guide

There is no shortage of things to discover in Chicago—I love being an urban explorer and uncovering its hidden places. I have an MA in Public History from Loyola University Chicago, and I have worked as a museum educator and kindergarten teacher. My desire to learn new things fuels my passion for educating others, which I get to experience every day as a Chicago tour guide. I live in the northern neighborhood of Rogers Park.

“Our guide Ellen was exceptional and gifted with a great personal touch.”
Robert
GetYourGuide

Jen

Tour Guide

Whether you are a first-time visitor or a lifelong resident, the vibrant history and modern majesty of Chicago never ceases to amaze. I’m a graduate of Columbia College with an M.A. in Interdisciplinary Art. I’ve worked for many years as an educator at City Colleges of Chicago. As tour guide at Chicago Detours, I integrate my enthusiasm for culture and architecture with my passion as an educator. West Town/Noble Square area is home for me.

“Jen was a perfect storyteller and kept us spellbound for hours.”
Heather
TripAdvisor

Elyse

Tour Guide

With our Chicago neighborhoods, vibrant cultural institutions and nearly two centuries of larger-than-life stories, there’s never a dull moment here! I’m a fifth generation Chicagoan and a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis. In addition to guiding tours, I’m a creative writer and amateur genealogist. I also enjoy the city’s dynamic theater scene. You can also read overlooked stories from 19th-century newspapers on my “Second Glance History” blog. I live in River North.

Anthony

Tour Guide

Chicago is unique as it always evolves into the future while holding on to the past. I’m fascinated by how people latch on to old architecture but happily pave over others. My background is in theater and performance and I’ve been a tour guide here for more than 10 years. Currently I’m finishing my Master’s in Public History at Loyola University because I love to teach the history of this scrappy city. I’m in the Edgewater neighborhood.

Marie

Operations Coordinator and Tour Guide

Chicago’s history is so fascinating, you could spend a lifetime uncovering its secrets…I’m willing to give it a try! I have an M.A. in US History from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and then pursued doctoral studies in Urban History at the University of Illinois at Chicago. I love to learn new aspects of Chicago’s rich history and then share my knowledge as a tour guide with Chicago Detours. I live in Ravenswood.

“Marie was a bubbling fountain of information and contagious enthusiasm.”
Lorit
TripAdvisor

Sonny

Operations Coordinator and Tour Guide

As a fourth generation Chicagoan, I have been living and loving Chicago by bike, on foot, public transit or automobile. I am a graduate of UIC where through the College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs, began my eagerness to understand the nature, history and impacts of urban planning and development. It is incredibly rewarding to give back to this wonderful city by helping out in the office of Chicago Detours. I live in the incredibly diverse neighborhood of Albany Park.
“Sonny was extremely knowledgeable about all things Chi-town.”
Wade K
TripAdvisor

Alex

Content Manager and Tour Guide

Chicago has so many neighborhoods, buildings, and by-ways that it’s hard to go long without seeing something new, or something familiar from a new angle. I studied Cinema History for my M.A. from the University of Chicago. I’ve worked as a culture writer for various publications and as an educator of the humanities at the City Colleges of Chicago. I’m thrilled to share my love of this city’s busy past and unique architectural spaces with Chicago Detours. I live in the Chicago neighborhood of Lincoln Park.

“Alex was fascinating to listen to. He clearly knows his history and it shows.”
Katie K
Yelp

Amanda Scotese

Executive Director and Tour Guide

I’m an interpreter of personal stories from the past and the city’s landscape. I love to imagine what originally happened inside old unmarked buildings, and what forces have shaped their design. I studied Chicago history, architectural history, and anything Chicago-related through my M.A. in the Humanities at the University of Chicago. My love for stories was enriched by my B.A. in Literature from the University of Michigan. I’ve written travel articles for publications like Rick Steves’ Italy best-selling travel guides, the San Francisco Bay Guardian, and The Chicago Food Encyclopedia. I live in the Chicago neighborhood of West Avondale.
“You can TELL Amanda is hyper-passionate about doing the research and getting the story that nobody’s heard before.”
Shelby F
Yelp

Book a chicago event

Let’s Connect!