Chicago CTA

Photographs of CTA elevated tracks, subway stations and Pedway corridors across Chicago

Chicago, IL

This set documents Chicago Transit Authority facilities across the Loop and other parts of the city, including elevated 'L' structures, subway platforms, station interiors and Pedway corridors. Selected images show the CTA logo beneath steel girders in the Loop, the Sox–35th Red Line station adjacent to Guaranteed Rate Field, the Randolph/Washington subway hub and pedestrian tunnels, and Blue Line and O'Hare station platforms. Several frames emphasize mid-20th-century transit design features such as tiled vaults, mosaic ceilings and terrazzo floors, alongside examples of later station renovations. The photographs present operational and architectural details relevant to ongoing maintenance and transit planning across the system.

The Chicago CTA Grand Station platform corridor features blue tiled walls with red accents and granite flooring, part of the State Street Subway. — *October 20, 2019* — The Grand station, part of the Chicago Transit Authority's Red Line, serves as a key transit hub in the city's downtown area. Opened in 1943 as part of the State Street Subway, it was designed to alleviate congestion and connect the north and south sides of Chicago. The station's interior features a distinctive mid-20th-century aesthetic, characterized by its tiled walls with blue and red accents and polished granite flooring. This design not only provides a durable and easily maintained environment for high-volume passenger traffic but also contributes to the station's enduring visual identity.

The Grand Station Red Line stairway in Chicago features blue ceramic tiles and stainless-steel railings, connecting commuters to the city's rapid transit system. — *October 20, 2019* — The Grand Station Red Line stairway in Chicago, a key access point for the city's rapid transit system, showcases a design characteristic of late 20th-century CTA renovations. The corridor features blue ceramic tiles and stainless-steel railings, reflecting a focus on durability and functionality. Subtle skyline motifs integrated into the tilework serve as a nod to Chicago's architectural identity. This subterranean passage facilitates commuter flow between the North Side, Loop, and South Side neighborhoods, connecting them via the Red Line.

Interior of the Grand/State CTA Station in Chicago, a transfer point for the Red and Purple Lines, featuring a vaulted ceiling with blue mosaic tiles and ticket vending machines. — *October 20, 2019* — The interior of the Grand/State CTA Station in Chicago, a key transfer point on the city's rapid transit system. Opened in 1951, the station serves both the Red and Purple Lines, facilitating transit for thousands of commuters daily. The station's design features a distinctive vaulted ceiling adorned with blue mosaic tiles, a common aesthetic in mid-20th century public works projects. Passengers are seen here utilizing ticket vending machines, a modern convenience within this enduring piece of Chicago's transportation history.

Under the Elevated Tracks Chicago Loop — *October 20, 2019* — An illuminated stairway leads up to one of Chicago’s iconic “L” (elevated) train platforms in the Loop at night. The steel structure, marked with the system’s signature riveted beams, is part of the century-old elevated rail network that defines the city’s core transit identity. Below, a “Police Line – Do Not Cross” barricade and the quiet, empty street evoke a rare moment of stillness in an area usually dominated by the hum of trains and late-night traffic. This view highlights the utilitarian geometry and enduring presence of the Chicago Transit Authority’s elevated system, still serving as the backbone of the city’s rapid transit since the late 19th century.

Chicago Pedway Near Randolph Washington Station — *October 20, 2019* — An empty corridor of the Chicago Pedway connects the Randolph/Washington subway station to surrounding office buildings and shopping centers beneath the Loop. The Pedway system, developed beginning in the 1950s, extends for more than 40 city blocks, linking major transit lines with civic and commercial spaces. Its mid-century design—terrazzo floors, tiled walls, and fluorescent lighting—reflects the city’s practical approach to all-weather pedestrian infrastructure, a defining feature of downtown Chicago’s urban core.

Blue Line Subway Tunnel Chicago — *October 20, 2019* — The Milwaukee–Dearborn subway, part of Chicago's 'L' system, opened in 1951 and serves as a vital transit corridor. This platform within the Blue Line subway showcases the utilitarian design characteristic of mid-century rapid transit infrastructure, with its curved ceiling and blue tiled panels. The tunnel connects O'Hare International Airport to downtown Chicago, facilitating daily commutes for thousands. Despite its age, this subterranean artery remains a crucial component of the city's public transportation network.

Randolph Washington Station Chicago Pedway Hub — *October 20, 2019* — The Randolph/Washington station, a key hub for the CTA Red Line, is situated beneath downtown Chicago and serves as a vital connection to the city's extensive Pedway system. Opened in 1943 as part of a significant subway expansion, the station's original Art Moderne design, characterized by its tiled vault and distinctive signage, remains largely preserved. This underground transit nexus facilitates access to numerous offices, retail centers, and civic buildings, underscoring its historical importance in Chicago's urban development and public transportation network.

Red Line Sox 35th Street platform in Chicago — *October 20, 2019* — The Chicago Transit Authority’s Sox–35th station serves the Red Line on the city’s South Side, positioned above the Dan Ryan Expressway near Pershing Road. The station provides direct access to Guaranteed Rate Field, home of the Chicago White Sox, whose name can be seen across the pedestrian bridge in the background. Opened in 1969 as part of the Dan Ryan branch of the Red Line, the elevated structure was designed for efficiency amid highway traffic, symbolizing mid-century Chicago’s integration of mass transit and freeway infrastructure.

Chicago L Structure and CTA Sign in the Loop — *October 20, 2019* — The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) logo is displayed beneath the elevated "L" tracks that traverse the Loop, Chicago's central business district. Constructed in the late 19th century, the "L" system is a defining feature of the city's urban landscape and a testament to early public transit engineering. The steel structure, with its original girders and riveted beams, carries trains above streets lined with historic architecture. The CTA continues to operate one of the nation's largest and oldest public transit networks, serving over a million riders daily.

CTA trains at O'Hare International Airport Station, Chicago, the western terminus of the Blue Line, providing direct rail access to the airport. — *December 16, 2012* — CTA Trains at O'Hare International Airport Station, Chicago. The O'Hare station, opened in 1984, serves as the western terminus of the Chicago 'L' Blue Line. It provides direct rail access to O'Hare International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world. The station's distinctive architecture features a curved wall clad in colorful glass blocks, designed by architect Kisho Kurokawa. This station is a vital transportation hub, connecting travelers and commuters to the airport and the wider Chicago metropolitan area.

A CTA Blue Line train arrives at the O'Hare station platform in Chicago, a transit hub connecting the city to O'Hare International Airport. — *December 16, 2012* — The O'Hare CTA Station platform in Chicago serves as a vital transit hub connecting the city to O'Hare International Airport. Opened in 1984, this underground station is part of the CTA's Blue Line and was designed to facilitate efficient passenger flow between the airport terminals and downtown Chicago. The station's architecture features distinctive curved walls clad in glass blocks, creating a visually striking environment for commuters and travelers.