Chicago Transit History__Story

The first elevated rapid transit system in Chicago began just before the turn of the 20th century. It expanded rapidly especially when under the control of Chicago Edison's president, Samuel Insull, as the train system played the largest role in electricity consumption.

In 1943, the first underground subway in Chicago opened and was intended additionally to be a bomb shelter. Five years later, the Chicago Transit Authority took control of, modernized and consolidated the mass transit systems.