The 5th Avenue station is seen looking east on the inbound platform circa 1952, shortly after "L" service was withdrawn west of Desplaines. An outbound CA&E interurban train is approaching the station. The station house on the right served the facility. Note the hinged flaps on the edge of the platforms, which would be flipped up to allow wider freight trains to clear the platforms. For a larger view, click here. (Photo by Robert V. Mehlenbeck, courtesy of the Krambles-Peterson Archive)

 

5th Avenue (500W/1400S)
5th Avenue near Quincy Street, Village of Maywood

Service Notes:

Westchester Line

Quick Facts:

Address: TBD
Established: October 1, 1926
Original Line: Metropolitan West Side Elevated, Westchester branch
Previous Names: none
Skip-Stop Type: n/a
Rebuilt: n/a
Status: Demolished

History:

In the mid-1920s, the Chicago Aurora & Elgin interurban planned to build a high-speed bypass route for their trains through the western suburbs. Designed to leave the CA&E main line just east of their existing Bellwood station at Bellwood Avenue, the branch was to go south to Cermak Road, then turn west to rejoin the CA&E Aurora branch near Warrenville. The only section to be built was what became the Westchester branch, which opened as a one-mile spur from Bellwood Avenue to Roosevelt Road.

Operation of the Westchester branch was made the responsibility of the Chicago Rapid Transit Company, with service beginning on October 1, 1926. The CRT served the Westchester branch by extending certain Garfield Park trains beyond their usual terminal at Desplaines Avenue. These "L" trains also assumed service to the existing intermediate stations on the CA&E main line between Desplaines and Bellwood, relieving the interurban of the obligation to handle this short haul traffic. Upon the inauguration of "L" service the CA&E ceased serving these stops, except for 5th Avenue, which the CA&E continued to service to meet their franchise obligation to make at least one stop in each city they passed through.

The 5th Avenue station featured dual side platforms on the west side of the street. The facility also featured a station house on the inbound platform.

"L" service to 5th Avenue station ceased on December 9, 1951, when all "L" service west of Desplaines was discontinued, Westchester branch service was withdrawn, and the CTA replaced the branch with bus service. The CA&E resumed serving the local stations in Maywood and Bellwood until the CA&E ceased operation on July 3, 1957.