SUBSTATIONS

CONSTRUCTED BY ELEVATED LINES

Because the information found regarding the history of rapid transit substations is not as comprehensive as such information for the streetcar system, this page may be incomplete.

FRANKLIN
321 S. Franklin Ave. (near Jackson Blvd.)

Opened in 1908, rotary converters 25 hertz.

Originally installed 2 2,000 kilowatt rotary converters, total 4,000 kilowatts.

Owned by Metropolitan West Side Elevated Railway/leased in 1913 to Commonwealth Edison.
Also served streetcars beginning in 1918.

Modernized 1968 with rectifiers 60 hertz.
Still a CTA substation.

KOLMAR
616 S. Kolmar Ave. (near Harrison St.)

Opened in 1906, rotary converters 25 hertz.

Originally installed 2 1,500 kilowatt rotary converters, total 3,000 kilowatts.

Owned by Metropolitan West Side Elevated Railway/leased in 1913 to Commonwealth Edison.
Also served streetcars beginning in 1915.

Remains a Commonwealth Edison substation
Replaced 1980 by separate CTA substation immediately north.

ROBEY
2019 W. North Ave. (near Damen Ave.)

Opened in 1906, rotary converters 25 hertz.

Originally installed 2 1,500 kilowatt rotary converters, total 3,000 kilowatts.

Owned by Metropolitan West Side Elevated Railway/leased in 1913 to Commonwealth Edison.
Also served streetcars beginning in 1918.

Building demolished around 1960's.

ROCKWELL STREET
2567 W. Lake St.

Opened in 1902, rotary converters 25 hertz.

Originally installed likely 3 1,000 kilowatt rotary converters, total 3,000 kilowatts.

Owned by Chicago & Oak Park Elevated Railroad/transferred around 1920 to Commonwealth Edison.
Line had total 6 1,000 kilowatt rotary converters among two substations.

Closed by 1950's.
Building sold, demolished by 1980's.

LOMBARD AVENUE
117 S. Lombard Ave./Oak Park

Opened early 1900's, rotary converters 25 hertz.

Originally installed likely 3 1,000 kilowatt rotary converters, total 3,000 kilowatts.

Owned by Chicago & Oak Park Elevated Railroad/transferred around 1920 to Commonwealth Edison.
Line had total 6 1,000 kilowatt rotary converters among two substations.

Replaced in 1968 by Lotus substation.
Building sold, remains standing, in use as a home.

CALVARY
205 Chicago Ave./Evanston (near Howard St.)

Opened in 1908, rotary converters 25 hertz.

Originally installed 2 2,000 kilowatt rotary converters, total 4,000 kilowatts.

Owned by Northwestern Elevated Railroad/leased in 1913 to Commonwealth Edison.
Also served streetcars beginning in 1914.

Replaced around mid 1970's by new substation across street.
Building demolished due to Howard yard expansion.

CHICAGO AVENUE
311 W. Institute Pl.

Opened early 1900's, rotary converters 25 hertz.

Originally installed 1 2,000 kilowatt rotary converter, total 2,000 kilowatts.

Owned by Northwestern Elevated Railroad/leased in 1913 to Commonwealth Edison.

Closed late 1910's, building remains standing.

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