Linden Avenue Terminal
Also known as: CTA Station,4th and Linden
Why it's listed
At the corner of 4th Street and Linden Avenue in southeast Wilmette, a small stucco and wood-trimmed terminal has served rapid transit riders since 1913. Built for the Northwestern Elevated Railroad, probably by its own staff, it began as a rectangle of about 15 by 33 feet. Two additions of the early 1920s gave it a cross plan. Its gently pitched roof with eaves projecting over five feet, banks of tall narrow windows and heavy Italianate brackets reflect the Prairie School style. The building was listed because it records the extension of the elevated line into Wilmette and the through-routing plans of Samuel Insull, and because Prairie School design is rarely seen in a public transit building. It is the only station of the three lines that served Wilmette still on its original site and in its original use. Alterations include a covered sign, painted windows and replaced roofing.
Significance in brief: The station is cited as evidence of the growth of rapid transit in Chicago and its suburbs and of Wilmette's ties to the city. It is also described as a unique use of the Prairie School style for a public, non-residential building. It is the only one of Wilmette's stations on the three lines that remains in its original location and use.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 84001002, listed February 8, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 330 Linden Ave., Wilmette |
|---|---|
| County | Cook County |
| Listed | February 8, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84001002 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1913 (August-November 1913 given as specific dates; period checked as 1900-) |
| Architect / builder | Unknown, presumably staff of the Northwestern Elevated Railroad Co. |
| Architectural style | Prairie School |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Transportation, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied and in use as a transit station with waiting room, ticket booth and news and candy stand; altered, with some windows painted or boarded over, but described as in good condition on an original site. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.07358, -87.69175 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 84001002.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q115898916
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.