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This past Tuesday, we ran a post on Chicago's Bridge to Nowhere — the former "L" bridge crossing the West Side Metra tracks near Paulina and Carroll. Since then, John Schmidt has come across another photo which gives a clearer picture of how the bridge was once linked to our transit system.

An iron bridge that crosses over the West Side Metra tracks a block west of Ashland Avenue is actually a remnant of the "L." 

Chicago’s first subway opened in 1943, but government control of mass transit came in 1947 with the new Chicago Transit Authority, which set out to modernize the system. In part three of his look-back, history blogger John Schmidt asks, "What would Chicago be without the 'L'?"

Chicago’s first "L" began operating between Congress and 39th Street on June 6, 1892. By the next May, service had been extended to the Columbian Exposition fairgrounds at 63rd and Stony Island.

This week Chicago celebrates the 120th birthday of our beloved "L." The first trains began running on June 6, 1892.

The protesters were angry and vocal in the fall of 1909. Their target was one heartless Chicago capitalist named Clarence Knight. He was trying to end smoking on the 'L' trains.Knight was president of the Chicago & Oak Park Elevated Railroad (today's Lake Street Green Line).

In October 1943 Chicagoans took time off from World War II to enjoy a grand weekend celebration. After 40 years of talk, the city was opening its first subway.Construction had taken five years.