John Baptiste Point du Sable was the first non-native resident in
the area which is now Chicago. He built his cabin on the north bank
of the Chicago River.
On June 6, 1892, service on the first section of Chicagos
elevated line began. It was a three and a half mile stretch of track.
In 1892, Chicagos streets were a mass of carts, wagons, and
streetcars. Traveling for even a few blocks was a terrible
experience. An idea to lift people above the crowd by a railroad
supported on a forest of steel stilts was born. Later on came more
train tracks like the el and the loop.