Stepping onto the platform of Fairview Avenue Metra Station, a feeling of history washes over you. This small station, a quaint colonial barn-type structure, has been a crucial part of Downers Grove’s life for over a century. Built in 1916, the station replaced an earlier, less impressive structure, standing as a testament to a time when the railroad was considered the lifeblood of the community. The station was meant to embody the rural image of a suburban community. With its high gabled roof, modest canopy, and masonry construction, the station was designed to appear more like a cottage than a train station. The station’s importance didn’t escape the Downers Grove community even during a severe snowstorm in 1918. The entire town was shut down, with deliveries of coal, milk, and mail halted. Every able-bodied resident was pressed into service to clear the railroad and allow the town to be resupplied. Over the years, a small commercial area has developed around the station, creating a second downtown for Downers Grove. Today, Fairview Avenue Metra Station continues to serve as a vital part of the community. It’s more than just a place to catch a train; it’s a reminder of the past and a gateway to the future, a symbol of the spirit of Downers Grove.
Congregation Or Torah
Rabbi Zvi Engel’s leadership guides Congregation Or Torah. This impressive Modern Orthodox Synagogue stands proudly in Skokie Illinois. It’s one