To the editors:
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The dispute over the future of the strip of land running from Montrose to Irving Park between Graceland Cemetery and the Howard “L” [Neighborhood News, September 1] is made more interesting by a recounting of its history. The strip was never a road, at least in any dedicated sense. Rather, it was a railroad right of way. It was built by the Milwaukee Road as part of a branch line from the Loop to Wilmette. The line north of Montrose to Linden Avenue, Wilmette was rented in 1907 to a predecessor of the CTA. It was electrified and became part of the rapid transit network.
North of Irving Park the CTA took over. Trolley wire was strung over the track so that CTA locomotives could haul the freight cars onto the “L” embankment north of Wilson Avenue. A ramp south of Wilson Avenue provided a physical connection between the ground level tracks and the elevated structure. Part of that ramp, as observant riders on the Howard line will notice, still exists just south of the Wilson Avenue station.
