Dearborn Station is a former railway station in Chicago’s Printer’s Row, at 47 W Polk St. It is known as the place where Swami Vivekananda first arrived in the city. The preserved headhouse has Romanesque details and a clock tower; inside, retail, dining and other businesses occupy the former station. Stop to see the exterior and consider a guided tour for more context on its railway past. The nearby cobblestone streets add another glimpse of the area’s historic character.
A railway station preserved
Dearborn Station was one of six railway stations in Chicago and is the oldest of the six in the downtown area. After it stopped operating as a station in the 1970s, demolition was proposed. The headhouse was preserved, leaving the building’s railway history visible in its exterior.
The building today
The former station now contains retail, dining and entertainment space, alongside offices and other businesses. Its Romanesque architecture and clock tower are the main details to look for outside. The site is at 47 W Polk St in Printer’s Row, close to cobblestone streets that offer another reason to walk around the neighbourhood.
FAQ
What is Dearborn Station known for?
It is a former Chicago railway station and the place where Swami Vivekananda first arrived in the city.
What can you see at Dearborn Station?
The preserved headhouse has Romanesque architecture and a clock tower. The building now contains retail, dining and other businesses.
Is Dearborn Station still a train station?
No. It stopped operating as a station in the 1970s, and its former headhouse was preserved.
