Tearing Down the 63rd Street "L"

[@jbobbster]

What really stinks about this happening was that the CTA had planned on extending this branch East, back to Dorcester. They had already laid down new track, and had started construction of the Dorcester platform. And then they caved because Reverend Arthur Blazier and other Woodlawn residents said that the El would prevent redevelopment. So not only did the CTA dismantle the line, east of Cottage Grove, all that money that they had spent was wasted. Shame.

[@curtiscarson8229]

Yes i remember that i was in highschool back in the very early 90's. What a waist of money.they had to spend at lease a couple million dollars to build that new part on Dorchester and tear it back down.

[@robertminer578]

@@curtiscarson8229 The Girders Are Still At Where The Line Makes The Turn To Go Northbound. They Are Laying On The Ground On CTA Property.

[@sw1zzie]

Destroying this historic section of the East 63rd L train was.... And I want to be blunt when I say this.... THE WORST MISTAKE EVER P E R I O D Like if you Totally Agree!!!!!!!

[@pomerlain8924]

And by destroying it, it's hard to imagine the CTA will ever consider investing millions into rebuilding from scratch a 1.5 mile elevated structure and 2 new stations. I wish they had told Brazier to go take a hike. The community needed the 63rd line, and the CTA was planning to re-extend to Dorchester, and they already had new track put in.

[@jetstream5762]

And Stony Island was the then-current end-of-the-line. I remember it like yesterday. It made no sense to not have the el hook up with the Stony Island bus like it had been for years. None whatsoever. Except for the demands of a well connected preacher.

[@tominnis8353]

Crazy act of 'legal' vandalism!

[@jcw-ze1qj]

It's just depressing and kind of haunting for me to see the remains of those structure columns. It was completely useless for Braizer and the city to tear that section down. They said development would spur around 63rd, but as of 2017, all we have New east of Cottage Grove/63rd is Braizer's suburban houses, and some new building coming up on university ave, and it seems all the businesses on 63rd street in Woodlawn are around the "L" stations, it was also sad they had to demolish the last original Jackson Park Branch Station (University), and it's station house, it's because of our corrupt officials that we have these neighborhoods stripped of public transit and services

[@artistmac]

If this city is serious about public transportation, they should rebuild this line from Cottage Grove to Jackson Park exactly as it was, and if it had been on the north side, that's exactly what would have happened, no matter what some church (!?) wanted or didn't want.

[@davidblackwell6914]

Would have never been taken down on Northside

[@Tone034]

I was in grade school when they tore this down. So sad for the black communities of the East 63rd. street because people actually depended on that train for work school etc and they tore it down anyway

[@brianreed31]

probably cause the local pastor bribed the cta

[@SorryWereOpen247]

Brian R ... And got away with it !!!! What happened to the "Grandfather Clause" as it pertains to this case ? ... This structure was built and in service LONG before any preacher or his parents was even born !!!

[@MetxsightseerRailfan]

@@brianreed31 when rebuilt they forgot to add the last four stations after cottage grove

[@mannyfrencha5102]

Bishop Arthur Brazier wanted them torn down. He stated that "the tracks were and eye soar." The same Brazier that threw Jeff Fort regarding money for job training. The monies came from the govt to Brazier and Rev. Leon Finney. Anyways, my mom fought with a group to keep the last vestige of the tracks up. This was when the tracks stopped at University. The University stop was steps from Brazier's church. I'm quite sure some members probably used that stop as a mode of their transportation

[@TheChicagoL]

+Manny Frencha "The University stop was steps from Brazier's church. I'm quite sure some members probably used that stop as a mode of their transportation". You know they did! That was the only transportation they could afford by the time they emptied their pockets of the little money they did have when the "plates" were passed.....I'm sure you know what I'm talkin' about. Betcha cash-money these two so-and-sos where riding around in luxury (new "top-of-the-line Cadillac or Mercedes) at the expense of the community they fleeced.

[@davidblackwell6914]

University was stood up above the old TWO office, the old Dorchester stop was right in front of where his church sits today.

[@blakemcnamara9105]

Seems somewhat of an un-Christian act.

[@FormerlyNYVulgarian]

Judgement Night (1993) has a lot of scenes with this neighborhood ‘s El in the background

[@BVictor21]

The demolition of the green line from Cottage Grove east to Dorchester was one of the dumbest things to happen in the area. Arthur Brasier, Alderman Troutman and TWO are the reasons for the El's destruction. They felt the lack of development was because of the El. Well if you think the construction of 20 tacky suburban like houses that look alike is an improvement. The majority of the land is still undeveloped. And we had the federal funding to rehab that eastern section.

[@italobambino43]

One thing I wanted to mention, the restoration on this section of Elevated was thoughtfully done, they retained all the original main supports, this elevated was built between 1916 and 1921, construction haulted due to WW1. It was considered by some to be more of an elevated railroad, because of it's concrete track bed above. This design proved more effective, it was strong, steel reinforced concrete, and it made life underneath much quieter, no sparks flying down from the third rail either.

[@msibnsf]

Good time for me as videographer to chime in...there have been many viewpoints as comments and they are all appreciated. Even if I disagree, I try not to delete comments because the person making them was usually sincere. There are no easy answers to the modern-day conditions in Black communities. One thing for sure, they mostly remain owned and controlled from the outside...what else hasn't changed historically since slavery. Keep your comments coming. DH msibnsf

[@moonoink]

I found out Brazier and Finney were the fall guys, it was the University of Chicago that wanted the teardown to happen.

[@msibnsf]

Rebuilt as far as Cottage Grove (800 E.) The rest of the line was torn down. Two decades later, transit corridors have changed and 63rd is no longer viable.

[@pilsudski36]

+msibnsf Maybe 63rd was not viable as a commercial street, but many, many people transferred to the Jackson Park El from the Stony Island, Jeffrey, and Yates buses, so they could go to the Loop. Now they have lost a convenient transfer option to the El, so they have to take the METRA, which costs more, if they are even near the METRA at all.

[@williamdlatorres4790]

Thanks for the video. Been doing my own research on the 63rd and Stoney Island stop from the 50s to the eventual demolition.

[@Xone7]

How can decreasing public mass transit increase development?

[@NosebergEatzbugsVonShekelstein]

Black logic.

[@pamparker4047]

A terrible loss

[@kadijahthomas6450]

I started going to school in the area in 2010, and been around ever since but I was today years old when I discovered the green line used to go all the way to stony island 😳😱 wooow so much history I never knew about! Interesting

[@ronjones3733]

The city officials should just rebuild the tracks and make the train tracks more smooth sailing going east bound...The stony island L stop was beneficial to cta riders

[@matatu459]

The demolition of the El was a result of the thoughtless, unimaginative approach to "urban renewal" that in the minds of many Woodlawn residents, who are still around and "know," will always be associated with the individuals who co-opted the pre-TWO grass roots movement clamored for urban renewal. What they wound up getting was the scorched Earth approach to Urban Renewal where you tear everything the hell down and build anew. The problem with that approach was that the gangs and their facilitators destroyed the economy of Woodlawn, along with the character, and at least 60% of the population. In the more than two generations since TWO got involved with their part of the warfare that took place in that community all that has arisen from the ashes and wanton demolition is a church that is perceived as the shiny castle on the hill, a State building, a handicapped school, and a few over-priced housing units. (Keep in mind that churches and non-profit entities do not bring revenue into a community. At least not of late). In two generations both Germany and Japan were rebuilt from the ashes of WW II. In two generations of "urban renewal" there is no master plan (that is transparent) for rebuilding from the Lake to Ashland, which still looks like Sherman's army passed through. In Woodlawn where there were at least a half dozen hotels there are none. The Strand is being rehabbed as an apartment building. Thoughful urban planning would have saved the Pershing, Southmore, Hayes, Mansfield, and Wedgewood hotels which had some architectural significance. Where there were plenty of restaurants there is only one. The El system in Chicago travels along miles and miles of tracks that pass countless expensive residences and religious institutions. The 63rd segment, where hundreds of people used to stream in and out of the turnstiles, was the only one that was a problem.

[@phillipgrey]

Estuary Flowing Reading and knowing some of the history of that area, the black p stone gangs ruined it; then blight and economic hardship took over. Now your whole south side is plagued with violence , economic depression and no real urban planning. It happens here in some places in Canada. Some of native Indians groups are involved in gang related issues in Winnipeg (the Chicago of the North as it's called) the history of racism against them is not the same as for blacks in the US but effect is similar. I use to attend the University of Chicago so I've seen that area. Wow~ has it ever changed; for me that was 30 years ago.

[@BVictor21]

@pawpawnorth Tracks over the streets maybe an eyesore to you, but it's the way thousands upon thousands of people travel daily, and that's the greater good. It's also a part of our history. Subways are much more costly to build as you have to worry about relocating utilities and such. There's no real reason to demolish what's perfectly viable for the alternative you mentioned. Now for any new lines or extensions, that should be considered.

[@charger959]

if i remember right, at the time scrap metal was going for about 300 bucks per ton. makes me wonder who was involved with the contractor and who ended up with the money from all that scrap steel...i hope it went to the city at least.

[@italobambino43]

In the early 90's, the city of Philadelphia and Septa embarked on a bold venture, to completely restored the entire stretch of elevated from Girard avenue all the way up to Bridge and Pratt streets in the city's Frankford section, the final leg of this construction ended in early 2003. the newly renovated Margaret-Ortohdox station and the tracks in between the brand new Frankford terminal were finally connected. This last leg took longer than expected, I am still not sure as to why.

[@BrickyardE170]

They tore down the part after Cottage Grove to the Illinois Central tracks. They only renovated up to Cottage Grove going east.

[@Trainbrain1949]

You have to remember politicians are not the brightest of people, otherwise they would have honest jobs. Someone says something and they all jump on the bandwagon. That is what happened here.

[@packr72]

that's odd because the el has helped several communties in the city including ravenswood and around where the lake st el leaves the loop past the united center. I think the city would rebuild it if the area became yupified. They hate cars and love public transit.

[@lcar4000]

Not having lived in Chicago for 30 years, I was not aware of this. Was this the Englewood or Jackson Park line? Was it totally eliminated or just cut back? And if cut back, where does the line now end?

[@brianreed31]

this is the jackson park line ends at cottage grove anything east of there is torn down

[@mrAhollandjr]

This was among the oldest sections of L structure in existence. It opened as a result of the World's Fair. The lune ended at 63rd and Stony Island right at Jackson Park, This line stayed intact until around 1981 when a worker for the Illinois Central noticed a crack in the structure at a bridge that crossed over the IC (now Metra) tracks. There were only two diamond crossovers on the Jackson Park branch. One was south of the 61st Street station where there was also a rail yard and shop. The other crossover was just west of the Stony Island Station but east of the cracked Bridge. As a result, CTA had to curtail service on that branch to 61st until they were able to build a new crossover just east of the 63rd and University Station. CTA decided it would be too expensive to repair the bridge and decided to tear down the structure between Stony Island and Kimark and build a new structure back to Dorchester, which is just west of ghetto Metra tracks and station. Then in 1994, the line was completely shut down for two years to "rebuild the Green Line. " When the line reopened in 1996. It was only opened to Cottage Grove as the Apostolic Chuch of God, which is also located at 63rd and Dorchester, fought to have the structure torn down, which CTA finally did as seen in this video. Now that there's a plan to build the Barack Obama Presidential Library in Jackson Park, there's talk about restoring the line back to at least Dorchester. However any such plan would be met with fierce opposition from the Apostolic Church of God which has passed to build apartments nearby. They cite Metera's plan to rebuild their 59th St University of Chicago station as a better alternative for visitors to the Library since it's actually closer to the site where the Library is to be built. Personally I think the line should be restored to Dorchester. Those residents in those new apartments will have the option to take the Green Line. Even though there's a Metra station there, it is old and has infrequent service.

[@Tone034]

That's because the 63rd str stp for metra is a flag stop for the main line to university pk

[@msibnsf]

People...PLEASE STOP PLACING BLAME....THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO WAS BEHIND IT . The church people fall on their swords. Stop spreading the lie.

[@davidblackwell6914]

University has been patiently waiting to inch into Woodlawn expensive homes coming up everywhere new houses and businesses associated with university are popping up nowadays.

[@SorryWereOpen247]

msibnsf ... B.S. !!! I know who has a copy of the declaration and have seen/read it myself out of actual disgust !!! ... Some of you guys are on 'Speculation' and NOT substantiated Facts ( Ok, I get it)! Yeah, The University had a 'Role', But SOMEONE(S) else took the lead role in "Threatening" to 'threats' to boycotts, backlashes, and disruptions via demonstrations...and for the sake of WHAT ????...If I got a dime for each time I have heard "I wish they still went to 'Stoney'.....

[@CaseysTrains]

In my upcoming novel that take place in 2009-2010, the Green Line has been restored to Jackson Park. It's good to dream. But then a tornado severed the line at Cottage Grove later on in the series.

[@msibnsf]

Thanks to all who have watched this historical drama...thanks to all who have commented. Unfortunately, many have seized the quickest targets and forgotten your lessons in history....you've names reverends, aldermen, community groups, these were all scapegoats. Ask yourself, who is the largest promoter of racial segregation and the largest protectionists on the south side. Now after you've answered this...you know why the "L" came down. D. Harrison (msibnsf)

[@F40PH-2CAT]

The Democratic Party?

[@davidblackwell6914]

University of Chicago is taking Woodlawn back now you see all the businesses that cater to college students springing up now in 2022

[@ralphp224]

@@F40PH-2CAT if we were talking about the south in the 1960s, yes. But we’re not, so No. It’s probably the nearby Hyde Park neighborhood that stands out from the rest of the south side.

[@msibnsf]

@@davidblackwell6914 , I don't see that happening on East 63rd St.

[@ronjones3733]

I think tearing down the green line track on 63rd and Stony Island was pointless and meaningless...That particular L stop was more convenient for cta riders to get home or get to there destination more quickly...Several people ride the green going the southeast side of the city...The area has lots of business and resources on that side of the city...Hyde Park,Jackson Park,Woodlawn,etc ...I wonder would they tear down some of the North side L stops (Sheridan,Belmont,Ravenswood)

[@jbobbster]

+RON JONES They wouldn't touch anything on the North side, no matter what reverends and political leaders said. It's a damn shame. Not to mention, the waste of money on the new track that had already been laid from University to Dorchester. They had begun constructing the station. And then, poof, they pull the plug like that? Made no sense.

[@ThePizzaPoPo]

This makes me so mad. They destroyed history!

[@RobertPaniagua]

This reminded me of the MBTA's Orange Line in Boston/Roxbury being demolished in late '87 into '88 and thru early 1989, I really was mad when they were removing and bulldozing it, it was fun to ride in Boston over Washington Street, but at least in Chicago, they did not remove the whole Lower Green Line, that would really be bad.....

[@gerrenallmon6999]

But what year did this happen?

[@spoung45a]

@msibnsf and look at the area now. Nothing but vacant lots almost all the way to Dorchester.

[@F40PH-2CAT]

NYC made this mistake (Jamaica Ave el) in the 1970s, you'd think Chicago would have learned from that.

[@FormerlyNYVulgarian]

They did the same in the Bronx with the 3rd Ave el which was the 8 train that ran on Webster Ave from 149th St - Gun Hill Road. Would’ve appreciated it during my HS days.

[@AVeryRandomPerson]

At least New York replaced it with the Archer Avenue lower level

[@IBMeddling]

I don't get it...the green line still goes to 63rd and Ashland and also 63rd and Grove (it rotates) how could it have been torn down like that? Did they rebuild it from scratch? or is this another location?

[@randyhorne1067]

they wish now that they had not done that because of the coming Obama presidential library.

[@dplomin1954]

Tearing down the el line makes no sense. Never has, never will. The trains are more reliable than the buses and they don’t get stuck in traffic. This area will not get redeveloped like they’re trying to make you believe when the line is gone. Just empty lots.

[@adelgado75]

What was the rational for tearing it down?

[@msibnsf]

The rationale for tearing it down was that two politically connected community leaders thought the "L" was a detriment to development.

[@BurlingtonNorthernModeler]

@howardkevinm why do they need things on the side? That's what tracks are for! Why would you be on the tracks in first place?

[@albertcarello619]

Perhaps later it will be considered as a mistake tearing this line down.

[@italobambino43]

It is sad to see that Chicago demo;ished this section, recently two years ago, the city removed completely the west Philadelphia elevated structure, this stretch went from 46 th street to Upper Darby terminal in Delaware county, they saved nothing of the original structure, it almost looks like a monorail, ugly to. One thing was that this older stretch was built differently from the Northeast, the supports went straight down to the street, the structure sat in the middle of the street.

[@JoeyLovesTrains]

Was it rebuilt?? Or is it still gone?? Where did it terminate??

[@jbobbster]

+JoeyLovesTrains (NorthShoreLine) It has never been rebuilt. The plan for the Green Line rehabilitation was restore service from University to Dorchester, which would have been the terminal, and was in proximity with Metra and the South Shore Line Because political leaders thought the line hurt the neighborhood, and the despite the fact that new track had been laid from University to Dorchester, the CTA discontinued it, and made Cottage Grove the terminal for the 63rd St. Branch of the Green line. All the track East of that station was torn down.

[@MCELVAINE6996]

I agree I wanted to take it at least as far as Dorchester av..But the Rev at the church there on Dorchester wanted it gone because he felt like the trains was making too much noise during his surmon..

[@jeffreysmith85]

Daley was mayor and the university of Chicago did nothing to stop it or invest in the area what did the alderman do hire the crew?

[@BVictor21]

@boilerbob7 The area has been vacant lots for decades. There was a dramatic decline in the area during the 1950's through the 1970's

The University of Chicago wanted to expand ,so they used many methods to destroy the neighborhood ,including redlining with the city's collusion ,so no residential or other loans went into the neighborhood .

[@lavellekirk9702]

This simply just does not make any ounce of sense !

[@loftonrembert8481]

It was the jackson park line they tore it down from stoney island and stopped right before cottage grove

[@mannyfrencha5102]

Jeff Fort under the bus

[@MCELVAINE6996]

@boazrg Well I know the EL wasn't perfect thats way I wanted it at Dorchester because the line was deterating and it might damage the Metra line,,..But in spite of all that they could have fixed it..They tore down a big peice of history and I'm still upset

[@pawpawnorth]

i dont believe in tracks over street, as to me they are an eyesore, unless there is alot of development, in this case, there is not, but i do believe it should still be there, but in my opinion an underground line would be better, samewith the Lake Street green line.

[@pawpawnorth]

@BVictor21 thats true

[@norellpolk]

sept 1997 was when they tore it down

[@quincexl1279]

I was only 7 at that time.

[@twtrains]

Damn shame!

[@AnirbanQazi]

Modell used to run that Block 🚫.

[@jeffreysmith85]

Jessie Jackson where were you?

[@MCELVAINE6996]

they discontinued the whole green line to inprove the line because it was very old and in need of repair

[@Chitwn81]

Watching this is heartbreaking....even though it was 25 years ago. Now that Obama Library has gotten the green light if a person is coming from the west side of the city they would have to get off at Cottage Grove and wait for a bus to take them to Stony Island unless the city supplements a bus that goes from The library to the terminal which would be great 👍🏾

[@blakemcnamara9105]

Let's rebuild it!

[@leecornwell5632]

They definitely need to rebuild it . This reminds me of the old 8 Third Ave Elevated line being tairing down in NYC South Bronx Clearmount Avenue Webster Ave Bronx.

[@will107]

All they tore down was the end of the the line. The line still exists, its just shorter. There is really nothing in the neighborhood, so nothing to serve. This same fate fell on other sections of the L, but its very debatable if the scrapping of the other lines that had the same fate of being shortened helped the neighborhoods or not, but the CTA lost at least one brand new station that they had just heavily refurbishment.

[@pomerlain8924]

Tell that to people who are freezing their butts off in winter waiting for the slow 63rd St bus to take them to Cottage Grove. Cutting off the line at Cottage Grove was stupid. Many people in Reverend Brazier's congregation depended on the L going further east on 63rd to get to his church. And not to mention, now that Obama is going to be opening a new center around that area, it would have greatly helped to have an elevated line to get there, rather than get to the end of the line a 63rd, and then wait on the slow bus to get you to the building.