Lincoln Square Construction Unearths A Piece Of Pre-CTA History

Excavation crews in Lincoln Square have uncovered metal tracks and wooden blocks from the 1895 electric streetcar system along Lincoln Avenue. According to transit historian Graham Garfield, these tracks are remnants of the Lincoln Avenue streetcar line, which served the area until the introduction of bus service in 2017. The shift from streetcars to buses in the 1950s was driven by maintenance costs and economic pressures. Ian Tobin, of the Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the operational flexibility of buses. Tim Samuelson, the city's cultural historian, expressed interest in the wooden blocks, noting their rarity compared to more common brick or stone pavements.

The discovery underscores the historical significance of transit infrastructure in Chicago, which once had one of the largest independent street railway systems. This ongoing excavation contributes to understanding the evolution of public transportation in the city. The findings may prompt further exploration of Chicago's transportation history as construction continues in the area.