South Shore - The Last Interurban is about the formation and the fascinating history of Chicago's South Shore Line, tracing its construction and operation through years of roller coaster financial difficulties during which it has provided steady service between Chicago and its suburbs.
The South Shore is unique among interurbans. It was hailed as a technological triumph at the time it was laid down early in the twentieth Century. Unfortunately, it confounded its promoters with the most disappointing sort of financial performance during the very years when the industry in general was enjoying its greatest prosperity. While close to abandonment in the mid-1920s, it was taken over by utility tycoon Sam Insull. He reconstructed the railroad making it into both one of the most technically advanced and financially successful interurbans. In 1929 the South Shore won the annual Charles A Coffin Gold Medal, which is awarded to the electric railway company in the United States “that had made the greatest contribution toward increasing the advantage of electric transportation for the convenience and well- being of the public and for the benefit of the industry”. In 1929 and 1930 the line won the Electric Traction interurban speed trophy with the fastest interurban schedules in North America.
South Shore - The Last Interurban talks about how the line’s fortunes again turned down with bankruptcy during the Great Depression. World War II brought good fortunes to the line. The line has continued to survive making it the Last Interurban in the United States.
From the days of the “Great A.C. Line” to the “Little Joe’s” and big orange interurban cars, the South Shore has survived. William d. Middleton tells the rich and colorful story of the South Shore Line in an absorbing volume of about 40,000 words and more than 250 illustrations and photographs. You will want to add this to your collection. Also on the website is One Hundred Years of Enduring Tradition = South Shore Line – Dispatch 3 which includes more recent history.