| History of Michigan Island: Chapter One |
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| As early as 1965, abnormal seismic activity was detected in Lake Michigan. Scientists were naturally intrigued by this, and so through a federal grant a flotilla of research craft set out to find what was going on. What they found was an underwater land mass about 18 X 21 miles at its widest points. It was an interesting find, but it did not garner much more attention until 1971 when it was discovered that it was moving upwards at an incredible rate, almost 4 1/2 feet per year. By the late 1970's the Coast Guard was put on a full-time patrol to keep boaters and any merchant traffic out of the restricted areas, defined by ominous red buoys. In 1981 the miracle began, as the tip of a hill, located around present day 47th and Copernicous, protruded from the lake. In 1984 the island formed into its present state. As soon as it became apparent that the forthcoming island would be settled, a fierce battle raged in Congress. The Illinois-Indiana border ran through the island and Indiana wanted its share, but Illinois' government saw the opportunity to have a second major city in close proximity to Chicago. The debate raged on until 1988, when Congress decided that the best interests lie in Illinois taking the entire island, since those in Washington also believed in the merits of one large city. Meanwhile the when CTA had decided that since a city of this size would require transit, they started making preparations. First, they had started scrapping thier 1950's vintage 6000-series 'L' cars in 1980, as new cars were coming. In September of 1986, it was decided to store retired cars for future service. Over the next several years over 200 out of service cars had been accumulated. At the same time a sizable work fleet had been acquired. Behind much of the dealing was Illinois senator Louis Richfield. He had planned on running for governor, but a better opportunity was at hand. In 1988 he returned to his urban renewal project, Greener Pastures with Robert Rozycki. The mission of the company was to develop the island. Amazingly, in one year's time half the island was thoroughly planned. Obtaining special grants from state legislators, Richfield painted an attractive picture for the futures of prospective construction and development workers, and the benefits they would receive. With these promises before them, workers and wealthy real estate developers flocked to the island. Construction was at a break-neck pace, most times around the clock. A large group of Eastern European refugees came, mainly East Germans and Bosnians. This led Amnesty International to contribute to the funding. A big supporter was Roger Waters, for whom the now famous Waters Hotel was named. Located at 43rd and Allen, it became the cornerstone for the first neighborhood, Junktown, so named because many of the building materials came courtesy of the scrap yard. By 1991, the city was settled between 51st and Roosevelt, and the lakefront to Glover St., though sparsely populated, around 12,000. On October 8, 1991, the City of Michigan Island was incorporated. earlier in the year, work began on the Wicker Park Ave. Elevated. It would be completed and opened on May 18, 1992, though no passenger traffic started until December. It was frequented by CTA work equipment, leased to distribute supplies. This practice would continue for some time. 1992 brought several other dvelopments. In early February, Louis Richfield resigned his Senate post to devote all of his time to the island. In July he was elected the first mayor. He chose Frank Behrens as the city's treasurer. He would hold the post for 15 years, during which he deftly secured government aid and granys, as well as guiding commerce to the fledgling city. 1993 was the year that put everything on the springboard. St. Christopher's Hospital opened, providing the city with an advanced medical facility. Work was progressing steadily on two more rapid transit lines. One was to connect with the Wicker Park 'L' and provide southwest service on two branches, with the northern branch terminating at the almost complete Hyman G. Rickover Nuclear Power Plant. The other was to be a high-speed, limited stop route in the center of Eastman Ave., turning west on Madison and terminating in a downtown subway. it was to be overhead powered. The Eastman Electric line, as it came to be known, was not to be as fast as planned, as several extra station were added for transfers and neighborhoods were developers foresaw vast growth. Also, METRA completed a double deck rail/highway toll bridge linking both downtowns. CTA approved an 'L' line there as well, to be called the 'Interloop'. Due to legal difficulties it would not be opened for another two years. There was enormous retail and industrial development during this time. Chicago workers who came to the island in search of work often found the island charming and full of hope, and then uprooted thier families in hopes of a better life. At the end of the year. the population had once again more than doubled, reaching 25,000. |
| Transit Timeline 5/18/92 - Wicker Park Ave. complete between 31st and 55th. 12/7/92 - Wicker Park Ave. begins operation after delivery of 6000's. 8/3/93 - Service between 31st and Kinzie begins. 3/8/94 - Rickover Branch is opened, running to Roosevelt. 4/6-18/94- Service on the Wicker Park Ave. is extended to Allen/Belmont. 2/27/95 - Junktown Branch is opened to 47th, and is permanently routed to Rickover. 6/16/95 - The Eastman Electric line is opened in its present entirety. 11/25/95 - The Washington Grove subway is opened to 35th, and added to the Rickover-Junktown Line. |
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