This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
Electric streetcars tied towns in early regional transit
From 1891 to the 1930s electric railways linked farm towns to depots, hospitals, and industry across northern Illinois. Kankakee, Joliet, Harvey, and Chicago Heights built lines that connected into interurban networks, enabling cheaper travel and local service before widespread car use. Dr. McClellan of Governors State University notes the region’s trolley history and invites comments via The Star in Chicago Heights.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Kankakee
Illinois
Chicago
Chicago Heights
Harvey and Joliet
Kankakee State Hospital
Uuinows Eastern Hospital For the Insane
North Kankakee
Illinois Central
Marshfield
56Th Street
Broadway
47Th Street
Tric
Chicago Heights Street Railway
16Th
Joliet
Lockwort
Rockdale
Chicago and Joliet
Archer
Cicero
Starved Rock State Park
Illinois River Valley
Aurora
Chicago and Southern Traction Company
Blue Island
Harvey
Crete
T Hey
Dr. McClellan
South Metropolitan
Governors State University
Star
Otto Blvd