Illinois Railway Museum Blog

When Illinois Railway Museum President Joe Stupar scanned over three-thousand photos from the collection of Harold G. Mason, President of the Chicago, North Shore, and Milwaukee Railway, he discovered a testament to women at work in traditional and non-traditional roles during the life of the North Shore Line. His wife Gwyneth, herself a ten year volunteer at the museum, selected and restored the best of these photos stating, “To say women were essential is an understatement. Everyone thinks women in the railroad industry during that era were primarily office workers. Women worked as ticket collectors, streetcar operators, and more. Clearly, these images speak volumes about the brilliant history of transportation not only between Chicago and Milwaukee, but the United States at large." 

This exhibit would not be possible without the generosity of Walter R. Keevil, an Evanston resident and retiree from the CTA, whose uncle, the late Charles E. Keevil, worked as a photographer for the company in the 1940s. Charles E. Keevil kept scrupulous records, and Walter R. Keevil was able to identify all but one of the women. "It's a pleasure to see this unique exhibit and I am happy to have been able to add a few pictures and provide names and dates for some of the photos," Keevil said. 

In addition to his uncle's documentation, Walter R. Keevil generously scanned 15 images from his private collection that the museum did not own. 

Currently, Gwyneth Stupar is in the process of interviewing those female employees who are still available in the area. Previously, the women gathered in Waukegan, Illinois for a reunion organized by a committee of former NSL employees. 

Museum Librarian Barbara Lanphier, who grew up riding the North Shore Line on an almost daily basis, even remembers several of the ticket collectors. 

The new exhibit will be featured through August 31st, including the museum’s North Shore Day on July 7th. This year also marks the 50th Anniversary of the demise of the North Shore Line. To commemorate the abandonment, the Electroliner will be on display.