Dedicated to the residents of Bartlett on September 12, 2010, the depot museum celebrates and shares the village's rail history. The depot itself, constructed in 1873, establishing Bartlett, is the oldest structure in the village.   

The First Saturday Free Children’s Craft offers a different craft on the first Saturday of every month, when the museum is open. No registration is required, but supplies are limited. Drop in any time between 9 a.m. and noon. Located at 100 W. Railroad Ave., the Depot has free admission and free parking, across the street in the public lot. In addition to exhibits, there are lots of hands-on activities for all ages to learn about our railroad heritage. All Aboard for History!

Mission Statement: The Bartlett Depot Museum interprets and shares the legacy of the community's railroading heritage with the public through exhibitions, education and media to increase awareness and knowledge of the past, present and future significance of the railroad industry in Bartlett.

Ticket to Ride: Mark Llanuza’s Photos to Metra Monthly Passes

Metra employee Mark Llanuza is a longtime Bartlett resident and a lifelong rail fan. In his youth he began photographing trains in the Chicagoland area, including in Bartlett. Llanuza has become well recognized for his artistic style of rail photography. Extreme weather, such as snow and rain, are his favorite conditions to work in.  

When his portfolio caught the attention of Metra, Llanuza was called upon to document railroad accidents, provide photos for corporate publications and more.

In January 2016, Metra began using real images on its monthly passes. Llanuza’s work was selected “as the foundation for the new artwork” that inaugural year and his imagery continues to be featured. Metra recognized him with a framed letter of appreciation and compilation of its 2016 passes. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next Stop Spaulding! A Community Lost to Time

In 1910, there was a proposal to extend Elgin’s street car line from Bluff City Cemetery’s entrance to Spaulding and rename the community East Elgin. The plan never materialized. 

Spaulding? Heard of it? Ever been there?

Spaulding was a community once located between Bartlett and Elgin and was the stop after Bartlett, when traveling west on the commuter rail line. Like Bartlett, Spaulding got its start from the railroad.

 

In 1873, the Chicago & Pacific Railroad Co. built westward from Chicago to Elgin, establishing a rail siding at the Spaulding farm.  In 1888, the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway built northward forming a rail junction, interchange and yard there. The two railroads brought workers, businesses and a school to the area. Spaulding almost incorporated in 1959, but the referendum failed. 

Though Spaulding was lost to time and the area was annexed into Bartlett and Elgin, the rails, railroad junction, interchange and yard continues 130 years later and is used today by the Canadian National Railway and Metra.