Briergate Station Preservation Fund

From 1926 to 1963 the Briergate station in Highland Park, Illinois served thousands of commuters and other passengers on the high-speed “Skokie Valley Route” of the Chicago, North Shore and Milwaukee Railway (“North Shore Line”) an electric interurban line which provided fast, comfortable service between its namesake cities.

While all but two other North Shore Line stations were demolished in the years afterwards, Briergate was spared, continuing as a commercial space. This Spanish Colonial Revival station, designed by architect Arthur U. Gerber, is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Disinterest from previous owners has prevented its listing.

Recently this historic station has been put up for sale and the local Preservation Commission has informed us that the structure will likely be demolished for redevelopment. The North Shore Line Preservation Association (NSLPA) was formed in December 2015 for the purpose of purchasing Briergate, with the long-term goal of converting it into a museum.

If we do not act quickly, this piece of local history will disappear forever. Help save the Briergate station!