Old Chicago Photos

The quintessential vintage Chicago photo. Traffic on Dearborn and Randolph, c1909. Photographer: Unknown http://encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/3512.html

The construction of Municipal Pier in 1914 was just one of the projects that reshaped the lakeshore. The pier was renamed Navy Pier in 1927 to honor navy veterans of World War I. http://encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/3802.html

Title: The Art Institute, Chicago, Ill. Detroit Publishing Co. , publisher Date Created/Published: [between 1890 and 1901] Source: http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/det1994007877/PP/

Title: Newberry Library, Chicago Related Names: Detroit Publishing Co. , publisher Date Created/Published: [ca. 1900] http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/det1994014489/PP/

Title: [Illinois Central Railway depot, Chicago, Ill.] Related Names: Detroit Publishing Co. , publisher Date Created/Published: [between 1900 and 1910] http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/det1994015811/PP/

Architect: D.H. Burnham and Company, 1890-92, northeast corner of Dearborn St. and Jackson Blvd., demolished in 1940. Title: Great Northern Building & Hotel, Chicago Related Names: Detroit Publishing Co. , publisher Date Created/Published: [between 1890 and 1901] http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/det1994007879/PP/

Union Depot railroad station, built in 1881 at Canal and Adams Streets. Photographer: Charles R. Clark Source: Chicago Historical Society (ICHi-36278) http://encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/10580.html

Michigan ave, 1929 Photographer: Chicago Daily News Source: Chicago Historical Society (DN-0089215) http://encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/10448.html

Cook County building demolition, Washington and Clark, 1904-5. Photographer: Unknown Source: Chicago Historical Society (ICHi-37019) http://encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/3375.html

After multiple delays, the Link Bridge (also called the Outer Drive Bridge) was officially opened on October 5, 1937, with President Franklin Roosevelt in attendance. This was a much larger project than might appear, given the engineering challenges that had to be met and the massive amount of structural steel required. The day was observed with great fanfare, including a celebratory spray from the new fireboat Fred Busse, named after the mayor at the time the Plan of Chicago was released in 1909. In the first half-hour following the 1 p.m. opening, 36,000 vehicles crossed the bridge, with traffic slowed by the distribution of souvenir windshield stickers. A lower level was subsequently added. While the bridge eased congestion on Michigan Avenue, the roadway's sharp angles immediately proved to be a problem. A little before 3 a.m. on October 8, two different northbound drivers were the first of many who failed to negotiate the turns and suffered an accident. This hazard was not finally corrected until the completion of the current S-curve in 1986. Source: Chicago Historical Society (ICHi-37016) http://encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/6413.html

Corner of State and Madison After the Fire, 1871 Within a year, most visible traces of the destruction were gone, and Chicago expanded and improved as it was resurrected. This image shows how daunting the task was and how quickly the city set about rebuilding. Photographer: Unknown Source: Chicago Historical Society (ICHi-02811) http://encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/6338.html

Title: Post Office, Chicago, Ill. Detroit Publishing Co. , publisher Date Created/Published: [between 1900 and 1906] http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/det1994009608/PP/

Title: [Lake] Shore Drive, Lincoln Park, Chicago, Ill. Related Names: Detroit Publishing Co. , copyright claimant Detroit Publishing Co. , publisher Date Created/Published: c1905. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/det1994000914/PP/

Title: Chicago, Illinois. Double header Pennsylvania railroad train pulling out of Union station. The building in the background is the United States Post Office Creator(s): Delano, Jack, photographer Date Created/Published: 1943 Jan. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/owi2001017486/PP/

Title: The Public library, Chicago, Ill. Related Names: Detroit Publishing Co. , copyright claimant Detroit Publishing Co. , publisher Date Created/Published: [c1900] http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/det1994007878/PP/

Title: Madison St. east from Fifth Ave., Chicago Related Names: Detroit Publishing Co. , publisher Date Created/Published: [1900 Sept. 1] http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/det1994005477/PP/

The Court of Honor was the architectural showpiece of the exposition. At the right is the Columbian Fountain, designed by Frederick MacMonnies. Machinery Hall is visible behind it, and the Agricultural Building appears at the left. The ensemble of neoclassical palaces and Venetian waterways set a tone of imperial splendor and aesthetic sophistication, which Chicago's fair supporters hoped would counter the city's reputation as commercial center lacking in refinement and high culture. Photographer: Charles Dudley Arnold Source: Chicago Historical Society (ICHI-18013) http://encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/3896.html

In 1925 the Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company worked at the intersection of South Water Street and Wabash Avenue to create the bi-level Wacker Drive. Photographer: Chicago Architectural Photographic Co. Source: Chicago Historical Society (ICHi-37922) http://encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/11198.html

This 1918 photograph shows the approach to the Dearborn Street Bridge looking north across the Chicago River. Note both the horse drawn wagons and the electric streetcars in use. Photographer: Unknown Source: Chicago Historical Society (ICHi-37375) http://encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/10800.html

At 4:00 p.m. on the sunny afternoon of May 14, 1920, Chicago Plan Commission Chairman Charles Wacker and Board of Local Improvements President Michael Faherty stood beside Mayor William Hale "Big Bill" Thompson as he cut the ribbon to open the upper level of the new Michigan Avenue Bridge. The sporty Thompson doffed his cowboy hat, the crowd pressed up against ropes that were there to contain it, fireworks were shot into the sky, planes dropped booster literature, boats in the river sounded their whistles, and a band played "The Star-Spangled Banner." Workers on the still uncompleted lower level remained busily on the job during the ceremonies. Photographer: J. Sherwin Murphy Source: Chicago Historical Society (ICHi-29306) http://encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/10487.html

The first lake tunnel was completed in 1869 and connected to the Water Tower and Pumping Station at Chicago and Michigan Avenues. Today, multiple lake tunnels and pumping stations constitute Chicago's water system. Photographer: Unknown Source: Chicago Historical Society (ICHi-02792) http://encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/10768.html

Title: Chicago, Ill., C. & N.W. R.R. station Related Names: Detroit Publishing Co. , copyright claimant Detroit Publishing Co. , publisher Date Created/Published: c1898. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/det1994003807/PP/

Title: [Palace of Mechanic Arts and lagoon at the World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago, Illinois] Creator(s): Johnston, Frances Benjamin, 1864-1952, photographer Date Created/Published: [1892, printed later] http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/96516572/

Title: - Reliance Building, 32 North State Street, Chicago, Cook County, IL c1900 ? http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/hh/item/il0041.photos.060997p/

Title: [Grant Park, Chicago, Ill.] Related Names: Detroit Publishing Co. , publisher Date Created/Published: [between 1900 and 1920] http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/det1994022038/PP/

Union Station, 1925. Photographer: Chicago Architectural Photographing Co. Source: Chicago Historical Society (ICHi-31909) http://encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/3201.html

Cable cars, electric trolleys, hansom cabs, electric automobiles, and pedestrians share the corner of State and Madison, around 1905. http://encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/3280.html

Statue of the Republic and Grand Basin, at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. Photographer: Unknown Source: Chicago Historical Society (ICHi-02524) http://encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/3347.html

As the Burnham Plan suggested, in the 1920s the city began to fill in land to develop Northerly Island. It was the first in an intended chain of connected islands to extend south to 51st Street. The goal was to create an area on the lakefront that could be used for water sports. In 1933 Northerly Island housed the botanical exhibit at the Century of Progress World's Fair. None of the other islands were ever developed. Photographer: Unknown Source: Chicago Historical Society (ICHi-31117) http://encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/10843.html

Eastland Disaster Rescue Efforts, 1915 Photographer: Chicago Daily News Source: Chicago Historical Society (DN-0064936) http://encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/10443.html

Title: Haymarket Square Date Created/Published: [c1893] Summary: Print shows Haymarket Square, Chicago, view from monument, looking up the street jammed with commercial wagons. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2004669967/

Title: Randolph St., east from LaSalle St., Chicago Related Names: Detroit Publishing Co. , copyright claimant Detroit Publishing Co. , publisher Date Created/Published: 1900 Sept 1. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/det1994005078/PP/

Title: State Street, Chicago, Ill. Related Names: Detroit Publishing Co. , copyright claimant Detroit Publishing Co. , publisher Date Created/Published: c1905. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/det1994011455/PP/

Title: Wabash Ave., Chicago, Ill. Date Created/Published: c1907. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/96504942/

This photograph was probably taken in 1925, since the vantage point seems to be the Tribune Tower (1925). The London Guarantee and Accident Building (1923; now 360 North Michigan Avenue), and both the Wrigley Building (1921) and its Annex (1924) are completed, while Wacker Drive, which opened in 1926, is under construction. Grant Park is still largely undeveloped. Illinois Central facilities dominate the area south of the river and east of the buildings that line the east side of a widened Michigan Avenue. Photographer: Kaufmann & Fabry Source: Chicago Historical Society (ICHi-51173) http://encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/10405.html

The swing bridge at Rush Street was rebuilt after the 1871 Chicago Fire. At the turn of the last century, the movable bridge still operated on a Chicago River busy with a wide range of shipping, as seen here in a photograph taken around 1900. http://encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/10624.html

Municipal Airport, 1929. aka Midway Photographer: Chicago Aerial Survey Co. Source: Chicago Historical Society (ICHi-25924) http://encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/3283.html

This photograph was taken in 1929, a year before the river-straightening project was completed. The view is from the south toward downtown, and at this point is it possible to see both the river's old path and its new one. The photograph also makes evident how much of the real estate in this area was devoted to railroad tracks and yards. Photographer: Chicago Aerial Survey Company Source: Chicago Historical Society (ICHi-05776) http://encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/10583.html

Photographer: Chicago Aerial Survey Co. Source: Chicago Historical Society (ICHi-05798) http://encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/10645.html

Title: An Instantaneous flash picture of the Chicago Board of Trade in session Lawrence, Geo. R. (George R.) , copyright claimant Lawrence, Geo. R. (George R.) , photographer Date Created/Published: c1900. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2007663560/

Burnham and Root designed the previous home of the Art Institute of Chicago, which opened in 1885 at 404 South Michigan Avenue. The Chicago Club took over that building when the Art Institute moved into its current home on the east side of Michigan Avenue at Adams Street in 1892. It was designed by Shepley, Rutan, and Coolidge. This building hosted several meetings in conjunction with the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893. http://encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/10593.html

Title: Jackknife Bridge, Chicago, Ill. - Between Jackson and Van Buren Creator(s): Behm, Hans, photographer Related Names: Detroit Publishing Co. , copyright claimant Detroit Publishing Co. , publisher Date Created/Published: c1907. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/det1994019762/PP/

Title: The Heart of Chicago Related Names: Detroit Publishing Co. , copyright claimant Detroit Publishing Co. , publisher Date Created/Published: [c1900 or 1901] http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/det1994007788/PP/

They just don't make buildings like they used to... Title: La Salle Hotel, Chicago, Ill.. Related Names: Detroit Publishing Co. , copyright claimant Detroit Publishing Co. , publisher Date Created/Published: c[between 1910 and 1920] http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/det1994021598/PP/

This view of Grant Park in 1929 looks northwest toward Michigan Avenue. While the park lacked much of today's landscaping and structures, the basic layout was in place, Buckingham Fountain (1927) had been built, and the Art Institute had expanded over the Illinois Central tracks, which still dominated the landscape at the north end of the park. http://encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/10897.html

Aftermath of the Great Chicago Fire, 1871. Photographer: Unknown Source: Chicago Public Library (ECC 1.1966) http://encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/3524.html

The view here is west from the Post Office along Canal Street, through which Congress Parkway passes. Construction on the Congress Expressway (later known as the Eisenhower Expressway), into which the parkway leads, began in 1949. Photographer: Mildred Mead Source: Chicago Historical Society (ICHi-27308) http://encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/10585.html

The Chicago Historical Society was founded in 1856, but its first building and virtually all of its early collections were lost in the Great Chicago Fire. This structure, the Society's third home, was built on the same site as the first two, at the northwest corner of Dearborn and Ontario Streets. After the Chicago Historical Society moved to its current location at Clark Street and North Avenue in 1932, this building went through a series of owners and uses, though the original name remains inscribed in stone over the entrance. Photographer: Barnes-Crosby Source: Chicago Historical Society (ICHi-19139) http://encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/10590.html