Ardmore Avenue Train Station
The former Ardmore Avenue CA&E station.
Ardmore Avenue station (Illinois) is located in Chicago metropolitan area
Ardmore Avenue station (Illinois)
Ardmore Avenue station (Illinois) is located in Illinois
Ardmore Avenue station (Illinois)
Ardmore Avenue station (Illinois) is located in the United States
Ardmore Avenue station (Illinois)
Location10 West Park Avenue
Villa Park, Illinois
Coordinates41°53′0″N 87°58′46.5″W / 41.88333°N 87.979583°W / 41.88333; -87.979583
Arealess than one acre
Built1910 (1910)
ArchitectBallard & Pottinger
NRHP reference No.80004525[1]
Added to NRHPNovember 21, 1980

Ardmore Avenue station is (along with Villa Avenue station) one of two former Chicago Aurora and Elgin Railroad (CA&E) stations in Villa Park, Illinois. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 as Ardmore Avenue Train Station.

History

The station is a stone-faced structure built in 1910 by the Ballard & Pottinger real estate firm. The station was erected to draw passengers to property that the firm was developing. The plan was successful, and enough people moved into the station vicinity to prompt incorporation as Villa Park in 1917. The station catered to passengers until July 3, 1957, when the CA&E abruptly shut down after years of financial losses. The Ardmore Avenue station is one of very few of what was once seventy-three railroad stations that served the CA&E. On November 21, 1980, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, the station is the headquarters of the Villa Park Chamber of Commerce. The building now lies along the Illinois Prairie Path, a recreational path built along the former CA&E right-of-way.[2]

Architecture

The one story structure is built in an English motif and served mostly as a waiting shelter. Doors and windows are made of wood with steel lintels. The tile roof has galvanized iron gutters and a brick chimney. The building features a wood cornice. The station could be heated by a wood-burning fireplace and had electric lighting. Windows are found on all sides and two doors are on the north, leading to the platform. The interior was originally furnished with wood benches and flip-top seats.[2]

References

  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. 1 2 Illinois Historic Preservation Agency
Preceding station Chicago Aurora and Elgin Railroad Following station
Westmore
toward Wheaton
Main Line Villa Avenue
toward Chicago
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