FORMER CAR HOUSES AND BUS GARAGES
Between 1907 and 1910, the streetcar companies making up the Chicago Surface Lines constructed ten new car houses. These and six older car houses were in use until the end of streetcar service in 1958. Meanwhile, eight out of the ten newer car houses were eventually converted to bus garages.
Car houses known to exist in the 1890's, prior to modernization to a unified system. Most of these car houses ceased to be operating car houses after 1910, when construction of the newer car houses was completed. Some of these older car houses were replaced with newer car houses at the exact same locations.
Miscellaneous Chicago Surface Lines and CTA bus garages, no longer in operation.
Bus garages constructed for Chicago Motor Coach Co., most of which were eventually inherited by CTA.
Photos of former car houses, including some which have been adapted for other uses.
Photos of various other streetcar facilities, some which have been adapted for other uses.
Photos of former bus garages, which survive and have been adapted for other uses.
Links to garage locations, using Google Maps. Satellite views are also available.
In Chicago, odd address numbers are on the south or east sides of the street, and even address numbers are on the north or west sides of the street.
Much information on older transit facilities is from the "Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps", which is a fascinating and valuable resource in determining exactly what buildings were where, historically. People with a Chicago Public Library card can access these maps online at the Chicago Public Library Web site. Because the map collection is incomplete, not all older transit facilities are known, and any further information would be appreciated. Bill Vandervoort