Wilson station (CTA)
| Company type | Rapid transit station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | May 31, 1900 |
| Headquarters | Chicago, Illinois , United States |
| Products | Rapid transit services (Red Line, Purple Line Express) |
Wilson serves as a Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) 'L' station positioned on the North Side Main Line at 4620 North Broadway within Chicago's Uptown district. It provides nonstop service on the Red Line and operates during weekday peak periods on the Purple Line.
Early developments
Passenger operations commenced on May 1, 1885, via the Chicago and Evanston Railroad (C&E) along the stretch north of Montrose Avenue, corresponding to the current Chicago "L" right-of-way. The Sheridan Park station, inaugurated between 1890 and 1891, was among several infill stations established along this route, including the location now occupied by Wilson station.
Chicago "L" era
The station opened on May 31, 1900, initially serving as the northern endpoint of the Northwestern Elevated Railroad. In 1907, it transformed into a two-level facility featuring a loop track designed for train turnarounds. Wilson transitioned into a through station in 1908 when the Northwestern Elevated extended service to Evanston using C&E tracks owned by the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway.
This extension allowed for a commercial building beneath the elevated tracks—the Stohr Arcade Building, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1909. This structure was demolished in 1922 and incorporated architectural details reminiscent of Wright’s earlier Robie House design.
Following the elevation of tracks northward, the Gerber Building was erected in 1923 adjacent to the station, while the neighboring McJunkin Building provided access to lower-level platforms. Over time, the station underwent several modifications: its lower level ceased operation on August 1, 1949; platform renovations occurred in 1960; and following the discontinuation of service by the North Shore Line in 1963, platform arrangements were simplified.
A yard and maintenance shops established beside the station in 1901 remained active until expansion of Howard Yard in 1993. After a fire damaged these facilities in October 1996, the area was cleared and left unused for several years. By 2011, development introduced an Aldi grocery store, a Target retail outlet, and residential housing on this site.
Stub track
An elevated stub track extending from Wilson station was a vestige of a connection to the former Buena Interchange Yard used for freight transfers with the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway. The CTA halted freight services in 1973; subsequently, the stub south of Montrose Avenue was removed. Additional demolition in 2010 segmented the remaining stub to facilitate construction of new facilities for Truman College.
Wilson Station Reconstruction Project
Included within CTA's Capital Improvement Plan from 2004 to 2008 was a comprehensive reconstruction of Wilson Station beginning in 2008. By 2012, efforts concentrated on establishing a transfer hub between Red and Purple Line Express trains—the first such connection since express service ended in 1976. The redesigned station incorporates a new primary entrance on Wilson’s southern side; elevators; escalators; expanded staircases; more turnstiles; improved lighting and signage; increased bicycle parking; enhanced security camera coverage; real-time train tracking displays; two island platforms facilitating cross-platform transfers; plus two additional entrances located at Sunnyside Avenue and Wilson’s northern side. Demolition activities began in October 2014 with an official groundbreaking held December 8, 2014. Throughout reconstruction, station operations continued without interruption.
Demolition of Track 1 commenced March 6, 2015. During this phase, southbound Purple Line Express trains shared track space with Red Line trains during morning rush hours at Wilson, Sheridan, and Addison stations—a condition that lasted one year until activation of new Track 1 and its southbound platform.
Track 2 demolition started March 21, 2016; concurrently, temporary entrances opened and remained available until project completion. The western portion of the newly constructed southbound platform began serving Red Line trains as well as AM rush hour Purple Line Express trains that bypassed Addison once more. Meanwhile, northbound Red Line trains continued using the original platform while its western half closed.
On September 26, 2016, demolition of Track 3 began alongside construction of a new northbound platform and stationhouse. The southbound platform reopened as the old Red Line platform closed; during this period northbound trains operated using the eastern half of the southbound platform.
Track 4 demolition commenced March 13, 2017 and concluded September 20, 2017. The east platform along with the north-side auxiliary entrance opened October 23, 2017; followed by opening of the Sunnyside Avenue auxiliary entrance on December 1.
The CTA declared project completion on February 5, 2018.
Red and Purple Modernization Project
Between May 2021 and July 2023, reconstruction work required the closure of the two northbound tracks north of the station, with all train services operating solely on the southbound tracks during this period. Subsequently, from July 2023 until July 2025, the two southbound tracks were closed for comparable structural upgrades, with trains rerouted to the northbound tracks. The modernization effort was completed on July 20, 2025.
Facilities
The station is equipped with two island platforms that serve a total of four tracks. During weekday peak hours, Purple Line Express trains utilize the outer tracks, while Red Line trains run on the inner tracks.
Location
Located at 4620 North Broadway (4600 north, 1100 west) within Chicago’s Uptown area, this station provides the closest transit connection to Harry S Truman College.
Bus connections
CTA
- 36 Broadway
- 78 Montrose