TOP 10 Detailed tours of historic railroads in Illinois

The Chicago & Northwestern Powerhouse is a historic landmark located at 217 North Clinton Street in Chicago, Illinois. Originally serving the 1911 Chicago & Northwestern Terminal, this Beaux Arts style building designed by Frost & Granger features elements of Italian Renaissance Revival architecture. The power house, with its cream brick exterior and terra cotta trim, includes a 227-foot brick smokestack at the corner of Clinton and Milwaukee. The building, which once powered a city of 15,000 people, ceased operations in the 1960s but survived the demolition of the terminal in 1984. Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated as a Chicago Landmark, the power house has been redeveloped into a mixed-use office and retail space, winning awards for its adaptive reuse. Visitors can admire this architectural gem and learn about its significance in Chicago's transportation history.

The St. Charles Air Line Bridge is a historic Strauss Trunnion bascule bridge located at 1500 South Lumber Street in Chicago, Illinois. Originally built in 1919 as part of the St. Charles Air Line Railroad, this bridge spans the Chicago River and was constructed by the American Bridge Company. At the time of its completion, it held the world record for the longest bascule-type span. Designed by Leonard O. Hopkins, the bridge was later shortened to 220 feet in 1930 during a relocation project to straighten the river channel. This iconic structure is an important piece of Chicago's architectural history and a must-see for visitors interested in engineering marvels.