Skokie, Illinois - Niles Center Morton Grove One Bus Fare Transit Token (IL 785 A)
This collectible transit token was issued for bus transportation serving the communities of Niles Center (now Skokie), Morton Grove, and the surrounding Chicago suburbs of Illinois. It is cataloged as Atwood-Coffee IL 785 A.
The token was used as a one bus fare payment piece during the era when private bus operators provided local transportation before the development of modern regional transit systems.
Token Details:
- Location: Skokie / Niles Center and Morton Grove, Illinois
- Type: Transit / bus fare token
- Catalog: Atwood-Coffee IL 785 A
- Value: One Bus Fare
- Material: Metal alloy
- Shape: Round with cutouts
- Era: Mid-20th century
Historical Background:
Before the village officially changed its name to Skokie in 1940, it was known as Niles Center. Bus service in the area connected local communities including Niles Center, Morton Grove, and nearby suburbs with access to the larger Chicago metropolitan area.
Transit tokens were used by bus companies as a convenient substitute for cash fares. They helped speed up boarding, simplified fare collection, and provided a practical payment method for daily commuters.
This token represents an interesting period in Illinois transportation history, when privately operated suburban bus routes played an important role in connecting growing communities around Chicago.
A great addition for collectors of:
- Illinois transit tokens
- Chicago-area transportation memorabilia
- Bus and streetcar collectibles
- Exonumia
- Skokie and Morton Grove history
Please examine photographs carefully for the exact condition, wear, color, and surface details of the token being offered.
