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This 1902 map provides a detailed representation of the surface street railroads in Chicago at the turn of the 20th century. It was compiled as one of 14 maps in an extensive report by Bion J. Arnold for the Local Transportation Committee of the Chicago City Council. The map includes the networks of three major streetcar companies operating in the city: the Chicago Union Traction Company, the Consolidated Traction Company, and the Chicago City Railway Company.
The map is centered on Chicago’s dense urban core and radiates outward, with concentric circles marking distance from the center in one-mile increments. These circles emphasize the reach of the street railroad system across the city’s growing neighborhoods and suburbs. The extensive network is distinguished by several types of surface streetcars, identified in the map’s key as electric motor cars, electric motor cars with trailers, and cable trains with trailers.
Each streetcar route is carefully delineated, showcasing the integrated urban transit system that facilitated the movement of Chicago’s rapidly growing population. The Chicago Union Traction Company primarily served the city’s northern and western areas, while the Consolidated Traction Company connected the expanding suburban neighborhoods. The Chicago City Railway Company was responsible for routes along the city’s southern corridors, ensuring robust coverage across the entire metropolitan area.
The map also reflects the technological evolution of public transit in Chicago, with electric traction gradually replacing cable-powered lines. The distinction between different types of cars and trailers reveals the complexity of operations at the time, as the city adapted to modern transportation innovations.
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![[ Chicago ] Map No, 6, Showing Surface Street Railroads of Chicago . . . 1902](https://storage.googleapis.com/raremaps/img/small/95341.jpg)