State/Lake is a simple two side platform station on the loop. The platforms lack a free crossover or under but a free Fare Card transfer can be obtained from the elevated lines to the Red Line by leaving the station and reentering at the Lake Red Line Station. The two platforms each have two street stairs, one at each respective corner of State and Lake Streets. These lead up turnstiles directly on the platforms. The small original rooflines from the 1895 original station house still exists in the middle of the fare control areas but these were modernized in the 1960s with glass walls. (http://www.chicago-l.org/stations/state-lake.html Chicago-L.org), after passing through turnstiles passengers reach wooden platforms, beneath an ornate canopy with two sets of round pillars and a Victorian-era low-fence. All are painted white. This covers a little less than four cars cars. Exposed platform extensions, still made of wood with but with simple lampposts and less ornate fencing cover the rest of the platforms. The extensions of the platform are slightly offset from each other, the Inner Loop platform (Purple, Orange, Pink, and southbound Green Lines) extends mostly east. The Outer Loop platform (Brown and westbound Green Lines) extends west. This means passengers going to this station in either direction should be towards the back (of longer trains, short trains stop closest to the station).
Photo 1 taken on 23 October, 2004, 2-14 on 24 October, 2004, Photos 15-32 taken on 3 August, 2011, 33-42 on 2 August, 2012, 43 on 3 August, 2012; 44-51: 17 February, 2018
