Dempster (1300N/800W)
Dempster Street and Sherman Place, City of Evanston

Service Notes:

Purple Line: Evanston

Quick Facts:

Address: 1316 Sherman Avenue
Established: May 16, 1908
Original Line: Northwestern Elevated Railroad, Evanston branch
Previous Names: none
Skip-Stop Type: All Stop
Rebuilt: 1909
Status: In Use

History:

An experimental Dempster sign from 1977. In all likelihood, this sign was never actually installed. Note the incorrect address coordinates (they're actually 1300N 800W) and the arrow (later an indication that the station has two exits; early in the use of KDR-style signs, it was also used when a station had only one).

"L" service entered Evanston by way of an agreement to use the tracks of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway on May 16, 1908, replacing the steam service that the St. Paul had previously provided. The steam railroad's original station remained, though the "L" constructed a high-level platform station of simple frame construction, all of which was demolished during the elevation of the tracks in 1909. (as per the 1907 franchise agreement from the City of Evanston).

The second station (the first actual "L" station) was constructed when the tracks were elevated, which was completed in 1910. The current station is most likely this structure. Today, Dempster is a ground level station house constructed of dark brick. Several elements, such as the style of the brickwork, quoins on the corners, hipped roof, formal five bay symmetry, 6/1 double-hung multipaned windows, and multipaned transoms over the doors, suggest a Georgian Revival style influence on the structure's design. The station houses only modest amenities. The fare collection booth is probably original and the interior walls are of glazed white tile. There is space for a newspaper concessionaire, but one has not occupied the station for many years. The original platform, a steel structure and canopy and wood floor, remain.

The Dempster station was proposed for closing in 1991 as part of a long list of possible service cuts -- including the closure of 23 "L" stations -- presented by the then-cash strapped CTA to save money. The entire service reduction package, which then-CTA Chairman Clark Burrus called, "drastic... devastating and draconian," would have saved the CTA $20 million in operating costs. Ultimately, only some of the cuts were enacted and the Dempster station was allowed to remain open in exchange for reduced agent hours.

As part of the CTA's^® 2004-2008 Capital Improvement Plan, funding is provided for the design of extensive renovations at Dempster. The station will be accessible when reconstruction is complete. Funding is not anticipated to be available for this project until 2006-07, however. Future funding will be required to undertake work the station.

The dual side platforms at Dempster, looking north on the southbound platform on December 17, 2002. The canopy design was typical for the Evanston stations built in the 1909-10 elevation project. For a larger view, click here. (Photo by Graham Garfield)

	tour02@Dempster01.jpg (178k) The tour group assembles in front of Dempster station as the guides discuss the design of the station and the neighborhood on the 4th Annual Historic "L" Station Tour on October 20, 2002. (Photo by Tony Coppoletta)
	tour02@Dempster02.jpg (168k) The group is assembled across the street from the Dempster station on the Purple Line during the 4th Annual Historic "L" Station Tour on October 20, 2002 to hear about the station's design. This location provides not only an excellent place from which to view the station, but also a vantage point for the surrounding buildings, which share a common scale and massing. (Photo by Tony Coppoletta)
	tour02@Dempster03.jpg (154k) Guide John Craib-Cox visually demonstrates concepts of sizes, scale, and massing to the group in front of the Dempster station during the 4th Annual Historic "L" Station Tour on October 20, 2002. (Photo by Tony Coppoletta)
	cta1029.jpg (104k) Heading southbound on an Evanston Shuttle, car 1029 stops at Dempster circa the early 1950s. Car 1029 has been on the former Northwestern Elevated lines since the beginning: it was in the company's first order of cars in 1898. (Photo from the Jeff Obarek Collection)
	cta4414.jpg (132k) Car 4414 leads a four-car Evanston train at Dempster on August 18, 1970. (Photo by Joe Testagrose)
	IRMtrip@Dempster1.jpg (60k) The three-car IRM PCC charter train is trailed by car 22, looking south at the 1910s Dempster platforms on May 6, 2001. (Photo by Graham Garfield)
	IRMtrip@Dempster2.jpg (59k) Looking south at Dempster, a work-capable 2400-series car in service on the Purple Line Shuttle pulls up along the three-car IRM PCC charter train on May 6, 2001. (Photo by Graham Garfield)
	cta2568.jpg A four-car Evanston Shuttle train, with car 2568 at the front, heads for Howard Street, stopping at Dempster on its way, on March 3, 2001. (Photo by Mike Farrell)
	cta6655-2424.jpg On an IRM fan trip, 6000-series car 6655 sits along side 2400-series car 2424 on the Purple Line Shuttle at Dempster on May 6, 2001. (Photo by Mike Farrell)
	cta2836.jpg A six-car Evanston Shuttle train, led by car 2836, pulls into Dempster station on its way to Howard, looking north on November 17, 2002. (Photo by Mike Farrell)

• Dempster_next.wav (125k): "Dempster is next. Doors open on the right at Dempster." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)