Bloomingdale Trail - Chicago, IL
Posted by: 
Go Boilers!
N 41° 54.876 W 087° 40.123
16T E 444544 N 4640510
This a multi-use linear park that is the first of its kind in Chicago.
Waymark Code: WMP3PG
Location: Illinois, United States
Date Posted: 06/25/2015
Views: 2
The trail runs along an unused, elevated rail line along Bloomingdale Avenue. It stretches 2.7 miles through four Chicago neighborhoods.
Background:
In 1893, the City Council passed an ordinance mandating that railroads elevate their tracks within six years. The Bloomingdale Line, operated by the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Company, was one of the last to conform to the new ordinance, beginning work in 1910 and completing in 1913. Rail service continued uninterrupted throughout construction.
The embankments created by elevating the line are essentially enormous concrete bathtubs filled with soil, stones, and other drainage material – similar to French drains. Seven feet thick at the base, the walls have proved sturdy for 100 years, and form a firm foundation for the Bloomingdale Trail.
For nearly a century, the rail line served a small manufacturing district across the city’s Northwest side, including bicycle, furniture, confection, and instrument makers. Trains rolled overhead until the 1980s when activity slowed to a trickle. By the mid-1990s, the few trains that used the corridor were re-routed, and freight service ceased completely.
Country: USA
State/Province/etc.: IL
Trail Start (town): Chicago
Trail Finish (town): Chicago
Trail Length: 2
Trail Surface: Paved
Pack Animals Allowed: no
Fees: no
Rail-to-Trail Sign:
The trail is brand new, no such signs are posted yet.
Internet Link(s):
http://www.bloomingdaletrail.org/
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Visit Instructions:
A Trail Review
Please tell about the trail conditions the day you were there, If you used the trail please share your experiences. Things to see and do, possible problems etc.
If possible please post a photo of you OR you and interesting things along a trail OR just interesting things along the trail.
Also if you know of any additional Internet links not already mentioned about this rail trail please include that in your log.
Recent Visits/Logs:
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