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Ogden Avenue: Chicago's Historic Artery

A comprehensive exploration of this vital east-west thoroughfare, tracing its evolution from a 19th-century plank road to a modern transportation corridor shaping the Chicago metropolitan landscape.

Discover its History ๐Ÿ“œ View Key Junctions ๐Ÿ”—

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Understanding Ogden Avenue

The Arterial Name

Named in honor of William B. Ogden, Chicago's inaugural mayor, this avenue serves as a significant east-west corridor, deeply integrated into the city's and surrounding region's historical and infrastructural fabric.

Geographical Scope

Stretching approximately 37.5 miles (60.4 km), Ogden Avenue extends from Chicago's West Town neighborhood westward to Montgomery, Illinois. It traverses four distinct counties: Cook, DuPage, Kane, and Kendall.

Transportation Backbone

A crucial component of the regional transportation network, portions of Ogden Avenue are integral to U.S. Route 34. Historically, it also carried other major routes, including U.S. Route 30 and the iconic U.S. Route 66, underscoring its enduring importance.

Historical Trajectory

Foundations as a Plank Road

The avenue's origins trace back to the Southwestern Plank Road, established in 1848. This early infrastructure project was designed to navigate the challenging, swampy terrain between Chicago and Naperville, facilitating early commerce and travel in the developing region.

Evolution as a Major Artery

By the 1920s, Ogden Avenue had transformed into a vital arterial road for automobile traffic. It served as a key segment for U.S. Route 66 and U.S. Route 32 (until 1934), demonstrating its critical role in the burgeoning automotive era and connecting distant locales.

A notable chapter in Ogden Avenue's history is the 1920s plan for a diagonal extension to Lincoln Park. This ambitious project, largely constructed in the 1920s and completed in 1934 with bridges and viaducts, was later abandoned and sold for development. This shift reflects the dynamic nature of urban planning and the evolving needs of the city.

Geographical Footprint

County Traverse

Ogden Avenue's extensive path winds through four distinct counties: Kendall, Kane, DuPage, and Cook. This broad geographical reach highlights its significance as a connector of diverse communities and landscapes within the greater Chicago metropolitan area.

Connecting Communities

The avenue passes through or borders key municipalities, including Montgomery, Aurora, Naperville, Lisle, Downers Grove, Westmont, Brookfield, Lyons, Cicero, and the city of Chicago itself. It functions as a vital link, facilitating movement and commerce between these areas.

Navigating the Network: Key Intersections

Ogden Avenue's significance is amplified by its numerous intersections with major state and federal highways, as well as interstates, forming a complex transportation nexus. The following table details its major junctions:

Major Intersections of Ogden Avenue
County Location mi km Destinations Notes
Kendall Oswegoโ€“Montgomery line 0.0 0.0
US 30 west (Ogden Falls Boulevard) / US 34 west
Western terminus; western end of US 30 and US 34 concurrencies
Montgomery 0.4 0.64
US 30 east / Lincoln Highway (Hill Avenue)
Eastern end of US 30 concurrency
Kane
No major junctions
DuPage Aurora 3.9 6.3
CR 33 east (75th Street)
Auroraโ€“Naperville line 5.0 8.0 IL 59
Naperville 7.4 11.9
CR 1 north (Raymond Drive)
Ogden continues at right fork, northern section continues as Raymond Drive
9.0 14.5
CR 32 north (Mill Street)
11.1 17.9
CR 23 north (Naper Boulevard)
Lisle 12.6 20.3 CR 40 (Yackley Avenue)
13.3 21.4 IL 53 (Lincoln Avenue) Interchange
Downers Groveโ€“Lisle line 14.5 23.3
I-88 Toll (Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway) / I-355 Toll (Veterans Memorial Tollway) / IL 110 (CKC)
Downers Grove 15.5 24.9 CR 52 north (Cross Street)
15.9 25.6 CR 2 (Finley Avenue (north) Belmont Avenue (south))
16.9 27.2
CR 9 north (Main Street)
17.7 28.5
CR 25 north (Fairview Avenue)
Westmont 18.7 30.1 CR 15 north (Cass Avenue)
Westmontโ€“Clarendon Hillsโ€“
Hinsdale tripoint
20.2 32.5 IL 83 (Kingery Highway) Interchange
Cook Hinsdaleโ€“Western Springs line 22.0 35.4
I-294 Toll (Tri-State Tollway) โ€“ Wisconsin, Indiana
Western Springsโ€“Westchester line 22.8 36.7 CR W22 (Wolf Road)
La Grange 24.3 39.1 US 12 / US 20 / US 45 (LaGrange Road)
La Grangeโ€“Brookfield line 24.8 39.9 CR W27 south (East Avenue)
Lyons 26.2 42.2 IL 171 (1st Avenue)
Lyonsโ€“Riversideโ€“
Berwyn tripoint
27.9 44.9 IL 43 (Harlem Avenue) / US 34 ends Eastern end of US 34 concurrency; eastern terminus of US 34
Cicero 31.2 50.2 IL 50 (Cicero Avenue) Quadrant interchange
Chicago 32.4 52.1 CR W43 south (Pulaski Road)
34.6 55.7 CR W96 (Western Avenue)
37.2 59.9
I-90 west / I-94 west (Kennedy Expressway)
Westbound I-90/I-94 entrance; eastbound I-90/I-94 exit
37.5 60.4 West Chestnut Street Eastern terminus
  • Concurrency terminus
  • Electronic toll collection
  • Incomplete access

Urban Evolution and Legacy

The Shifting Streetscape

Over time, certain segments of Ogden Avenue, most notably its former extension towards Lincoln Park, have undergone significant transformation. These sections have been vacated or redeveloped, reflecting the dynamic and ever-changing nature of urban environments and planning strategies.

A Corridor of Change

As a historic route, Ogden Avenue embodies the growth and transformation of the Chicago metropolitan area. It stands as a testament to evolving transportation needs and urban development, serving as a vital artery that has shaped the region's landscape for over a century.

Ogden Avenue within Chicago's Grid

Chicago's renowned grid system, augmented by strategic diagonal avenues, provides a structured framework for its extensive street network. Ogden Avenue, while largely aligning with grid principles in its eastern sections, also exhibits diagonal characteristics and historical deviations that underscore its unique development.

Grid vs. Diagonal

While many Chicago streets adhere to a strict north-south or east-west grid, diagonal avenues like Ogden were intentionally incorporated. These routes were designed to facilitate direct travel and connect key areas, often following established historical transportation paths predating the formal grid.

Key North-South Connections

Ogden Avenue's position as a primary east-west artery means it intersects numerous north-south routes. These include State Street (0 E/W), Halsted Street (800 W), Ashland Avenue (1600 W), Western Avenue (2400 W), Pulaski Road (4000 W), and Harlem Avenue (7200 W), demonstrating its deep integration into the city's comprehensive street plan.

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References

References

A full list of references for this article are available at the Ogden Avenue Wikipedia page

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Important Notice

This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.

This is not professional advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional consultation regarding transportation planning, civil engineering, historical research, or urban development. Always refer to official documentation and consult with qualified professionals for specific project needs.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.