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Eras

1950s

331 photographs

A green and cream city bus with the number 1806 and route 84 on its sign drives down a paved street on a sunny winter day, with parked and moving cars and bare trees lining the road.

A Chicago Transit Authority Flxible New Look bus, number 1806, heads down a street on route 84 Ridge-Broadway, with vintage cars and bare trees in the background. April 21, 1957

An old, light-colored wooden interurban car with many windows travels on elevated tracks alongside buildings and trees under an overcast sky.

A Chicago North Shore and Milwaukee Master Unit interurban car, lettered with an 'A' for the Skokie Valley route, travels on an elevated structure on a summer day in the 1950s. June 1957 · Diversey, Chicago, IL

A green and cream streetcar signed 22 81-HALSTED comes up a downtown street under bright neon signs for Borden's Milk, the Blue Note and Wimpy, while a traffic officer directs a crowd of pedestrians.

Chicago Transit Authority streetcar 7194 on Route 22 to 81st-Halsted on Clark Street in downtown Chicago, likely at Madison Street. August 2, 1957 · Clark and Madison, Chicago, IL

A vintage brown and cream Chicago transit train runs on an elevated track above a street lined with classic 1950s cars and a lone pedestrian.

A Chicago Transit Authority 4000-series rapid transit car crosses an elevated structure over a parking lot filled with 1950s automobiles. September 3, 1957 · Stock Yards, Chicago, IL

A green and cream streetcar on a cobbled street under trolley wires. A truck and a bus follow it, a gray diesel passenger train runs on an embankment behind parked 1950s cars, and brick warehouses stand at right.

A Chicago Transit Authority PCC streetcar crosses a cobblestone intersection near Archer Avenue, Chicago, as a New York Central passenger train passes behind. October 8, 1957 · Chicago, IL

Two vintage white and dark-striped buses with large windows, one showing the number 1756, on a paved street with trees and a blurred moving car in the background.

Two Chicago Transit Authority Flxible New Look buses, including number 1756, are seen on a tree-lined street in the 1960s. 1958 · Caldwell

Two vintage city buses, one with the number 1756 on its front, are stopped on a tree-lined street with a telephone booth nearby.

Two Chicago Transit Authority buses, including 1756, are stopped at an intersection on a summer day in the late 1950s or 1960s. 1958 · Caldwell

A row of three orange and grey interurban cars, numbers 452, 455, and 456, belonging to the Chicago Aurora and Elgin Railroad, sit on tracks in a grassy yard under a cloudy sky.

Three Chicago Aurora and Elgin Master Unit interurban cars, numbers 452, 455, and 456, parked in a yard under an overcast sky. 1958 · Wheaton, IL

A yellow streetcar with an S route sign and the number 1428 on its dash crosses a railroad track at a street intersection under overhead wires, with a Texaco station and 1950s cars behind it.

Streetcar 1428 on route S crosses a railroad at grade, likely at Avalon Boulevard and Slauson Avenue in Los Angeles, in the mid-1950s. 1958 · Avalon and Slauson Ave, Los Angeles, CA

A white streetcar with a red and blue stripe, signed 23 Chestnut Hill, rounds a corner on a street of brick rowhouses under overhead wires, with cars parked along the curbs.

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority streetcar 2158 on Route 23 to Chestnut Hill, likely at 16th & Bigler, 1958. 1958 · 16th and Bigler, Philadelphia, PA

A yellow and green streetcar showing route S and the number 1424 travels on street tracks under trolley wire past a gas station, palm trees and long lines of utility poles on an overcast day.

Los Angeles Transit Lines streetcar 1424 on the S line runs along a wide avenue in Los Angeles, likely at Central Avenue and 160th Street. 1958 · Central and 160th St., Los Angeles, CA

A yellow and green streetcar numbered 1400, with route 5 on its roof sign, stands on a street under trolley wires. A yellow bus with a white roof is parked beside a two-story drugstore building with Coca-Cola and Rexall signs, and hills rise behind.

Los Angeles Transit Lines streetcar 1400 on Line 5 passes an old-look bus in front of Eagle Rock Drugs in Eagle Rock, Los Angeles. 1958 · 1400 Eagle Rock Blvd

A red and grey interurban car with the number 450 is parked on tracks in front of a brick building that reads 'Chicago North Shore and Milwaukee'.

Chicago North Shore and Milwaukee Master Unit #450 is pictured in a yard. 1958 · Highwood, IL

An orange and silver electric train with a pantograph on its roof travels on a two-track line surrounded by grass and utility poles under an overcast sky.

A South Shore Line Master Unit electric train in its classic orange and silver livery travels along a private right-of-way in Skokie, Illinois, circa 1950-1965. 1958 · Near East Prairie Road, Skokie, IL

A black and white photo of a Chicago Transit Authority bus, number 1353, with a 'Shuttle Service' sign, driving down a city street lined with 1950s cars and tall buildings in the background.

A Chicago Transit Authority New Look bus, number 1353, operates a shuttle service on a downtown street in the mid-1950s, with the Chicago skyline in the background. 1958

A black and white photograph shows a Chicago Transit Authority bus at a busy street corner with Walgreens and Woolworth's stores, and a billboard advertising a 1962 Pontiac Tempest.

A Chicago Transit Authority New Look bus, number 1346, is seen on a street corner with a Walgreens and a Woolworth's store in the background, under a billboard for a 1962 Pontiac Tempest. 1958 · 59th and Pulaski, Chicago, IL

A single-unit, streamlined railcar with a teal, orange, and silver paint scheme is shown on railroad tracks next to a snow-covered embankment and bare trees in the winter.

A Chicago South Shore and South Bend Railroad Budd-built doodlebug in its distinctive teal and orange livery travels along a private right-of-way in winter. 1958

A vintage Chicago Transit Authority bus, number 6571, is parked under a brick archway, displaying route 62 Archer-Harlem on its front sign and advertisements for Drewry's and Blatz beer on its bumper and side.

A Chicago Transit Authority New Look bus, number 6571, is shown parked under a brick underpass with its route sign reading 62 Archer-Harlem. March 1958 · Archer and Pershing, Chicago, IL

A red interurban car with round front windows runs on street track past a palm tree and tall white buildings, with 1950s cars in the traffic behind it.

Interurban car 1541, likely Pacific Electric, signed LONG BEACH LIMITED in street running past palm trees, the Roxy theater and the Hotel Schuyler, likely in downtown Long Beach, California. March 9, 1958 · Downtown, Long Beach, CA

A vintage red interurban streetcar with the number 1541 and 'LONG BEACH LIMITED' written on its front travels down a city street lined with palm trees and 1950s cars.

A red Pacific Electric Master Unit interurban car, number 1541, named 'LONG BEACH LIMITED', runs on a city street in Long Beach, California, in the 1950s. March 9, 1958 · Long Beach, CA

A dark blue and cream CTA bus, number 2704, with a Vincennes-78 route sign and Drewry's Beer advertisement on the front, parked on a paved lot with a building in the background.

A CTA Flxible New Look bus, number 2704, on the Vincennes-78 route, parked on a street in Chicago. May 1958 · 77th and Vincennes, Chicago, IL

A green and yellow double-ended streetcar numbered 1423, showing S on its roof sign, curves through a street intersection under a web of overhead wires, with Richfield gas stations and brick apartment buildings behind it.

Streetcar 1423 on route S rounds a curve past two Richfield gas stations, likely at Vermont Avenue in Los Angeles. August 1958 · S Line and Vermont, Los Angeles, CA

A green and cream streetcar with the number 1423 is stopped at a street intersection on a sunny day, with a Richfield gas station and a building labeled 'BARNE' APTS.' in the background.

A Chicago Surface Lines Master Unit streetcar, number 1423, on route 5 at a Richfield gas station on a sunny day. August 1958 · 7th and Vermont

A green and cream Chicago Transit Authority bus, number 3557, on a city street with tall buildings in the background.

A Chicago Transit Authority New Look bus, number 3557, on route 60 26-Kenton, navigating a city street. October 1958 · Adams J Canal

A vintage orange and cream streetcar, numbered 531, runs down a city street under an elevated railway, with 1940s cars in the background.

A Chicago Surface Lines Master Unit streetcar, number 531, on the 'JU CENTRAL' route near the North Western Station in the 1940s. October 17, 1958 · Clinton and Lake, Chicago, IL

A three-quarter front view of a dark green and white CTA motor bus with number 1787 on its side and front, showing a '82 KIMBALL-FOSTER' destination sign and vintage advertisements on its bumper and side.

CTA New Look bus number 1787, assigned to route 82 Kimball-Foster, is parked on a winter street. c. 1959 to 1964

A silver and green Chicago Transit Authority bus, number 8562, is shown from a three-quarter front view on a city street, with tall buildings and a cloudy sky behind it.

A Chicago Transit Authority GM New Look bus, number 8562, runs the Wacker Express route on Adams and Canal streets, with the Chicago skyline in the background. c. 1959 to 1964

Front view of a vintage city bus driving on a snow-covered street, with classic cars and bare trees in the background.

A Chicago Transit Authority Flxible New Look bus, number 610, on route 24 during a snowstorm, surrounded by 1950s automobiles. c. 1959 to 1968

A black and white photo of two vintage buses from Drewry's, numbered 9536 and 1713, parked on a street under trolley wires. One shows route 52 to California-Roscoe, the other route 55 to Chicago-Milwaukee.

Two Drewry's Motor Coach Company GM New Look buses, numbers 9536 and 1713, are shown at a street corner in Chicago with overhead wires, likely in the early 1960s. 1959 · Roscoe, CA

A green and orange streamlined electric train, labeled Electroliner and North Shore Line, stands at an elevated station platform with snow on the ground.

An Electroliner train from the Chicago North Shore and Milwaukee, numbered 801, is pictured at a terminal during winter. 1959 · Terminal, Milwaukee, WI

A vintage black and white photo of a Chicago Transit Authority bus, number 1430, on a street in front of a stone church with arched windows and a statue on its steps.

A Chicago Transit Authority GMC New Look bus, number 1430, is captured in motion on a city street in front of a large church building. 1959 · Webster and Sheffield, Chicago, IL

A black and white photo shows a CTA trolleybus with the number 9418 and route 47 to Lake Park, stopped on a street with a trolley pole raised, with another CTA bus nearby and a person boarding.

A Chicago Transit Authority Flxible trolleybus, No. 9418, on route 47 to Lake Park, stands on a street with a CTA motor bus in the background. 1959 · 47th and Archer, Chicago, IL

A vintage black-and-white photo shows a CTA motor bus, number 1792, on route 82 to Logan Square, parked on a street with a person waiting nearby.

A Chicago Transit Authority Flxible New Look bus, number 1792, on route 82 to Logan Square, captured on a sunny day at Devon and Kedzie. 1959 · Devon and Kedzie, Chicago, IL

A green and cream Chicago Transit Authority trolleybus marked with route 36 and fleet number 9417 moves down a sunlit street lined with 1950s cars and pedestrians, with storefronts for Hyde Park Bible Church and Florsheim visible on either side.

A Chicago Transit Authority trolleybus, number 9417, travels down a busy street at 51st and Calumet in Chicago during the 1950s. June 1959 · 51st and Calumet, Chicago, IL

A green and cream trolleybus with the number 9417 is driving down a wide city street lined with 1950s cars and pedestrians on the sidewalks.

A Chicago Transit Authority trolleybus, number 9417, travels down a bustling city street in the 1950s. June 1959 · 51 St and Calumet, Chicago, IL

A green and cream trolleybus with the number 9417 and destination sign reading '51 ST-LOUIS' travels down a city street lined with 1950s cars and pedestrians, with storefronts including 'Hyde Park Bible Church' and 'Florsheim' visible.

A Chicago Transit Authority trolleybus, number 9417, runs on a busy 51st Street in the 1950s, surrounded by period automobiles and pedestrians. June 1959 · 51st, Chicago, IL

Two steam locomotives, one large and black with the number 6032 and one small and black with the number 35, are on parallel tracks in a railroad yard with a white passenger car and a water tower in the background.

A Chicago, Burlington and Quincy 4-8-4 O-5B locomotive, number 6032, is pictured in a yard with a smaller 2-6-0 locomotive, number 35, and passenger cars. June 13, 1959 · Creston, IA

Four green and cream streamlined streetcars without their trucks, two lying on their sides and two upright, in a yard full of scrap metal, with a crane and a wooden shed behind them under an overcast sky.

Stripped Chicago Transit Authority PCC streetcars awaiting scrapping, likely at 69th and Cicero in Chicago. June 21, 1959 · 69th and Cicero, Chicago, IL

A green and cream streetcar signed 22 Clark-Howard runs along a street under a rust-colored steel elevated structure, with a train of light-colored double-deck commuter coaches on top and parked cars and storefronts beyond.

Chicago Transit Authority streetcar 7175 on route 22 Clark-Howard passes under an elevated railroad structure while bi-level commuter coaches cross overhead, likely at Clark and Roscoe in Chicago, in the mid-1950s. July 1, 1959 · Clark and Roscoe, Chicago, IL

Three green and cream PCC streetcars, numbered 7218, 4378, and 2218, are parked nose-to-nose in a yard under an overcast sky, with overhead wires visible above.

Three Chicago Transit Authority PCC streetcars, numbered 7218, 4378, and 2218, are parked side by side in a yard, showcasing the fleet's prewar and postwar models. August 1959 · 77th and Vincennes, Chicago, IL

A row of yellow interurban railroad cars with black diagonal stripes on the front, parked on tracks in a yard under a clear blue sky.

A three-car consist of yellow Chicago North Shore and Milwaukee interurban cars, likely built by Niles, sits in a rail yard. October 1959

A vintage Chicago Transit Authority bus numbered 72 is driving on a city street, surrounded by 1960s-era cars and a large stone building in the background.

A Chicago Transit Authority New Look bus numbered 72 is shown in street traffic at the corner of Monroe and Michigan in downtown Chicago. December 1959 · Monroe and Michigan, Chicago, IL

A green and cream motor bus, number 571, drives down a city street with snow on the sidewalks and classic cars parked in the background.

A Chicago Transit Authority Flxible New Look bus, number 571, is captured on a city street in winter. December 1959 · Michigan and Harrison, Chicago, IL