While containing architectural elements common on the rapid transit system—such as the wooden shelter on the westbound platform—the 25th Avenue station is painted in the CA&E’s red and blue-gray scheme that matches the two-car train berthed at the easbound platform. The station’s gooseneck lamps—seen at the far left and in front of the entrance to the headhouse—are a holdover from when this was an “L” stop on the Westchester service.
Photo by Robert Heinlein
25th Ave
25th Avenue and Maywood Drive, Village of Bellwood
- Address: TBD
- Established: 1902
- “L” Service Inaugurated: October 1, 1926
- “L” Service Withdrawn: December 9, 1951
- Original Line: Aurora, Elgin & Chicago Ry
- Rebuilt: c. 1911
- Previous Names: Madison Street
- Flag stop
- (View location)
History:
Madison Street opened in 1902 as a small, local station serving what-was-then rural Bellwood. The station consisted of two low level platforms located on the east side of 25th Avenue.
In 1925, the Chicago Aurora & Elgin began construction on a new bypass route leaving the main line heading south immediately east of Bellwood Avenue. The line was intended to turn west, pass through what is now Oakbrook, and join the Aurora branch near Weisbrook Road.1 Local service to and from the city of Westchester would be operated over the eastern portion of this route which would be provided by the rapid transit lines. The intermediate stations between Forest Park and Bellwood would also become rapid transit stations.
Although the route had only been constructed to Roosevelt Road, the new rapid transit service to Westchester began October 1, 1926.2 With the inauguration of “L” service to Westchester, CA&E trains ceased stopping at 25th Avenue and the “L” began providing all service to the station.
Between February 1941 and November 1942, the CA&E once again began stopping at 25th Avenue. As with other “L” stations, the CA&E only picked up westbound passengers and only discharged those traveling east.
In October 1947, the newly formed Chicago Transit Authority took over operation of the surface and rapid transit systems in Chicago and began cutting back poor performing services in order to economize. The Westchester branch, which had little population density to support it, was viewed as one of these and on December 9, 1951, CTA discontinued rapid transit service west of Desplaines Avenue, replacing the line with the #17 Westchester bus.3 Concurrent with CTA’s withdrawal of service, the CA&E resumed full service to the station.4 Tickets were sold at the Tower Inn Restaurant, located at 2501 Madison St., and were available for purchase from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday.5 At all other times, a passenger paid his or her fare onboard the train.
On July 3, 1957, passenger service on the CA&E abruptly ended at 12:13 p.m. The station was eventually demolished.