Early Development of Morgan Park

After the Civil War, interest in developing the area around the Blue Island Ridge grew. The heirs of Thomas Morgan, an early settler, sold off portions of their holdings to the Blue Island Land and Building Company. This group sought to establish an upper class suburban community in what is now known as Morgan Park. They subdivided lots, platted streets and began to petition the Rock Island Railroad to build a branch line to enhance the accessibility of the area. This was not a difficult task, as a number of Rock Island officials sat on the board of the Development Company. In 1869 the Washington Heights Branch Railway was completed from the Main Line at 97th Street down 99th to just below the Ridge, and south to reconnect with the Main at Blue Island. Stops were made at Dummy Junction (97th), Prospect Avenue, Walden (99th), Tracy (103rd), Belmont (107th), and Morgan Park. (Morgan Ave./112th).

Morgan Park became an educational center by attracting theological seminaries and exclusive schools. The developers boasted that alcohol was banned and that its residents were able to "go upon the street, and walk upon our beautiful greens without the fear of insult or dread of meeting intoxicated persons."

The early stations were small, humble affairs known as "sheds". These small structures provided the minimum of shelter for waiting passengers and kept the cost to the Rock Island at a minimum. The largest of these was Morgan Park, at what was then known as Morgan Avenue (111th Street/Monterey). Land and construction funds were donated by the land company and residents received free train service for three years as a condition of the subsidy. The depot was the center for the business, church and social life in early Morgan Park. The first public school was held here and the Baptists used the depot as a church. An early illustration of the station seems to draw heavily on the artist's imagination. No known photographs of this building exist.

In 1885 developer Frank Brainard began to subdivide the area between 87th, 91st, Racine and Ashland. In 1890 he promised to donate land to the Rock Island for construction of a station at Loomis and 89th Streets if the railroad extended its branch line north to connect with the main line at Gresham. The northern extension of the line was completed in 1890, opening up the area now known as Beverly Hills for development. New stations were added at Loomis (Gresham), Ashland Ave., Beverly Hills (91st Street) and Longwood (95th Street) to the north of the original route. A new station was also added at Raymond (115th Street). The Rock Island also replaced the old shed stations with more elaborate depots that enhanced the suburban atmosphere of these residential enclaves.

Each station possessed its own distinct architectural flavor, which can best be summed up as a style called "suburban depot". Many railroads provided commuter service in urban areas around the United States, and numerous depots of this type were built to accommodate their clientele. They provided for a ticket office and waiting room, and often had living accommodations for the station agent. The construction of many of these stations was subsidized by the donations of residents and businesses in the areas served. Value was found not only in providing comfort for those awaiting the train, but they also presented an elegant point of entry and announced the relative wealth of their communities.