Here is a rare view (click for larger image) of the interior of the Wilson L station from the 1920's looking northwest from the current-day Popeye's entrance. You can see the current staircase off in the distance. Also notice the American flags draped in the windows on the Broadway side. This may have been taken around the 4th of July.(photo courtesy Krambles-Peterson Archive)
Simply Stunning. No litter! What a shame it doesn't look like that anymore.
ReplyDeletewith a little imagination, this might have been a real public space
ReplyDeleteWow, this was a simply stunning. What happened to the Wilson El station to create the blighted look it now has?
ReplyDeleteThis station used to be the end of the line. I am sure over time they didn't need such a large waiting room. In the 60's I believe it was chopped up and turned into a grocery store, then the 80's brought about Popeye's. Too bad its in such bad shape today.
ReplyDeleteWhy the heck did they chop it up so badly? This current configuration is a disgrace to its architectural history.
ReplyDeleteWe will be posting some more historic photos from the Wilson L that will show how the CTA has destroyed parts of this station we never knew existed. Stay tuned.
ReplyDeleteAmazing picture. Realistically there's no need for a lobby that size anymore, but seems like there should have been a million ways to utilize that building and indoor space that would honor the original architecture and heritage while still getting practical value.
ReplyDeleteWho in the city looked at that beautiful lobby and said, "Yes, a stinken Popeye's Chicken would look just right plopped in the main entrance? Bring in the drywall. "
ReplyDeleteFor a full history of this station read:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.chicago-l.org/stations/wilson.html
Interestingly, in 1922, Northwestern demolished the 13-year old FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT DESIGNED Stohr Arcade Building to locate their new station on the northwest corner of Wilson and Broadway. The following year this station was constructed.
Architect Arthur U. Gerber, designed this Classical Revival building of the Beaux-Arts school, constructed of brick and tile with white terra cotta facing. The design contained what were becoming Gerber trademarks, including laurel-framed cartouches, globed lights, and an overall majestic scale.
The main entrance was on the corner of Wilson and Broadway and was topped with an ornate terra cotta arched parapet and a fascia over the door that read "Uptown Station". There was also a side entrance on Broadway.
The ground-floor interior of the building was a waiting room decorated with terrazzo flooring and art marble wainscoting. In line with the side entrance was a grand staircase with ornate brass handrails that led up to a mezzanine level. In front of the staircase was an agents' booth for both the elevated and the North Shore Line. Amenities in the station included a women's restroom, a smoking lounge, and telephones at street-level and, in the finished sections of the basement, men's restrooms and a large barber shop.
No disrespect to anyone, but I find it slightly humorous when people state with such shock why something isn't the way it use to be anymore. Do you people really think things are static and never changing? Well, for sure one thing is certain, the stench and stank and nastiness are never changing. That's not funny.
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