This weekend I went exploring in northern Indiana and discovered the beautiful little Beverly Shores train station. It is located on the South Shore Line, an electric commuter rail that runs from northern Indiana to Chicago, skirting around the southwest corner of Lake Michigan. The South Shore Line began in 1903 and stretched all the way to South Bend, Indiana, by 1908. Amazingly, it began as an electric railway and continues to be electric, today. It is the last remaining electric interurban railway system in the United States.

Beverley Shores, located right next to Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, has has a tiny, historic train station on the South Shore Line that was designed by architect Arthur Gerber in 1929. Gerber was the staff architect for Samuel Insull, who then owned the line, it is one of several examples of an “Insull Spanish” style used on the rail line. It is likely no coincidence that this followed closely on the heels of the Southern Pacific Railway’s spread of Mission Revival style train stations (like the beautiful Davis station).

The station doesn’t just serve the South Shore Line today–it also operates as the Depot Museum and Art Gallery. If you’re ever near Indiana Dunes, I recommend paying a visit. If you’re riding the train, though, don’t forget to press the button or the train will pass right by the little Beverly Shores station.

Sources and Further Reading:

There is a lot of great reading on the South Shore Line and Beverly Shores Station!

A great detailed history of the South Shore Line can be found on the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District website.

The Beverly Shores Museum and Art Gallery (located in the station) have their own website which you can see here.

The Beverly Shores Station National Register Nomination can be seen here.

Last but not least, the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. One of my favorite weekend trips from Chicago.