North Lawndale residents and visitors can now explore the legacy of America’s iconic highway without leaving the neighborhood. The CTA’s Central Park Pink Line station at 1915 S. Central Park Ave. has been transformed into a pop‑up museum titled “Route 66 @ 100 in North Lawndale.” The exhibit, which opened after a ribbon‑cutting ceremony earlier this week, runs Wednesdays‑Fridays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. through Nov. 28.
Connecting Past and Present
“I want visitors to take away a sense of connection to the neighborhood of North Lawndale, Ogden Avenue and Route 66,” said Jonathan Kelley, founder of the Lawndale Pop‑Up Spot, the local organization that partnered with the CTA on the project. He noted that the station is the first Chicago stop travelers encounter when following the historic route.
The museum occupies the unused retail space facing Ogden Avenue and features a series of informational posters that trace the evolution of the corridor. An exhibit panel explains that Ogden Avenue has served as a transportation link since pre‑colonial times and was a plank road to Naperville in the 1800s. When Route 66 was designated in 1926, the avenue became a vital hub for automotive culture on the city’s West Side until the construction of interstates I‑55 and I‑290 redirected traffic.
Mid‑Century Memories
Inside, visitors step into a recreated 1950s diner, test their skills on a Route 66‑themed pinball machine, and listen to a replica Victrola playing classic soul hits such as Nat King Cole’s “Route 66.” Historic photographs showcase North Lawndale’s neighborhoods during the highway’s heyday, while a display of the Chicago History Museum’s “Westside Love Map” highlights community‑drawn landmarks in Austin, North Lawndale and Garfield Park.
During the route’s peak from the 1930s to the 1970s, North Lawndale was a predominantly Jewish community, according to Choose Chicago. By the 1960s and 70s, the neighborhood had become majority African American, reflecting broader demographic shifts in the city.
Local Landmarks Along the Way
Two historic stops that once served travelers are highlighted: Castle Car Wash, whose turret‑like structure still stands at 3801 W. Ogden Ave., and Ben Geller Chevrolet, a former dealership whose neon sign was a familiar sight for motorists.
Transit Today and Tomorrow
The exhibit also looks forward, emphasizing the role of the Pink Line, inaugurated in 2006 as the newest CTA L line. “Our stations are part of the fabric of communities, and we want the stations to be welcoming spaces where people see their culture, their history reflected in the transit system they use every day,” said Brian Daly, CTA’s senior manager for transit‑supportive development.
Visitors can pick up a limited‑edition Route 66 CTA Ventra card, and the pop‑up will host live music and art events throughout its run. More information is available on the Lawndale Pop‑Up Spot’s website.
Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.
