Chicago's elevated train system is a unique part of the city’s history. The area was known as “basket houses,” because they were constantly being filled and emptied with produce baskets that came from nearby farms in Illinois or Indiana through various railroads such as the Chicago Junction Railroad Company which became famous for its locomotive named General George Washington (1848-1929) who gave his name to this railroad line itself.

It's also called "The El" by locals since it runs above street level on iron stilts lined up along northern sections of downtown and through many of the neighborhoods.