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Pumping Station: One

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Was this once a fire station? Many people ask this about Pumping Station: One. It isn’t a fire station. Pumping Station: One is actually Chicago’s oldest and largest hackerspace. It’s a vibrant hub for creative minds and tech enthusiasts. This unique space has quite a history.

Pumping Station: One started in 2008 with meetings at the Mercury Cafe in West Town. By November 2009, it found its first home on Elston Avenue. The organization really hit its stride in 2009 with the first Power Wheels Racing Series. This event, now known as the Power Racing Series, became a nationwide phenomenon. Hackerspaces all over the US and even abroad participate.

Pumping Station: One is all about community. In 2013, members came together to build a kitchen. They outgrew their space and moved to the current location at 3519 N. Elston Avenue in 2012. Then in 2016, they expanded again, adding a hot metals and woodshop. This expansion wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication of the Pumping Station: One members who volunteered their time and skills. In 2016, their hard work and dedication paid off when Pumping Station: One officially achieved 501(c)(3) non-profit status. It was a goal since the beginning and a testament to the power of community.

Today, Pumping Station: One thrives on the same spirit of collaboration and innovation.

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