Ogilvie Transportation Center

Chicago is a city that greatly benefitted from the railroads, quickly emerging as a terminus for the nation’s trains. This connection to the other cities of the country allowed greater freedom of movement and commerce for the citizens of Chicago. The Windy City’s connection to the railroads is clear today in the structure of the modern Ogilvie Transportation Center. Due to the large number of commuters who make use of the station, it may be difficult to find Ogilvie parking spaces unless you book an Ogilvie Station parking space ahead of time.

The current Ogilvie Station is the second rail depot on the same site. Prior to 1911, rail traffic was handled by the Wells Street Station, which had been in operation since 1853. After being rebuilt following the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, it was torn down in 1911 and became part of the land upon which the Merchandise Mart would be built. Its’ replacement was the Chicago and North Western Terminal, which was built on the current site of Ogilvie Station in the same year. The station had a concourse just as the current station does, albeit instead of shops and a food court, this facility boasted doctor’s offices, dressing rooms and more, providing for as many needs as possible. The station supported 16 tracks, which brought in a lot of traffic during its heyday.

As time wore on, technology advanced, and more people began to use automobiles and air travel to traverse the continent. The end result was less traffic on the railroad, but there still was a clear and present need to keep the stations up to date. The 1911 station was razed in 1984 and replaced with the modern Ogilvie Transportation Center, a train station upon which sits the Citicorp Center, a towering giant of glass and steel. While this renovation did not add an official Ogilvie Station parking lot, it did modernize the station. It is in the Citicorp Center where the modern shops, banks and other amenities are housed, along with the headquarters of the Orbitz travel website. The modern Ogilvie Transportation Center provides service to the Union Pacific Northwest, West and North lines through Metra. Ogilvie Station parking may be hard to find come rush hour, so booking Ogilvie Transportation Center parking spaces with ParkWhiz is the best way to get to the train before the train whistle blows its mournful tone.

It’s simple to use ParkWhiz to find Chicago Ogilvie parking; choose the day that you’ll need Ogilvie Station parking, then enter the time time you need to be parking at Ogilvie Transportation Center, print out your Ogilvie Center parking pass (or use your mobile pass on your smartphone) and enjoy Chicago!

Chicago Parking for other popular destinations:

• Adler Planetarium
• Art Institute of Chicago
• Chase Auditorium
• Chase Tower Chicago
• Chicago Cultural Center
• Columbia College Chicago
• Daley Plaza
• Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
• Feinberg Center
• Fourth Presbyterian Church
• James R. Thompson Center
• Leo Burnett Building
• Macy's State Street
• Monadnock Building
• Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
• Navy Pier
• North Avenue Beach
• Oak Street Beach
• Roanoke Building
• Roosevelt University
• Sears Tower
• Shedd Aquarium
• Sidley Austin
• Union League Club of Chicago
• Union Station