Remember that when most of the commuter station stops on the Q were
laid out, even the street cars didn't exist. The station were
established primarily for the convenience of customers, almost 100% of
which, walked from home to the station. Also remember that in the late
1800s, the phenomenon of "suburbs" was a new concept. In addition to
convenience, may of the stops, particularly further out from Chicago
were established with the idea of attracting people from the city to
purchase property and homes in the "new" residential subdivisions. The
easy access to the RR station was (and still is) a major attraction for
potential buyers. Just check the current price of property in
Naperville or Hinsdale which is near the station.
I grew up in Downers Grove and I have seen old advertisements, some
affiliated with the Q, extolling the virtures of suburban living in the
"new" developments in our town. Not unlike real estate development ads
one sees today.
Over time, many of the depots have changed, but their location and
popularity only seems to increase. Some of the more remote and smaller
stops from years ago are now much larger and at least one, Route 59 in
west Naperville, is totally new (and VERY popular) since the days of
the Q. It is the only depot on the Q commuter district specifically
designed for the automobile. As for relocation of depots, keep in mind
that Aurora depot has been relocated. The old depot is totally abandon
and all tracks removed except for the mainline.
While Harlem Avenue (the street) is definitely busy, the station
remains popular and still serves many customers in the immediate area
who walk there. In fact, like a number of stations, parking is at a
premium there. A new location between the Berwyn depot and Harlem
Avenue would difficult to accomplish as the space is not really
available and it would probably create a whole new set of traffic
problems.
Bill Barber
On Wednesday, May 5, 2004, at 06:39 AM, CBQ@yahoogroups.com wrote:
> Date: Tue, 4 May 2004 11:37:57 -0500
> From: "Russell Strodtz" <vlbg@earthlink.net>
> Subject: Re: Harlem Ave station Berwyn
>
> Mike,
>
> The Chicago and West Towns streetcar line was on Harlem Ave.
> A better connection there than at the Berwyn depot. The
> LaVergne depot is also in Berwyn. The Cicero city limits
> are further East at Lombard Ave.
>
> At La Grange the two depots might even be a little closer
> together.
>
> Another consideration is the platform area available for
> loading and unloading. If the passengers can not get on to
> the platform then loading is slower and sort of defeats the
> purpose of the whole system. When these stops were laid out
> it was presumed that people would either walk or make
> streetcar connections at the depots. Parking was not even a
> consideration. Many people still do walk to the stations.
>
> Russ
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: mikebennidict
> To: CBQ@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Tuesday, 04 May, 2004 11:19
> Subject: [CBQ] Harlem Ave station Berwyn
>
>
> i don't live there or anywhere in the surounding communities. but
> i've occasionally driven through there and have noticed that there
> are 2 stations in that town wich isn't unusual but if i'm not
> mistaken, they are very close togaether Harlem Ave. and the Berwyn
> station. i may not know the town all that well, but i'm familiar
> with Harlem ave. and Oak Park ave. elsewhere. i live in Park Ridge
> witch is close to the Chicago Border and know how busy Harlem is and
> i can imagine what it's like at the Harlem Ave. station in Berwyn. i
> know when the railroads were laid out streets like Harlem weren't as
> busy but i'm sure between the time Berwyn and the nearby towns began
> the grow the city could of either moved the station maybe even build
> 1 station in between Harlem and the main staion and while we's still
> have the traffic at least it wouldn't be as conjested there durring
> the morning and evening rush hours.
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