History of the 111th Street Station

The new Morgan Park station was designed by architect John T. Long, known for his churches and public buildings in Englewood and Normal Park. The building, completed in 1892, consists of a large waiting room entered via massive Romanesque doorways on the west and east sides of the building. A large Romanesque fireplace dominates the inside of the waiting room. The second and third floors contained living quarters for the stationmaster. Long sheds stretched to the north and south of the main structure. The architect's plans originally called for the frame building to be faced with brick up to the windowsills of the first floor. Residents contributed $2,700 of the $5,200 construction cost of the depot. The west side of the building faces Bohn Park, and the overall impression today continues to be one of a small-town depot.

In 1909 a tornado (or "cyclone" as it was called at the time) did extensive damage to the station and the surrounding community. The repairs to the station included a new chimney and shortened sheds.