Racine (6300S/1200W)
Racine Avenue and 63rd Street, Englewood

Service Notes:

Green Line: Englewood branch

Quick Facts:

Address: 6314-16 S. Racine Avenue
Established: February 25, 1907
Original Line: South Side Elevated Railroad, Englewood branch
Previous Names: Center Street

Skip-Stop Type:

Station

Rebuilt: n/a
Status: Abandoned ENDANGERED

History: Above: The Racine station house (in shadow, under the tracks) and the platform, with its latticed canopy and newer sodium vapor lights. (Photo by Graham Garfield) Above Left: Racine station sign, from the brief period (1993-94) after the Englewood was rerouted to the Lake Line, but before it was closed down one year later. Note that this A station sign is blue (instead of the A station-standard red). (Sign from the collection of Graham Garfield) Racine was constructed in 1905-06, designed by architect Earl Nielson, engineered by Charles Weston of the South Side Elevated Railroad Company staff and built by the American Bridge Company of New York. It is constructed of brick with copper and wood trim, stone sills and limestone column bases executed in the Greek revival style. The articulated cornice, triglyphs and pilasters resemble a Doric temple. The interior is still intact, with its original wood floors and fixtures and plaster walls and vestibule. The light fixtures are original as well. The stairs, platform and platform canopy are the originals, wood on a steel structure, resembling many of those still visible throughout the system. The station house and platform are in exceptionally good condition and have been altered little, surprising given their age. The station has been closed, boarded and abandoned since the line was renovated in 1994-96 and the CTA has no plans to reopen the station. This puts this historically significant stop in extreme danger, given its uncertain future. Racine is the last of the original 1906 Englewood stations left and needs to be preserved. The station is painted in hues of red. The station resembles the 69th Street terminal on the Normal Park branch, perhaps indicating the same architect.

A view of the 1906-vintage platforms and canopies in situ at the abandoned Racine/63, looking west on the inbound platform with the 2001 Historic Station Tour charter train in the station on November 4, 2001. Racine Shops is on the left. For a larger view, click here. (Photo by Graham Garfield)

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	tour01@Racine-63rd02.jpg (128k) The Classical Revival architecture of the Racine station provides a picturesque backdrop and interesting subject for 2001 Historic Station Tour guide Graham Garfield on November 4, 2001. (Photo by Tony Coppoletta)
	tour01@Racine-63rd03.jpg (131k) Racine station provided a number of interesting subjects for the 2001 Historic Station Tour, including the abandoned Classical Revival station house at street level, the old steel latticed platform canopies, and the modern Racine Shops next door, all visible in this photo looking northwest from the east side of South Racine Avenue on November 4, 2001. (Photo by Graham Garfield)
	tour01@Racine-63rd04.jpg (135k) Keith Letsche says a few words as the tour members return to the platform from street level for a final look around before reboarding the train during the2001 Historic Station Tour on November 4, 2001. (Photo by Graham Garfield)
	tour01@Racine-63rd05.jpg (110k) 2001 Historic Station Tour charter train car 2479 has boarded its passengers and it ready to head to its next destination on November 4, 2001. The platforms at the closed Racine station, though looking a bit rough with peeling paint and little cleaning, are actually in fairly good shape. There is a small bit rust-jacking on some of the canopy columns, however. (Photo by Graham Garfield)
	tour01@Racine-63rd07.jpg (33k) 2001 Historic Station Tour guide Graham Garfield describes the architecture and history of the closed Racine station on November 4, 2001. (Photo by Frank Hashimoto)