A 21-mile recreation and nature trail in northeastern Illinois
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The J&ST, AP&JRR logotypes, color schemes, and maps, on this page, are modern day re-creations based
on historical information.
The Joliet & Southern Traction Company (J&ST) line ran parallel to the Michigan Central Rail Road from Chicago Heights to Joliet. The trolley or interurban shared the right of way with the railroad for much of the length of the Old Plank Road Trail.
The J&ST was a sister company to the Aurora, Plainfield & Joliet Railroad Company (AP&JRR). The AP&JRR entered Joliet from the west and connected to the J&ST in Joliet. J&ST tracks crossed the Michigan Central R.R. (now the OPRT) tracks in two locations. In downtown Matteson, the interurban built a bridge that crossed the Michigan Central and Illinois Central tracks at the same time.
The picture above is of a J&ST car on the Matteson or Summit bridge. In Joliet, the J&S shared its station facilities with the Chicago, Ottawa & Peoria interurban. The map below shows the station stops along the lines of the two interurban lines.
Black and white photographs on this page
are from
the collection of
the Matteson Historical Society
Here's another picture of the bridge in Matteson over the IC and MC railroad tracks.
The J&ST rails ran parallel to the Michigan Central R.R. (OPRT) tracks from Chicago Heights to Summit, west of Frankfort. At Summit the interurban used a "fly-over" bridge to go to the north side of the trail. The concrete abutments for that "fly-over" bridge are about the only thing left from the interurban era. These abutments probably supported a light weight steel truss bridge similar to the one in the picture above.
216th Street in Matteson, 1915 and 2005
The picture above and the one below are almost identical pictures--taken 90 years apart from the same position. The picture above is looking west down 216th street at the intersection of Main Street in old Matteson, Illinois. The picture below is taken from the same position and looks in the same direction--only it was shot 90 years earlier. Most of the buildings on the left and right are the same in both pictures.
Main Street in Madison, 1915 & 2005
Here's another pair of pictures. This time we're looking north on Main Street from the corner of 216th street. Once again many of the buildings are still standing--with a few alterations.
The picture below was taken from almost the same position as the one above. Notice the electric trolley wire near the top of the picture and the railroad tracks going across the street in front of the automobiles.
Visit the Trolley Barn in Frankfort
If you'd like to learn more about the Joliet & Southern Traction Company visit the Trolley Barn Shops in Frankfort, Illinois. It's located a block south of the Old Plank Road Trail on White Street.
Inside you'll find photographs, murals, maps, news articles and other information on the interurbans and trolleys that ran through Frankfort at the beginning of the 20th century. You can enjoy an ice cream cone, fresh coffee, or lunch while viewing the historic pictures and memorablia.
To whet your interest, one of the photographs in the Trolley Barn collection is reproduced below.
Click here to return to the history pages
Other related companies
More pictures of interurban cars and trolleys are available on Dave's Electric Railroad web site. Click anyone of the following names to proceed to that web site:
Joliet, Plainfield & Aurora
Railroad Co.
Joliet & Southern Traction Co.
Joliet & Eastern Traction Co.
Aurora, Plainfield & Joliet Railway
Aurora, Plainfield & Joliet Railroad Co.
Additional information about these companies is available on the Shore Line Interurban Historical Society web site. Click here.
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