Map of Chicago Surface Lines Showing Routes Serving Century of Progress Exposition and Points of Interest in the City

The Chicago Surface Lines during the second year of the Century of Progress Exposition.

“Streetcars EVERYWHERE in Chicago. With its terminals serving the principal gates, the Chicago Surface Lines provides the most convenient transportation to the Exposition. Every part of the city is easily reached by street car over a system of tracks which covers the metropolis like a gridiron.” [Back cover].

This map highlights that very gridiron of the Chicago Surface Line streetcar system, with an inset showing coverage of the Loop. Bus lines are also shown, along with the lines of the western suburbs. Additional pages provide information and photographs on local attractions, an outline of the Century of Progress fairgrounds, and route details for each line.

A predecessor organization to the Chicago Transit Authority, the Chicago Surface Lines operated the street railway system in Chicago dating back to 1914. The 1933 World’s Fair and WWII boosted ridership, but eventually, the company filed for bankruptcy and was taken over by the CTA in 1947. At the time of incorporation, Chicago had the largest street railway system in the world.