Congress Terminal

Congress Terminal

Company type	Rapid transit terminal station
Industry	Public transportation
Founded	1892
Defunct	1963
Successor	Congress/Wabash station
Headquarters	Chicago, Illinois , United States
Area served	Chicago South Side
Owner	Chicago and South Side Rapid Transit Railroad; later Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)

Congress Terminal functioned as a rapid transit stop on the Chicago "L", serving the South Side Elevated line. Situated at Congress Parkway above Holden Court, it commenced operations in 1892 as the Elevated's initial northern endpoint. Following the construction of the Loop in 1897, this terminal ceased operations and was succeeded by the nearby Congress/Wabash station. Due to heavy traffic congestion on the Loop, Congress Terminal was reactivated in 1902 under the name Old Congress to distinguish it from Congress/Wabash.

Built by the Chicago and South Side Rapid Transit Railroad, Congress Terminal was among the earliest stations on Chicago’s 'L' system. The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) discontinued service there on August 1, 1949, as part of a service restructuring that introduced A-B Skip-Stop operations on the south side. Nonetheless, the Chicago North Shore and Milwaukee Railroad continued utilizing the facility for baggage handling until its ultimate closure in 1963.

Nomenclature

The station underwent several name changes: originally referred to as "Congress street station" and "Congress street terminus" in 1892, it was later known as the "State–Congress terminal" by the time of its closure in 1949.

Initial operation and purpose (1892–1897)

Incorporated in 1888, the South Side Elevated Railroad launched service on June 6, 1892. Its northernmost point was a single-track, single-platform terminal located on Congress Street. The terminal soon experienced overcrowding issues, with reports citing limited passenger movement and narrow entryways that led to delays and missed departures. Management recognized these challenges and committed to enhancements prior to the influx of visitors for the World's Fair, understanding that improved facilities would attract more riders.

Closure following Loop construction (1897–1902)

The terminal was shut down after the Loop opened in 1897.

Reopening and final phase (1902–1963)

Overcrowding on the Loop prompted reopening of the Congress terminal in 1902, at which time it was renamed "Old Congress" to prevent confusion with the adjacent Congress/Wabash station.

Station details

Throughout its operation, the terminal consisted of a single track accompanied by a platform positioned at its eastern end.

Service patterns and travel times

Originally, travel from Congress to 39th Street took approximately 14 minutes—half the duration required by competing cable car lines. The service operated continuously throughout the day with varying intervals: trains ran every 20 minutes overnight; every 14 minutes during early mornings and late evenings; every 6 minutes mid-morning and early evening; and at intervals of every 3 minutes during peak rush hours. This schedule reflected a deliberate strategy to meet commuter demand effectively.

External links

A narrated 1949 view of the Congress Terminal