The Chicago Traction Wars was a political conflict which took place in Chicago primarily from the mid-1890s through the early 1910s. It concerned the franchise and ownership of streetcar lines. At the
Caricature from 1899 showing Chicago mayor Carter Harrison, Jr. fighting against the "Allen bill"
Cover of the April 25, 1905 edition of Puck, portraying newly-inaugurated mayor Dunne as dispossessing traction interests of their franchises
The Chicago Surface Lines was the operator of the street railway system of Chicago, Illinois, from 1913 to 1947. The firm is a predecessor of today's publicly owned operator, the Chicago Transit Autho
Chicago Traction Wars
…of 1913 was passed by the Chicago City Council on November 13, 1913. It combined management and operations of all Chicago streetcar companies as the Chicago Surface Lines (C.S.L.). It took effect in 1914. Companies such as the Chicago City Railway became "paper companies", continuing to own equipment, but with their…
Chicago Surface Lines car 3142 at the Illinois Railway Museum
Kenosha #4606 in "Green Hornet" livery.
Ex-Philadelphia #1058 like heritage streetcar in San Francisco with Chicago Transit Authority's 1950s green and cream livery.