Van Buren Street

Cruising down Van Buren Street? Buckle up, because this Chicago roadway has a story to tell. Van Buren Street isn’t just another street. It’s a slice of Chicago history paved right beneath your feet. This street, nestled in the heart of the city, holds a legacy as rich as a deep-dish pizza. Named after President Martin Van Buren, it sits right next to Jackson Boulevard, named for his close pal, Andrew Jackson. Talk about a presidential pair. Van Buren Street is more than just asphalt and streetlights. It’s a vital artery in the city’s circulatory system. The southern leg of the Loop elevated train line runs right above Van Buren Street. This makes it a crucial part of Chicago’s public transit, connecting people and places. Imagine the hustle and bustle of commuters back in 1895 when the Metropolitan West Side Elevated Railroad first laid tracks alongside Van Buren Street. This railway was one of the founding fathers of what we know today as the Chicago “L”. Sadly, these original tracks were torn down in the 1950s to make way for the Congress Superhighway. But from the ashes arose the Congress Line, now running right down the middle of the highway, keeping the spirit of Van Buren’s railway legacy alive. Before the roar of the “L”, Van Buren Street echoed with the clip-clop of horses. A horsecar line served the street until its electrification in 1896, running west from State Street all the way to Kedzie Street. This horsecar line was actually a rival to the Metropolitan elevated train. During the hot summer months, the open-air cars were a popular choice, luring passengers away from the stuffy trains. Now picture this: late night, 1928. You need to get across town. The Van Buren streetcar offered “owl service”, running between 1:03 and 4:42 a.m. Streetcars continued their reign on Van Buren until August 12, 1951, when the familiar rumble finally gave way to the hum of buses. So, next time you find yourself on Van Buren Street, take a moment to appreciate the layers of history beneath your feet. From presidential namesakes to the evolution of public transit, Van Buren Street tells a unique Chicago story.