Chicago & West Ridge Railroad

Chicago & West Ridge Railroad Soundex Code C220

This railroad ran along what became the North Shore Channel from the Weber Yard just north of Oakton Street in Evanston. It served primarily three brickyards south of Oakton, two Illinois Brick Company and one National Brick Company; plus some flower nurseries.

The Chicago & West Ridge Railroad was owned by Barney F. Weber. The tracks extended from Oakton Street to Peterson Avenue.

With the demise of the brick yards came the demise of the railroad. Only a few feet of rail can still be seen at approximately Kedzie Avenue and Jarvis Avenue.

Annual report of the Railroad and Warehouse Commission of the State of Illinois (1893)

https://archive.org/details/annualreportofra1893illi

Chicago and West Ridge Railroad Company.

From a point on the line of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway at or near Weber Junction, Cook County, to a point at or near the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and Peterson Avenue in the city of Chicago.

Offices, Chicago. Capital stock. $25,000.

Directors: Barney F. Weber, T. Sutton, B.W. May, H.P. Kranz, W.H. Alsip, and P. Reidberg.

Opinions and Orders of the Illinois Commerce Commission, Volume 1, 1922, page 32

The Chicago & West Ridge Railroad is organized as a corporation under the laws of the State of Illinois and has never been taxed in this state as other railroads are taxed. Shippers desiring to use the tracks of the Chicago & West Ridge Railroad may only use such tracks by securing special permission from Mr. Barney F. Weber, president of the company, and it appears that the said railroad company has reserved to itself the right to determine who may enjoy the use of said tracks.

...the Chicago & West Ridge Railroad is not a common carrier under the provisions of and act entitled, "An Act Concerning Public Utilities," and is, therefore, not subject to the jurisdiction of the Illinois Commerce Commission.

Filed March 21, 1893.