East 63rd branch

The East 63rd branch, formerly known as the Jackson Park branch, is a 1.5-mile (2.4 km) long branch of the Chicago "L" operated as part the Green Line by the Chicago Transit Authority, serving the Woodlawn neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois.

East 63rd branch
Overview
StatusOperational
LocaleChicago, Illinois, United States
Termini
Stations2
Service
TypeRapid transit
SystemChicago "L"
ServicesGreen
Operator(s)Chicago Transit Authority (1947–present)
Chicago Rapid Transit Company (1924–1947)
South Side Elevated Railroad (1893–1924)
Rolling stock5000-series
Daily ridership1,427
(average weekday 2019)
History
Opened1893
Technical
Line length1.5 mi (2.4 km)
CharacterElevated
Track gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
ElectrificationThird rail, 600 V DC
Route map
South Side Main Line
to Loop
 61st
61st Yard
Lower 63rd Yard
 King Drive
 Cottage Grove
 University
 Dorchester
Metra Electric and South Shore Line
 Jackson Park
 Jackson Park

History

The first station on the East 63rd branch, 61st Street, opened January 22, 1893. Service was extended to Madison Avenue (later renamed Dorchester) on April 23, 1893, and to Jackson Park on May 12, 1893, to serve the World's Columbian Exposition, which was held in Jackson Park. On October 31, 1893, the World's Columbian Exposition ended and the Jackson Park station was closed. Stony Island was then made the terminus and was renamed Jackson Park.

On March 4, 1982, structural defects in the Jackson Park branch's bridge over the Illinois Central Railroad forced its closure south of the 61st street stop. When the branch reopened on December 12, 1982, service was only restored as far as the University stop. On January 9, 1994, the Green Line closed for renovation. When the line reopened on May 12, 1996, the Cottage Grove stop was the new terminal, and the Jackson Park branch was renamed the East 63rd branch. On September 27, 1997, the portion of the branch east of Cottage Grove was demolished with less than 24 hours public notice.[1]

Station listing
Station[2] Location Points of interest & notes
61st 61st Street and Prairie Avenue Opened January 22, 1893, closed January 9, 1994.
King Drive Disabled access Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and 63rd Street Woodlawn, Inbound boarding only ↑
Cottage Grove Disabled access Cottage Grove Avenue and 63rd Street University of Chicago, University of Chicago Medical Center, Jackson Park, Oak Woods Cemetery, Woodlawn
University University Avenue and 63rd Street Opened April 23, 1893, closed January 9, 1994.
Dorchester Dorchester Avenue and 63rd Street Opened April 23, 1893 as "Madison," closed January 13, 1973.
Jackson Park Stony Island Avenue and 63rd Street Opened May 12, 1893, as "Stony Island" closed March 4, 1982.
Jackson Park Hayes Drive and Cornell Drive World's Columbian Exposition Fair Grounds, opened May 12, 1893. Transfer point to the Intramural Railway. Closed October 31, 1893

References
  1. Green Line:East 63rd (Jackson Park) branch Chicago "L".org. Accessed August 16, 2013
  2. Chicago Elevated Chicago Elevated Railways 1913. Accessed August 16, 2013
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