MWRD: Enclosed Electrical Switchyard along the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal

(Satellite, the building is long gone. The powerhouse now sells the electricity to the grid.)

Because the MWRD built a powerhouse in Lockport, IL, it helped pioneer the transmission and distribution of electrical power. What is now done in an open switchyard, they did in a building. Many of the photos have the 8-track bridges in the background.

MWRD posted
The Sanitary District’s (now MWRD) electrical power station at 31st and Western along the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal in Chicago on August 15, 1925, viewed from the Western Ave Bridge. The area is now home to the Richard J. Daley Park boat launch. 
MWRD posted [same comment]

 

MSRD posted
A view of work on the dock for the MWRD's electrical substation on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, looking northeast with the Western Avenue bridge in the background, on December 9, 1908.

This photo provides a good view of the power lines that came from the Lockport Powerhouse.

MWRD posted on Apr 26, 2023
Construction of a new dock wall at the MWRD's electrical power terminal station property located on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, looking west from Western Avenue with the 8-track railroad bridge visible in the background on October 29, 1923.

MWRD posted two photos with the comment: "Interior and exterior views of the Sanitary District's (now MWRD) electrical power station at 31st and Western near the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal in Chicago on November 2, 1917."

1

2

MWRD posted
A maintenance truck and crew outside of the MWRD electrical power terminal station at Western and 31st in Chicago on June 19, 1922.

1938 Aerial Photo from ILHAP

Dennis DeBruler shared a MWRD posting
Historical photo of the week: The 8-track rail bridge over the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal near Western Ave is seen opened for passage of tanks bound for Dickinson Seed Company on February 27, 1917.
[Note the power lines on the left that terminated at this building, which would have been to the left of the photographer.]

MWRD posted
Repairs to the deck of the Western Avenue Bridge over the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal in Chicago, looking west, on June 10, 1924.
Dennis DeBruler: This photo helps establish the location of the now gone MWRD power station that is in the left background.

MWRD posted on Dec 1, 2022
A maintenance truck and crew outside of the MWRD electrical power terminal station at Western Avenue and 31st Street in Chicago, Illinois, on June 19, 1922.