City - Chicago - Piano Row 1907 Postcard

Colorized photo from 1907 Original title: Elevated railroad Location: Wabash Ave & Van Buren St., Chicago, Ill This is known as an elevated railway, still in use today. Also known as an L train. The L train is a small set of trains that rides on tracks that are above the road. This allows for an express route any place in the city. Over the years many cities took down these, because they are kind of ugly, noisy and the people living in those buildings don't get much privacy. But if they like trains, its a joy every day living there. This train is from Chicago, the tower in the middle was known as Tower 12, its a switching station and maintenance shed for this corner. There were windows on the top on all sides, and rows of levers that had to be pulled perfectly, or you would have a train flying off the tracks. This area was known as Piano Row, nearly every store sells piano's of some kind, some sell organs, and one sells caskets. Which is very convenient if you just bought a piano and are bringing it home that day.