The origination of both the University and the elevated railway system that became the Chicago Transit Authority, pretty much coincided one another.  The ‘EL’ (as we like to call it), opened in 1897, and DePaul followed in 1898.  And even though the CTA was not formally created until 1945, still DePaul and the CTA have grown up alongside each other these many years.  Arguably it could be said, that DePaul’s growth in the latter part of the 20thcentury and early 21stcentury, could not be done without an efficient and effective CTA.  

    This illustration, which in large part is from the creation of the Lake St. ‘EL’ from the mid 1890’s, is demonstrative of that growth. There are plenty of DePaul yearbook pictures (from back in the day) that feature students using one or the other facility of the CTA. Even the restoration of our Fullerton station and these very pillars (in 2008-9) say even more to this growth as well. DePaul thanks the CTA for helping us make ‘Chicago our Classroom’.