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63rd and Central Park (Chicago Lawn)
Posted by:
Chistorian51
(---.hfc.comcastbusiness.net)
Date: October 06, 2014 05:45PM
Anybody have any info on this building, looks like it was last called "Traxx Cafe". https://maps.google.com/maps?biw=1229&bih=845&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.76802529,d.aWw&wrapid=tljp141262002277920&um=1&ie=UTF-8&fb=1&gl=us&q=6300-6328+S+Central+Park+Ave,+Chicago,+IL+60629&sa=X&ei=_N4yVPr_NI-cyASspYKwDQ&ved=0CB0Q8gEwAA
Re: 63rd and Central Park (Chicago Lawn)
Posted by:
Chistorian51
(---.hfc.comcastbusiness.net)
Date: October 06, 2014 05:47PM
3592 W. 63rd St. is the exact address
Re: 63rd and Central Park (Chicago Lawn)
Posted by:
Jeff_Weiner
(---.sub-70-194-108.myvzw.com)
Date: October 06, 2014 06:44PM
Chistorian51 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Anybody have any info on this building, looks like
> it was last called "Traxx Cafe".
> https://maps.google.com/maps?biw=1229&bih=845&bav=
> on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.76802529,d.aWw&wrapid=tljp141
> 262002277920&um=1&ie=UTF-8&fb=1&gl=us&q=6300-6328+
> S+Central+Park+Ave,+Chicago,+IL+60629&sa=X&ei=_N4y
> VPr_NI-cyASspYKwDQ&ved=0CB0Q8gEwAA
It used to be the Grand Trunk Western (Canadian National) passenger station, back when there were two tracks, and the GTW RR had passenger service. Don't know why the restaurant closed, though, as I had moved out of the neighborhood by then.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Anybody have any info on this building, looks like
> it was last called "Traxx Cafe".
> https://maps.google.com/maps?biw=1229&bih=845&bav=
> on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.76802529,d.aWw&wrapid=tljp141
> 262002277920&um=1&ie=UTF-8&fb=1&gl=us&q=6300-6328+
> S+Central+Park+Ave,+Chicago,+IL+60629&sa=X&ei=_N4y
> VPr_NI-cyASspYKwDQ&ved=0CB0Q8gEwAA
It used to be the Grand Trunk Western (Canadian National) passenger station, back when there were two tracks, and the GTW RR had passenger service. Don't know why the restaurant closed, though, as I had moved out of the neighborhood by then.
Re: 63rd and Central Park (Chicago Lawn)
Posted by:
rjmachon
(---.hsd1.il.comcast.net)
Date: October 06, 2014 07:20PM
Nothing for that address in the CCA's Office. That property most likely belongs to the railroad. It looks like that building use to be a train stop at one time. It like there was a platform there at one time as well. The viaduct has a date on it, 1929. You can see a building there on the old Historic Photos, aerial shot as far back as 1938.
Thanks Jeff.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/06/2014 07:23PM by rjmachon.
Thanks Jeff.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/06/2014 07:23PM by rjmachon.
Re: 63rd and Central Park (Chicago Lawn)
Posted by:
Jeff_Weiner
(---.sub-70-194-107.myvzw.com)
Date: October 06, 2014 09:29PM
I have a vague recollection about the doors being locked back around 1969, when we moved out of the neighborhood. Sometime in the 90's I happened to be back there on my way to do some field work, and that was when I noticed it had been turned into a restaurant. I was back again sometime between 2005 and 2010, and noticed the restaurant had closed. Since I was on the clock in both cases, I didn't stick around to have a better look.
Re: 63rd and Central Park (Chicago Lawn)
Posted by:
Richard Stachowski
(---.hsd1.il.comcast.net)
Date: October 07, 2014 12:36AM
[b]If this is the building up against the tracks it was a train depot. It was also a lounge called the Depot. [/b]
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/07/2014 11:15AM by Richard Stachowski.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/07/2014 11:15AM by Richard Stachowski.
Re: 63rd and Central Park (Chicago Lawn)
Posted by:
Chistorian51
(---.hfc.comcastbusiness.net)
Date: October 07, 2014 11:23AM
Jeff appears to be right on target. Great info Jeff, found some more info here http://www.chicagorailfan.com/msgtw.html
Re: 63rd and Central Park (Chicago Lawn)
Posted by:
Jeff_Weiner
(---.sub-70-194-64.myvzw.com)
Date: October 07, 2014 02:08PM
If I had to guess why the restaurant failed, I'd have to say it may have been a lack of off-street parking. Too bad.
Re: 63rd and Central Park (Chicago Lawn)
Posted by:
davey7
(---.dsl.chcgil.ameritech.net)
Date: October 07, 2014 04:32PM
You can see the enclosed stairs up to the platform too, as well as the tower, which I assume was a signal tower. But commuter service to where exactly? The loop? Seems like a circuitous route to me, and then to Valpo? Has anybody ever been up the stairs? Anybody here I mean...
Re: 63rd and Central Park (Chicago Lawn)
Posted by:
Jeff_Weiner
(---.sub-70-194-101.myvzw.com)
Date: October 07, 2014 05:11PM
davey7 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> You can see the enclosed stairs up to the platform
> too, as well as the tower, which I assume was a
> signal tower. But commuter service to where
> exactly? The loop? Seems like a circuitous route
> to me, and then to Valpo? Has anybody ever been up
> the stairs? Anybody here I mean...
Elevator? I don't know, as I never was inside the station.
-------------------------------------------------------
> You can see the enclosed stairs up to the platform
> too, as well as the tower, which I assume was a
> signal tower. But commuter service to where
> exactly? The loop? Seems like a circuitous route
> to me, and then to Valpo? Has anybody ever been up
> the stairs? Anybody here I mean...
Elevator? I don't know, as I never was inside the station.
Re: 63rd and Central Park (Chicago Lawn)
Posted by:
Wyoming Ed
(---.direcway.com)
Date: October 08, 2014 12:38PM
Here's an interesting site with more info.
http://www.chicagorailfan.com/msgtw.html
http://www.chicagorailfan.com/msgtw.html
Re: 63rd and Central Park (Chicago Lawn)
Posted by:
bowler
(---.chipublib.org)
Date: October 10, 2014 04:58PM
Here is another view of the station:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/dwdavidson/4149169432/
Also, I have inquired about the building with Kathy Headley of the Chicago Lawn Historical Society and awaiting her reply.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/dwdavidson/4149169432/
Also, I have inquired about the building with Kathy Headley of the Chicago Lawn Historical Society and awaiting her reply.
Re: 63rd and Central Park (Chicago Lawn)
Posted by:
bowler
(---.chipublib.org)
Date: October 10, 2014 05:11PM
Another photo and some more info:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/23688072@N06/11517683435/in/photostream/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/23688072@N06/11517683435/in/photostream/
Re: 63rd and Central Park (Chicago Lawn)
Posted by:
davey7
(---.dsl.chcgil.ameritech.net)
Date: October 15, 2014 03:28PM
Interesting deterioration between the two photos. Looks like there's room on the viaduct for anther track, which would certainly be useful with our crazy freight traffic today.
Re: 63rd and Central Park (Chicago Lawn)
Posted by:
bowler
(---.chipublib.org)
Date: October 18, 2014 04:51PM
I asked Kathy Headley of the Chicago Lawn Historical Society about the building. Here is her response:
"If I remember correctly, the original street level station was on the west side of the tracks and was demolished when the tracks were raised and the viaduct was built. I’ll look through the files as soon as I can to very that though for you."
"If I remember correctly, the original street level station was on the west side of the tracks and was demolished when the tracks were raised and the viaduct was built. I’ll look through the files as soon as I can to very that though for you."
Re: 63rd and Central Park (Chicago Lawn)
Posted by:
Richard Stachowski
(---.hsd1.il.comcast.net)
Date: October 18, 2014 07:11PM
bowler Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Here is another view of the station:
>
> https://www.flickr.com/photos/dwdavidson/414916943
> 2/
>
> Also, I have inquired about the building with
> Kathy Headley of the Chicago Lawn Historical
> Society and awaiting her reply.
Thanks for your listing the station. I was looking for something like that
-------------------------------------------------------
> Here is another view of the station:
>
> https://www.flickr.com/photos/dwdavidson/414916943
> 2/
>
> Also, I have inquired about the building with
> Kathy Headley of the Chicago Lawn Historical
> Society and awaiting her reply.
Thanks for your listing the station. I was looking for something like that
Re: 63rd and Central Park (Chicago Lawn)
Posted by:
bowler
(---.chipublib.org)
Date: December 09, 2014 05:47PM
Received a response from Kathy Headley, president of the Chicago Lawn Historical Society, regarding this building:
"In answer to your question about the building at
63rd and Central Park, I found that in the 1930s when the originial station
on the west side of the railroad tracks was demolished to allow for the
elevation of the tracks, this new 'modern' station was erected east of the
tracks and is indeed the same building as had the restaurant. The photo I
have attached is from 1938."
(I can't seem to get the Flickr photo thing working, but here is a link to the photo):
https://www.flickr.com/photos/34126404@N06/15365473263/
"In answer to your question about the building at
63rd and Central Park, I found that in the 1930s when the originial station
on the west side of the railroad tracks was demolished to allow for the
elevation of the tracks, this new 'modern' station was erected east of the
tracks and is indeed the same building as had the restaurant. The photo I
have attached is from 1938."
(I can't seem to get the Flickr photo thing working, but here is a link to the photo):
https://www.flickr.com/photos/34126404@N06/15365473263/
