Author Topic: Bloomingdale Line History  (Read 1999 times)

vasquez35th

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Bloomingdale Line History
« on: May 24, 2012, 02:57:59 PM »
My name is Saul Vasquez and I am a junior at Pomona College. I am currently working as an intern for the Trust for Public Land, a non-profit land conservation organization. In collaboration with the City of Chicago and the Chicago Park District, the Trust for Public Land's biggest project deals with the Bloomingdale Trail, which seeks to convert the abandoned Bloomingdale rail into a 3-mile long park.

As an intern, I am in charge of conducting historical research on Chicago's Bloomingdale Rail Line. It would be great to find out about the rail line's general history and how this may have affected local businesses (e.g. Schwinn Bicycles, Churchill Cabinets, etc.) or shifting demographics in Chicago's Northwest neighborhoods. However, I am having trouble finding any information on online databases or primary search engines.

I am hoping people here can help me. Any references or resources would be greatly appreciated. Please make me aware of any further questions or comments.

Thank you.

TBurke

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Re: Bloomingdale Line History
« Reply #1 on: May 25, 2012, 09:50:34 AM »
Saul-

The history of the Bloomingdale Line of the Milwaukee Road (and later, the Soo Line/CP Rail) is covered extensively in the book "The Milwaukee Road in Chicago" in a detailed chapter on this line.  It includes track diagrams, lists of rail-served customers, and photos.  The book was published in 2007. 

You can order the book online from the Milwaukee Road Historical Association at

http://www.mrha.com/item-detail.cfm?ID=135

I saw it for sale also at Des Plaines Hobby.

Tom