Hawthorne Works (the Hawthorne effect)

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/9021/28549681430d14a78300bhf6.jpg
Mike Midaran/ flickr

Yeah, I do too. Too bad it wasn't built to last. By the way, anyone who wants to learn more about the fair should watch Expo: The Magic of the White City: The Chicago's World Fair of 1893 or read Devil in the White city.:yes:

http://www.shoppbs.org/sm-pbs-expo-the-magic-of-the-white-city-the-chicagos-world--pi-2082685.html

Actually, that's not true... The Fair buildings WERE built to last, but they were destroyed by a fire set during the Pullman riots of 1894. http://www.kansasheritage.org/pullman/index.html It's really a shame... only the Museum of Science and Industry remains... if they had not been destroyed, it very well could have reshaped the scope of Chicago history (from a development standpoint) to a more southward direction and/or parts of the Burnham Plan of 1909 (such as creating islands linking what would become Grant Park to Jackson Park) would have been completed. Only Northerly Island (former home to Meigs Field) was constructed.

Actually, that's not true... The Fair buildings WERE built to last, but they were destroyed by a fire set during the Pullman riots of 1894. http://www.kansasheritage.org/pullman/index.html It's really a shame... only the Museum of Science and Industry remains... if they had not been destroyed, it very well could have reshaped the scope of Chicago history (from a development standpoint) to a more southward direction and/or parts of the Burnham Plan of 1909 (such as creating islands linking what would become Grant Park to Jackson Park) would have been completed. Only Northerly Island (former home to Meigs Field) was constructed.

It may be semantics... but I've learned a bit more through research today. It turns out that many of the buildings weren't built to be permanent... but there was discussion of MAKING them more permanent... but the riots during the Pullman Strike of 1894 destroyed much of the area. It would have had to be completely rebuilt, which (apparently) wasn't an option.

Unfortunately all of this occurred 114 years ago. Not too many primary sources exist, and the political situations involved in the riots meant that lots of these are a bit skewed. The destruction of a mostly now-forgotten fair grounds isn't the lasting historical piece from those riots. Instead it was worker-employer relations.

^^
cabrfabuitre seems misinformed. ALL the principle exposition buildings of the fair (except today's MSI, ne, Palace of Fine Arts) were built on wood or wood and steel frames and faced with a mixture of plaster and straw called "staff" which was cheap, but would not in any way last or weather well. The buildings were intended to be razed. But the financial panic of late '93, as well as other political complications left them sitting to rot until many were burned.

^^ I'll have to agree with DCCliff. I took a few Chicago history classes in undergrad and in every one I was taught that they were built extremely cheaply and quickly, made to last through the fair and then to be torn down. They were never meant to last past the fair.

I have a few historic Chicago images and scans of ephemera on my flickr account.

Here's the link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/30885260@N06/sets/72157608113856870/

I'm looking for a pic of Millenium and Grant park when it was used as a parking lot.

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/259/grantparkmay1952lrar3.jpg

thank you!

I found this one too, 1963.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f21/cbotnyse/historic%20photos%20chicago/Lakefront1963.jpg

Wow that is ugly...but very cool picture.

Have you guys looked through all the Life magazine photos that were uploaded onto Google images?

There are some great picks of Chicago in the 20's-60's.

1936
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t30/jlew24asu/ATT00001.jpg

1939
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t30/jlew24asu/ATT00000.jpg

1941
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t30/jlew24asu/ATT00002.jpg

1947
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t30/jlew24asu/ATT00003.jpg

1950
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t30/jlew24asu/ATT00004.jpg

1950
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t30/jlew24asu/ATT00005.jpg

1960
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t30/jlew24asu/ATT00006.jpg

1962
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t30/jlew24asu/ATT00007.jpg

1964
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t30/jlew24asu/ATT00008.jpg

1967
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t30/jlew24asu/ATT00009.jpg

1970
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t30/jlew24asu/ATT00010.jpg

http://img375.imageshack.us/img375/255/041305chicagori2.1ba992191f.jpg (http://g.imageshack.us/g.php?h=375&i=041305chicagori2.jpg)


The cars don't look so old in this photo.

Edit: I can't seem to quote the photo. It's the last one on page 11. I just noticed that the vehicles appear to be from the last 10 years or so.

..

..

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/259/grantparkmay1952lrar3.jpg

^ Wow. Millennium Park was a huge improvement, to say the least

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/154/391431925_08808a9515_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/136/391870627_6dbcfa1d50_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/80/250568667_ef36fda13f_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2307/2329698703_787beae6af_o.jpg

Those cars are awesome.

What are the odds of having three Chevrolet Impalas in a row at the stoplight on Belmont?

I've added quite a few more vintage Chicago photos since the last time I linked to my Flickr site. Enjoy!

Link: http://flickr.com/photos/30885260@N06/sets/72157608113856870/

Neighborhood being cleared to make way for UIC:
http://www.uic.edu/depts/oaa/walkingtour/Netschtour/3.c.3-Cleared%20neighborhood.jpg

I've added quite a few more vintage Chicago photos since the last time I linked to my Flickr site. Enjoy!

Link: http://flickr.com/photos/30885260@N06/sets/72157608113856870/awesome photo of 860 in there.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f21/cbotnyse/historic%20photos%20chicago/3030410677_7551da81e4.jpg

^Whoa...sweet!

awesome photo of 860 in there.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f21/cbotnyse/historic%20photos%20chicago/3030410677_7551da81e4.jpg


The above photo of 860 and the others in the set were found in a scrap book made for a 200 level architecture class. Quite an interesting find.

^^ those buildings have no core!?!?

Orleans and Chicago
Then:
http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/5408/untitled1aqw5.jpg
David Wilson/ flickr
Now:
http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/7932/untitled3fo0.jpg
Google street view
State and Chicago
Then:
http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/756/untitled2kg7.jpg
David Wilson/ flickr
Now: For some reason Google does not have a street view for this area, which is weird because I believe it did originally. You know what it looks like anyway.

A question regarding the second photo: why did Loyola remove the finials from Lewis Tower? The building looks somewhat decapitated now.

The "then and now" shots are the best :cheers: ^^

http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/5484/uptown1933te3.jpg
From Uptown Update (http://www.uptownupdate.com/2009/01/uptown-from-air.html)

^Good lord...

^^ Yea, that's a sweet photo.

Here are some pic of Windy City, from my favorite athlete ever pic collection :D

http://i40.tinypic.com/fmkz21.jpg

http://i43.tinypic.com/14aea92.jpg

http://i43.tinypic.com/2d9pvn6.jpg

Hope it's on-topic :D

Central Life Insurance Building (demolished)
http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/8514/32547480560868996e4ebzk4.jpg
AtomicMush/ flickr

Thanks Tommy and Spyguy!

I still cant believe Jordan's restaurant failed. I've never been, but I was too young at the time. That should still be thriving like Ditka's place is.

Coincidentally, your great photo of the Central Life Insurance Building appeared just before today's article in the Tribune about the vertical mall that replaced the Central Life Insurance Building.

That vertical mall--Chicago Place--is going to be converted to mostly office space with retail on the lowest levels. The Central Life Insurance building stood at the southwest corner of Superior and Michigan Avenue. What a shame it was for it to be demolished.

Saks Fifth Avenue, the anchor of the Chicago Place Mall, roughly occupies the former footprint of the Central Life Insurance Building.

I still cant believe Jordan's restaurant failed. I've never been, but I was too young at the time. That should still be thriving like Ditka's place is.

Yeah i barely remember that place. Where was it located?

Lasalle and Illinois.

Marina City, 1966. You can also see the WLS thermometer and The London House.
http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/5647/32800407640f75883f2bbkw8.jpg
Philip Kozloff/ flickr

^"Left Turn Only" is an odd sign to see in the US. Both Wacker and Michigan were always two-way streets.

Also notice the safety nets that were lowered to block off the Michigan Avenue bridge. I think those finally were removed in the 80s.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3418/3272999253_422dd2c93f_o.jpg

1984 Tribune feature on north side neighborhoods.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3514/3271869855_6535c76086_b.jpg

From same publication. This looks to be Broadway between Belmont and Addison.

Grand Central Station
http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/4967/3292184410329e2633ffbyn6.jpg
David Wilson/ flickr
Chase Tower under construction
http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/9026/32913678812f75e30c48bxx9.jpg
David Wilson/ flickr
1130 South Michigan under construction
http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/5470/32921845525bb37ae9c0bqk1.jpg
David Wilson/ flickr

Lake shore at Oak st. 1930's
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d119/chicagostyle123/Chicago%20Photos/Lakeshoredrive.jpg?t=1235208108

Overview in early 40's, with Oak street beach in foreground.
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d119/chicagostyle123/Chicago%20Photos/Goldcoastin1940s.jpg?t=1235208468

^^ great find

Leo Burnett Building under construction (1988). You can also see the Woods Theatre.
http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/8500/20443786830fee42a106o.jpg
Mark Susina/ flickr

in honor of the Sears Tower here are a few I have of it going up. These have been posted before.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f21/cbotnyse/historic%20photos%20chicago/sears-2.jpg


http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f21/cbotnyse/historic%20photos%20chicago/searstopped.jpg

Wow, the London House! If only that were still there, instead of that Corner Bakery.

I still can not understand why so many outstanding buildings were deliverately demolished in Chicago loop :ohno: In Europe there was destructive wars which completly distroyed many great cities, but Chicago...?


My paintings of old Chicago :)
http://members.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=redroseavenue

My paintings of old Chicago :)
http://members.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=redroseavenue

I like your paintings!

I still can not understand why so many outstanding buildings were deliverately demolished in Chicago loop :ohno: In Europe there was destructive wars which completly distroyed many great cities, but Chicago...?

[/url]

That is good point. The last major demolition spree was in 1989, with the demolition of over a dozen historic buildings that stood on Block 37, i.e., the block bounded by State, Washington, Dearborn, and Randolph.

Fortunately, after that 1989 debacle, demolitions in the Loop have slowed.

The last major Loop historic building to be demolished was the Mercantile Exchange Building, which was demolished in early 2003 in the face of a large public outcry led by Preservation Chicago. The site of this ornate limestone building is now a vacant lot at the northwest corner of Franklin and Washington.

Preservation Chicago demonstrated in the streets, gained many thousands of petition signatures, and sharply criticized the owners and city officials over the "Merc" demolition, leading to the creation of the Demolition Delay Ordinance.

Since the 2003 demolition of the Mercantile Exchange Building, no large historic Loop buildings have been demolished. However, since 2003 a number of low-rise Loop have undergone facadectomies, i.e., demolishing most of the building but retaining the facades. The Legacy project on Wabash is the most recent example.

The bottom line is that yes, tons of great buildings have been wrongly demolished. Currently, however, the public is more aware of the importance of historic buildings. No big ones will go down without a big fight.

I selected what I thought were the best images from the following Link. About half of the images that I am posting are available at a higher resolution than what I am posting. In this link, there are also some REALLY killer HIGH RESOLUTION old maps of Chicago. ENJOY!

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Chicago_by_decade

1800's - Chicago Central Depot

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/4116/1800schicagocentraldepo.jpg

1858 - Looking NE from courthouse

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/3660/1858chicagolookinnefroml.jpg

1871 - Chicago Fire Aftermath

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/4579/1871chicagoinruinsafter.jpg

1892 - Crain's Drugstore

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/4973/1892cainsdrugstorechicau.jpg

1900-1910 - 12th Street Bridge

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/5954/1900191012thstreetbridg.jpg

1900 - Art Institute

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/5879/1900artinstitute.jpg

1902 - Grand Crossing

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/6207/1902grandcrossing1902z.jpg

1907 - Wabash Ave.

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/1108/1907wabashavenue.jpg

1911 - Michigan Ave. - My favorite shot in this group!

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/6612/1911chicagomichiganaveno.jpg

1921 - Rush Street Swing Bridge

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/1058/1921rushstreetswingbrid.jpg

1925 - Lake Michigan

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/8969/1925lakemichigan.jpg

1943 - March

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/1966/1943marchchicago.jpg

1943 - April

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/3248/1943aprilpabstblueribbo.jpg

1987 - Clark Street Bridge

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/4248/1987chicagoriverclarkst.jpg

1987 - LSD Bridge

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/7305/1987lsdbridgeopen.jpg

1988 - October - Soldier Field

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/7246/1988octobersoldierfield.jpg

Fortunately, after that 1989 debacle, demolitions in the Loop have slowed.
The bottom line is that yes, tons of great buildings have been wrongly demolished. Currently, however, the public is more aware of the importance of historic buildings. No big ones will go down without a big fight.

Why not create the city ordinance which would not only prohibit demolition but also even a smallest structural or cosmetic changes to protected building without the writen permision from the city landmark commitee?

This is kind of laws they have in Europe, no building that was once entered by city landmark custodian/commity into the list of historic buildings can ever be touched. Those usually include all buildings constructed prior to WWII. To demolish anything they need a permition, which 99.9% of times is rejected::banana:

This image of Soldier Field from 1988 appears to be taken around the same phase of construction of the Leo Burnett Building in Spyguy's post below

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/7246/1988octobersoldierfield.jpg

Leo Burnett Building under construction (1988). You can also see the Woods Theatre.
http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/8500/20443786830fee42a106o.jpg
Mark Susina/ flickr

One more thing. I know what the real estate plots in Downtown Chicago is at the premium, but why not to expand Downtown, instead of knocking down old buildings in order to make space for a newer, taller building which would feet more tenants or office buildings?

I believe Chicago Downtown is way to small for the 3rd biggest city in US, I see it easly expanding beyond the I-90/94 all the way to Harlem Avenue at least. I do not understand the rationale acording to which Downtown has to be jammed into the 1-2 square miles? :crazy2:
Why not expand it?

^^ I think you mean Halsted. Most of the rail transit, for both residents and suburbanites, make the traditional Loop area the best place for businesses. Maybe with a Morgan Green Line stop the West Loop will gain some more businesses. But still, I can't see the West Loop becoming huge because it's not that convenient for Metra riders.

^^ I think you mean Halsted. Most of the rail transit, for both residents and suburbanites, make the traditional Loop area the best place for businesses. Maybe with a Morgan Green Line stop the West Loop will gain some more businesses. But still, I can't see the West Loop becoming huge because it's not that convenient for Metra riders.


As a subarban dweller I had no idea that the commuting/public transportation defined where downtown starts and where it ends. I meant the city planers, the town hall should have the authority to implement such downtown expansion, and the transport and other infrastructure would follow. Why not?

Plaza Hotel - Before:
http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/6206/3374346223795b3b8506o.jpg
ZeusMeister/ flickr
After (1968):
http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/9742/3374340747c2c53a128co.jpg
ZeusMeister/ flickr
You can also see the buildings directly south of the Plaza Hotel were demolished and so too was the the Red Star Inn (next to Germania Club).

What the above photos don't show is that the Red Star Inn looked terrific from the street-fronting sides, with a nice pointed roof.

If saved, the Red Star Inn would have helped make for a very cozy little street in front of the Germania Club....and they STILL could have put up the Sandburg Village buildings.

The demolition of the Plaza Hotel reveals another building destined for demolition, specifically the Eleanor Club, seen here as the beige building to the right.

Standing at the southwest corner of Dearborn and North Ave., the Eleanor Club was demolished a couple of years ago to make way for the Latin School Expansion.

Thanks for sharing those incredible shots, ryan. The one of Wabash is my favorite.

I am making a page for my parent's 63rd wedding anniversary tomorrow and would like to find a picture of the White City Roller Rink....it was where they met.

Also, my mother worked behind the stock yards, at a place called Libby and (blank)......it would be wonderful to surprise them with these pics.

I am making a page for my parent's 63rd wedding anniversary tomorrow and would like to find a picture of the White City Roller Rink....it was where they met.

Also, my mother worked behind the stock yards, at a place called Libby and (blank)......it would be wonderful to surprise them with these pics.

Don't have pictures of those items as far as I know, but if you tell me what neighborhoods they're in I might be able to help.

I am making a page for my parent's 63rd wedding anniversary tomorrow and would like to find a picture of the White City Roller Rink....it was where they met.

Also, my mother worked behind the stock yards, at a place called Libby and (blank)......it would be wonderful to surprise them with these pics.

In the archive (searchable online) of Chicago Daily News photos--just google that and you will find the collection easity--There are a few of photos of the inside of the Libby, McNeill, and Libby packing plant. You can find exterior photos of that area, located adjacent to the stockyards, and perhaps with a view of the plant, if you go to the research dept. of the Chicago History Museum.

The Chicago History Museum has many, many photos from sources other than their Chicago Daily News photos.To use their archives, all you need to do is sign in and submit your requests. Be patient and you'll do fine.

The same advice goes for the White City Amusement Park. The Daily News collection has plenty of exterior shots I am not sure if that's where the roller rink was located, but you can find out for sure while your at the Chicago History Museum.

Sometimes you find such nice people on the net........:)

Dyan

Then and Now: Aberdeen and Huron
http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/4107/3350786966c4ea51319fo.jpg
bluebike/ flickr

It seems that the "then" photos of Chicago always show that the city was a little more "urban" back in the day.

Is that fair? Or does Chicago seem just as urban (or more) to you guys?

It seems that the "then" photos of Chicago always show that the city was a little more "urban" back in the day.

Is that fair? Or does Chicago seem just as urban (or more) to you guys?

Yep. I don't know if that's really unique to Chicago, though. Changes in zoning/parking laws have made it illegal to build the Chicago of yesterday. Thank god it was so built up by the 40s/50s, or else we would be Atlanta or Phoenix.

Mercantile Exchange Building
http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/8467/3089922145824c43698e.jpg
ChicagoGeek/ flickr
http://img162.imageshack.us/img162/5442/3089895493a0a7c60f7c.jpg
ChicagoGeek/ flickr

First Federal Building
http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/6757/30903466851fb015a233.jpg
ChicagoGeek/ flickr
http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/8283/30903467259186e8fcbd.jpg
ChicagoGeek/ flickr

Thanks for those great photos. The old Mercantile Exchange building, the subject of a hard-fought preservation campaign, was demolished in the Winter-Spring of 2003. The building had a terrific old trading room behind those two-story arched windows.

The Merc site--located at the northwest corner of Franklin and Washington--has been a vacant lot since demolition with no current redevelopment plans. Furthermore no plans are likely for years to come. By the way, the buildng was 97 per cent occupied before the demolition plan was announced.

Now, about the "First Federal" building. This building, which was located at the southeast corner of Clark and Madison, was demolished in 2002. The First Federal building was actually The Tribune Building, designed by Holabird and Roche. The building had huge printing presses in the double-basement that "floated" on concrete floor rafts that were separate from the main building foundation to minimize printing press vibration effects on the building.

The Tribune Building brought us the news for the first two decades of the 20th Century, from the Wright Brothers through World War I, the Black Sox scandal and the early 1920's. It was from this building that the competition for the Tribune Tower design was organized.

Here's another tid-bit. In the early 1920's, the Tribune was using its new printing plant just north of the river and east of Michigan Avenue. In order to get the news articles from the Tribune Building to the printing plant, they used pneumatic tubes. That's right. The tubes ran all the way from Clark and Madison, under the river, and to the printing plant. Of course, when the Tribune Tower finally went up, things got a lot more convenient.

The Merc was such a loss, made even worse by the vacant lot left in its wake. I had no idea it was so highly occupied before the announcement, though. What a tremendous waste.

Yep. I don't know if that's really unique to Chicago, though. Changes in zoning/parking laws have made it illegal to build the Chicago of yesterday. Thank god it was so built up by the 40s/50s, or else we would be Atlanta or Phoenix.

True, I find that to be the case looking at old photos of any city. Cities just seemed more urban and dynamic pre-1950s. The fire escape ladders on the buildings for some reason adds to the urbanity of older pictures.

Chicago's parking laws are a joke and need to be tossed out. We have such a great public transit system compared to the rest of North America, why do we need to force these silly pro-car laws?

True, I find that to be the case looking at old photos of any city. Cities just seemed more urban and dynamic pre-1950s. The fire escape ladders on the buildings for some reason adds to the urbanity of older pictures.

Chicago's parking laws are a joke and need to be tossed out. We have such a great public transit system compared to the rest of North America, why do we need to force these silly pro-car laws?

That's a pretty weird value judgment to state that "cities just seemed more urban and dynamic pre-1950s." I'll agree with you in the sense that some cities tend to have more pedestrians back in those days (eg old pictures of Chicago's state & madison), but aesthetically I just don't buy it. Unless you're deliberately comparing before and after shots of a block of old buildings later demolished to make way for a surface lot, most cities of today in the US I would argue are much more built up and, in many cases, have more "urbanism" and "dynamism" than our parents ever could have imagined. Heck, the LA of today is much more pedestrian/dense than the LA of 50 years ago could have ever hoped to have been. Though I do miss the look of fire escape ladders, I won't go so far as to say that fire escape ladders are a necessary prerequesite for an urban/dynamic area (or else a lot of urbanizing neighborhoods in the western US wouldn't qualify).

Also, could someone clarify for me what's so bad about Chicago's parking laws?

Also, could someone clarify for me what's so bad about Chicago's parking laws?
Maybe they have changed recently, but as far as I know, developers are required to provide 1 off street parking spot for each unit. In cases of large multi-unit condos or apartments...this means 'lots' of space dedicated towards parking.
That's a pretty weird value judgment to state that "cities just seemed more urban and dynamic pre-1950s."
Jeeze, it's just my opinion. I never argued that cities aren't as built up. 'Built up' and urban are two different (but related) things.

Maybe they have changed recently, but as far as I know, developers are required to provide 1 off street parking spot for each unit. In cases of large multi-unit condos or apartments...this means 'lots' of space dedicated towards parking.

Jeeze, it's just my opinion. I never argued that cities aren't as built up. 'Built up' and urban are two different (but related) things.

I'd sort of assume developers would provide parking for condos whether required or not. The majority of people buying these things likely have cars and will not want to deal with street parking.

I'd sort of assume developers would provide parking for condos whether required or not. The majority of people buying these things likely have cars and will not want to deal with street parking.

Yes, but not always. Building those huge parking podiums costs money, around 30,000 per spot. If the city modified their laws, reducing the number of spots required but including a few dedicated spots for Zipcar or IGO, it will save developers money and reduce unnecessary congestion on surface streets.

Yes, but not always. Building those huge parking podiums costs money, around 30,000 per spot. If the city modified their laws, reducing the number of spots required but including a few dedicated spots for Zipcar or IGO, it will save developers money and reduce unnecessary congestion on surface streets.

I'm sure that while developers would be more than willing to accomodate fewer spots/dwelling unit if the market could accomodate it, I don't think the city would be very willing to accept greater public cost for a developer's lower private cost. I mean, hyde park was pretty bad, and it's nowhere near as built up (or in the process of being built up) as a lot of northern/near western areas.

Also, while I'm not the demographic probably to be buying into these condos, it seems a bit silly to *not* assume that I'd be willing to lay down 700 grand and also want a spot for a car anyway.

Jeeze, it's just my opinion. I never argued that cities aren't as built up. 'Built up' and urban are two different (but related) things.

sorry if my original statement came off as overly combative, but for me, those two are near-identical definitions, since for me "urban" tends to indicate a physical dimension.

I'm sure that while developers would be more than willing to accomodate fewer spots/dwelling unit if the market could accomodate it, I don't think the city would be very willing to accept greater public cost for a developer's lower private cost. I mean, hyde park was pretty bad, and it's nowhere near as built up (or in the process of being built up) as a lot of northern/near western areas.

Also, while I'm not the demographic probably to be buying into these condos, it seems a bit silly to *not* assume that I'd be willing to lay down 700 grand and also want a spot for a car anyway.



sorry if my original statement came off as overly combative, but for me, those two are near-identical definitions, since for me "urban" tends to indicate a physical dimension.

You're narrowing down the high rise condo market to a much smaller segment than reality in order to maintain your argument.

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/3687/33148737052b00bd2f7fb.jpg
funsky1/ flickr

^ Great pic.

The demolition of the Merc was so fucking stupid that it makes steam come out of my ears.

COME THE HELL ON, MAN!

You're narrowing down the high rise condo market to a much smaller segment than reality in order to maintain your argument.

my argument still stands even if you exclude my statement about 700 grand condos.

The demolition of the Merc was so...

Which building above was the Merc? The tall one at the north end of Michigan Avenue, or the big one to the East of the Tribune?

Maybe someone mentioned this earlier but there are a lot of very good old Chicago photos here

http://webapp1.dlib.indiana.edu/cushman/index.jsp


The main UIC library has a huge collection of old Chicago photographs in their special collections, I think it's called the James Parker collection, but I might be off on that. The drawback of that is that you cannot make your own copies, and copies done by the library are costly.

It beats me why so many suberb historical buildings in the Chicago Loop area have been demolished and replaced with the newer, taller with more rental space in it...besides the obvious economic reasons?:crazy2:

Wouldn't it be easier to keep expanding the downtown/business area, as it is done in other large cities in US and the world? You know like...here is a old town, here is the new city :)...

I'm glad though to see new highrise condos spring up south of Downtown, along Michigan Ave!!! As for me, Chicago Downtown is way to small, and clastrophobic.
Of course this might be bad news for some, who can not afford to live in those new developments close to downotown, but the entire soutside and westside of Chicago is just begging to be rehabbed, so many beautifull houses are being wasted, wide boulevards...that is perfect for mixed income, residential and bussiness...I hope soon it will change for better.

^Sarat, we'll be happy to discuss this issue—but in another thread. This one is for old photos.

^Sarat, we'll be happy to discuss this issue—but in another thread. This one is for old photos.


Sure, such beautifull photos of old Chicago great buildings that unfortunatelly had been demolished, because someone greedy wanted to build bigger one, make more money...And it just had to be build in the excllusive center of Chicago, there was no other way!???

But WHY couldn't they build new city next to the old town Chicago???...you know just the way they do it everywere in the world except the US....

Oops we can not speak about it because "this thread is only about old photos" :nuts:

http://chicagopc.info/street__aerial_views__downtown.htm

http://chicagopc.info/street__aerial_views__downtown.htm

Neat collection!!! Where did you find it, do you actually own those vintage Chicago postcards?

^ Great pic.

The demolition of the Merc was so fucking stupid that it makes steam come out of my ears.

COME THE HELL ON, MAN!

The Merc is not in the photo that your referencing..but youre right on with the sentiment. That lot is still empty.

The Merc is not in the photo that your referencing..

^ I'm well aware of that :)

I was referencing pics posted in the previous page in which the Merc was shown

The Great Gallery District Fire - April 15, 1989
Brunswick Balke-Collender Factory - Adler & Sullivan
Superior and Orleans
http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/2721/22291249361fcaf80d52b.jpg
Genial 23/ flickr
http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/5408/22291249305959a464fcb.jpg
Genial 23/ flickr
http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/7391/2229124934e3f150d82fb.jpg
Genial 23/ flickr
http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/8523/2229124932b74c08cbb1b.jpg
Genial 23/ flickr

http://www.chicagolife.net/content/art/The_Great_Gallery_Fire

...Although no proper estimate could ever be given, it was said then that $50 million worth of art went up in smoke, making it one of the greatest art losses ever.

...By 1986, there were 25 galleries in the building, making it one of the greatest concentrations of galleries anywhere in the world, including New York's SoHo. On Friday night gallery openings, streets were blocked off, and the crowds were so immense that it was often hard to enter the complex.

..."It would have been a much different place had it not happened," chimes Zelazny, who to this day doesn't keep a lot of work in one place. Along with displaying her pieces at Carl Hammer Gallery, she's an associate professor at the Art Institute. "The art community would have had a center instead of being split. There was a lot of momentum, and then it just stopped. Chicago was, for a brief period in the mid-'80s, a viable alternative to New York City for the young artist. To this day, all my students pack and go when they graduate."

Wow. I've never heard of that fire before. It really makes you wonder what Chicago's arts scene would've been like if that had never happened.

Scanned from my collection old negatives/slides:

http://www.oranga.com/pics1/scan8861.jpg

http://www.oranga.com/pics1/scan2208.jpg

http://www.oranga.com/pics1/scan3010.jpg

http://www.oranga.com/pics1/scan3011.jpg

http://www.oranga.com/pics1/scan315.jpg

http://www.oranga.com/pics1/scan8856.jpg

http://www.oranga.com/pics1/scan32.jpg

http://www.oranga.com/pics1/scan23.jpg

http://www.oranga.com/pics1/scan24.jpg

Excellent! Thank you for those.

You may be interested in the free Polaroid Dust & Scratch Removal Utility. (http://www.polaroid.com/service/software/poladsr/poladsr.html) I find it does wonders for my old slides when I scan them.

The photo with the two elevated tracks is New York, probably The Bowery.

http://www.oranga.com/pics1/scan8856.jpg


Whoa... I'm assuming this is 19th century Chicago? What street is that?

^^ I was going to ask the same thing...

No, as noted above, it's The Bowery in New York City. The streetcars are using conduits (no trolley poles or overhead wires) and are labeled "Third Avenue Rail Road."

No, as noted above, it's The Bowery in New York City. The streetcars are using conduits (no trolley poles or overhead wires) and are labeled "Third Avenue Rail Road."

Sorry about that. Thanks for identifying the right city!

Scanned from my collection old negatives/slides:

http://www.oranga.com/pics1/scan8861.jpg



Holy crap! I could stare at that one for hours. Shame about the Morrison Hotel.

Great pics. :)

I've been trying to figure out the date. It was taken from the Board of Trade (1931). The Merchandise Mart (1930) appears nearly finished, yet the Home Insurance Building appears to still be standing on the site of the Field Building (1932). I always thought their construction would have overlapped somewhat. And where's the Hotel Inter-Continental (Medinah Athletic Club, 1929)?

Is that dome in the lower right the Henry Ives Cobb Federal Building?

the destruction of that building is probably the worst travesty in the city's history, architecturally speaking.

Yes. And you can see the gables of the Masonic Temple Building just to the right of the Morrison Hotel.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d119/chicagostyle123/Chicago%20History/Chi1954.jpg?t=1243395464

http://www.streetsandsoul.com/chicago/old02.jpg

^^ WOW! That first one is great!

^^ WOW! That first one is great!true that. what a great find.

Man, it's always so weird to see Chicago without its iconic buildings.

And where's the Hotel Inter-Continental (Medinah Athletic Club, 1929)?

Actually, just a slice is visible to the right of Jewlers/Pure Oil.

all I can say is thank you for those who have found such gems. keep em comin

http://achicagosojourn.blogspot.com/


this is a very good website where the author
photographs hidden forgotten parts of chicago
that are historical and just plain weird.

Better than most

The Plantation Theater in the Jazz district.

http://www.communitywalk.com/photos/1/78/15221_l.jpg

The Stratford Theater

http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/bobhope/images/vc17.jpg

Soup Kitchen during the Depression

http://www.ssa.gov/history/pics/acoffee.jpg

Is the Plantation still around? That's where Louis Armstrong got his Chicago start.

Is the Plantation still around?

No, it burned in 1927.

I lived at 33rd and Michigan for 3 years. I wish I'd had some sense of the history of the area while I was still there. It's only now, as I've begun to feel homesick/nostalgic that I've really begun to learn about the area.

Is the Plantation still around? That's where Louis Armstrong got his Chicago start.

Armstrong first came to Chicago in 1922, where he performed at the Lincoln Gradens (459 E 31st St @ Cottage Grove)

Here's what Armstrong had to say:

When King Joe Oliver sent for me to leave New Orleans in 1922 and join him at the Lincoln Gardens to play second trumpet to his first trumpet, I jumped sky-high with joy. The day I received the telegram from Papa Joe - that's what I called him - I was playing a funeral in New Orleans and all the members of the Tuxedo Brass Band told me not to go because Papa Joe and his band were having some kind of union trouble...I arrived in Chicago about eleven o'clock the night of July 8, 1922, at the Illinois Central Station at Twelfth and Michigan Avenue. I'll never forget it. The King was already at work. I had no one to meet me. I took a cab and went directly to the Lincoln Gardens


Armstrong left Chicago for New York, but returned in 1925. It was in '25 that he played at the Sunset Cafe (at 315 East 35th St, now an Ace Hardware store) across the street from the Plantation.


<Please correct me if I've flubbed the details everyone :okay: >

http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/2075/coliseum.jpg

http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/369/lexingtonhotel.jpg

http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/6895/caponessuite.jpg
Photos from Chicago, Turn of the Century Photographs

t george comin outta nowhere! thanks for sharing, great pics

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d119/chicagostyle123/Chicago%20History/c-1.jpg?t=1243910282

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/n0089/n008947.jpg

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/n0850/n085047.jpg

Here's a few more. All photos from "Chicago, At the Turn of the Century Photographs" by Larry Viskochil, CHS

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/9422/wellsstbridge.jpg

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/6977/watertower.jpg

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/6868/unionstockyards.jpg

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/7157/swaterstmarket.jpg

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/8387/rushstdock.jpg

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/3307/reliance.jpg

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/9906/newberry.jpg

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/4396/nwcornerrandolphdearbor.jpg

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/8375/iroquoistheater.jpg

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/294/lasallerandolph.jpg

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/9034/fields.jpg

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/3540/chicagoclarkbldg.jpg

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/9068/1stregimentarmorymichav.jpg

^1 st. Regiment Armory Michigan ave. & 16th st.

amazing photos, thanks for sharing

Chicagophotoshop, my pleasure, I love this old stuff. More shots.

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/6301/lfestationchicagoriver.jpg

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/1282/swaterstmarket2.jpg

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/1285/statestbridge.jpg

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/9415/potomacapts.jpg

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/2537/chicagoriveratrushst.jpg

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/639/augustanahospital.jpg


All photos from "Chicago, At the Turn of the Century Photographs" by Larry Viskochil, CHS

my great grandfather worked at South Water Street Market. I never saw pics of it like that before. awesome stuff. thanks for posting.

http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/825/homeinsuranceview.jpg

http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/4632/maxwellst.jpg

http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/8637/rushstdockcc.jpg

http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/7151/fisherbldng.jpg

http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/7426/grandcentralsta.jpg

http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/295/dearbornstation.jpg

http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/9999/cubswestsidebp.jpg

http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/4601/vanburenstatestel.jpg

http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/9352/germania.jpg

http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/4920/fireboatsq.jpg

photos from "Chicago, At the Turn of the Century Photographs" by Larry Viskochil, CHS

amazing photos

http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/7760/wabash.jpg

http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/8776/stockx.jpg

http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/1047/statest.jpg

http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/772/southwaterst1910.jpg

http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/8708/lasallesta.jpg

http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/6662/lasallehotel.jpg

http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/4374/bostonstorestate.jpg

"Chicago, At the Turn of the Century Photographs" by Larry Viskochil, CHS

Ahh... all those streetcars! Does anyone know how influential the automobile industry was in getting rid of all the streetcars in Chicago?

Follow up: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/chi-chicagodays-laststreetcar-story,0,1329750.story

"Horses pulled the first streetcars, but soon San Francisco pioneered a new system, with cars hooked to a moving cable underneath the street. Chicago's lines were steadily rebuilt in the 1880s until the city had the world's largest cable-car system."


Wow, I didn't know Chicago once had the largest system in the world.

^No influence at all, except that Chicagoans had bought a lot of automobiles, and after the war streetcar ridership plunged while growing numbers of cars and trucks made it harder and harder to run streetcars in mixed traffic. Hundreds of miles of track and a dozen electrical substations needed to be replaced or renewed. Unions and aldermen made it very difficult to convert the streetcars to one-man operation. Rational discussion of that issue was not aided by the terrible 1950 accident and fire in which 33 people died, unable to escape after the streetcar hit a gasoline truck.

Although CSL had ordered 600 new PCCs just after the war, CTA decided the future was in an all-bus surface system. They negotiated a deal where they were able to send many of the streetcars back to the car builder, and a variety of parts—from overhead lights to windows and seats to the PCC trucks—were used in the construction of Chicago's 6000-series rapid transit cars.

Since it's a photo thread, here's one from the 1950s showing a prewar PCC on Wabash at Jackson. Remarkably, every building in the background is still there.

http://i40.tinypic.com/6tcjtc.jpg

http://i40.tinypic.com/6tcjtc.jpg

That's a great picture, and I love that it's a Number 4 to Cottage Grove. :okay:

^ Great photo, Mr Downtown. Love that Central Camera sign and it hasn't changed much in all these years.

http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/1252/trump2.jpg

WOW! That was awesome! Great Photos!

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZaMGqzkNwLY&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZaMGqzkNwLY&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

State street looking north 1944
http://i771.photobucket.com/albums/xx358/Chicagostyle1973/Statestreet1944.jpg

Wells street Early 1950's
http://i771.photobucket.com/albums/xx358/Chicagostyle1973/RiverNorth1954.jpg


Art Institute 1927?
http://i771.photobucket.com/albums/xx358/Chicagostyle1973/7aff32baa585f899_large.jpg

These photos are absolutely stunning. I really like the ones from LIFE.

1933 World's Fair: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adkIYRKJO5c&feature=related

Sullivan Center (Originally Schlesinger & Meyer Store, AKA Carson Pirie Scott Building), circa 1904:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/wjcordier/carsonp1.jpg
http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/cas/fnart/fa267/sullivan.html

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/wjcordier/carsonp3.jpg
http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/cas/fnart/fa267/sullivan.html

State St.

http://img2.imageshack.us/img2/6623/masoniconstate.jpg


Palmolive Building

http://img2.imageshack.us/img2/3666/palmolivebldg.jpg


Marina Towers

http://img2.imageshack.us/img2/4217/marinah.jpg


Conrad Hilton for any Mad Men fans.

http://img2.imageshack.us/img2/9661/conradhilton.jpg

Life photos from images.google.com/images?q=chicago+il&q=source%3Alife

http://img2.imageshack.us/img2/3666/palmolivebldg.jpg
What an awesome photo!

In the photo of the kid throwing the rock, if you start at the Palmolive Building and let your eyes move downward, you will encounter the steeple of the Scottish Rite Cathedral (originally Unity Church), then a row of flats fronting LaSalle Street, then the Brown Line elevated tracks running parallel to Orleans Street, then cars parked facing the west along Walton Street.

Am I to take it that this is the part of town that is to become Cabrini Green?

Am I to take it that this is the part of town that is to become Cabrini Green?

Yes, that's right.

AMAZING!!!

September 1968

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/303/september19682.jpg

September 1968

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/8379/september19681.jpg

April 1972 - Notice Construction of Standard Oil Building

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/420/april19721.jpg

April 1972 - Notice Sears Tower (I think) on Left, Standard Oil on Right

http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/3915/april19722.jpg

April 1974

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/7103/april1974.jpg

August 1974

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/9861/aug1974.jpg

1974 - Mark_L_Lunuza - Flickr

http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/7794/markllunuza1974flickr.jpg

1977

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/6805/september1977.jpg

All Pictures This set are from: zeusofhollywood at Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/zeusofhollywood/sets/72157615748797666/


1950's

http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/4913/1950s01.jpg

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/8864/1950s02.jpg

http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/507/1950s03.jpg

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/9608/1950s04.jpg

1953

http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/5663/195301.jpg

1954

http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/4043/195401.jpg

1955

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/6661/195501.jpg

http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/7530/195502.jpg

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/6373/195503.jpg

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/8620/195504.jpg

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/7505/195505.jpg

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/2153/195506.jpg

http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/3073/195507.jpg

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/6131/195508.jpg

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/3739/195509.jpg

1956

http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/3225/195601.jpg

1958

http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/4602/195801.jpg

1960

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/4452/196001.jpg

1960’s

http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/1023/1960s01.jpg

http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/4526/1960s02.jpg

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/7343/1960s03.jpg

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/351/1960s04.jpg

http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/1315/1960s05.jpg

1962

http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/6140/196201.jpg

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/4425/196202.jpg

1963

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/534/196301.jpg

1964

http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/2418/196401.jpg

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/8559/196402.jpg

1965

http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/3826/196501.jpg

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/7982/196502.jpg

http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/3161/196503.jpg

http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/2456/196504.jpg

http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/7599/196505.jpg

http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/1355/196506.jpg

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/8398/196507.jpg

http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/396/196508.jpg

1966

http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/4374/196605.jpg

http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/2289/196601.jpg

http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/5347/196602.jpg

http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/7843/196603.jpg

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/7620/196604.jpg

1967

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/4827/196710.jpg

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/6439/196701.jpg

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/2135/196702.jpg

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/2587/196703.jpg

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/5786/196704.jpg

http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/3189/196705.jpg

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/7646/196706.jpg

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/8711/196707.jpg

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/5474/196708.jpg

http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/9941/196709.jpg

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/4040/196723.jpg

http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/3993/196711.jpg

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/7308/196712.jpg

http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/6344/196713.jpg

http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/1788/196714.jpg

http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/2127/196715.jpg

http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/3394/196716.jpg

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/2025/196717.jpg

http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/3600/196718.jpg

http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/7715/196719.jpg

http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/9874/196720.jpg

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/1954/196721.jpg

http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/8802/196722.jpg

1968

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/2349/196801.jpg

http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/9176/196802.jpg

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/8817/196803.jpg

http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/7002/196804.jpg

http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/976/196805.jpg

1971

http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/2073/197101.jpg

http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/2871/197102.jpg

1972

http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/5972/197201.jpg

1973

http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/5346/1973johnhancock.jpg

1975

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/3382/197501.jpg

http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/3493/197502.jpg

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/7531/197503.jpg

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/5531/197504.jpg

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/1770/197505.jpg

http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/496/197506.jpg

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/1367/197507.jpg

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/1485/197508.jpg

1980’s

http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/1142/1980s01.jpg

1981

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/3630/198101.jpg

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/838/198102.jpg

1986

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/5450/198601.jpg

All Images this Set are from:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/1214993@N23/

1948

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/6743/194801.jpg

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/5844/194802.jpg

1950’s

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/4913/1950s01.jpg

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/8864/1950s02.jpg

1965

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/3826/196501.jpg

1972

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/1989/197202.jpg

Full Size of Previous Image (sorry for size)

http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/5972/197201.jpg

1979

http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/2012/197901.jpg

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/7482/197902.jpg

Wow. those are some great photos. Thank you!

1958

http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/4602/195801.jpg


Not possible to be 1958. Note UofC GSB building in foreground an Rush condos background and AMA and Marriott background.

Nice Post ryan81.

It is amazing to see how much Lakeshore East and Streeterville have changed over the past 40-50 years.

Amazing! I think this is ome of my favorite threads! Question, is it just me, or does everything look REALLY dirty in some of the old photos?!?!

Wow, these are AWESOME pictures! The showcase of a great city in the making! Where did you get the pics ryan81? I doubt that the Chicago History Museum has half the collection you do.

The more I look at old pictures of Chicago, the more I can't help but put them into 2 categories: pre-Sears/Hancock/Aon, and post-Sears/Hancock/Aon. The skyline looks absolutely naked without them.

1958

http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/4602/195801.jpg


Not possible to be 1958. Note UofC GSB building in foreground an Rush condos background and AMA and Marriott background.

It is possible that some of the dates are off. I used the dates supplied by the source for the pictures. If somebody can more accurately pinpoint the date, we can change it.

AWESOME pictures...but my god, those parking lots are appalling

AWESOME pictures...but my god, those parking lots are appalling

^ And a good many of them are gone.

It gives one a good sense of perspective. As much as we sometimes lament the surface parking lots & underdeveloped land we see downtown, all in all over the decades we've seen a great amount of such land developed towards higher uses. So yes, things are moving, on the whole, in the right direction.

All Photographs This Great Set are from:

Joe+Jeanette Archie at Flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jarchie/collections/72157616284990338

1948

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/6743/194801.jpg

1949

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/1120/194901.jpg

http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/9326/194902.jpg

1950

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/6881/195001.jpg

http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/4415/195002.jpg

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/8176/195003.jpg

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/2473/195004.jpg

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/6246/195005.jpg

http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/7460/195006.jpg

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/8783/195007.jpg

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/231/195008.jpg

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/3061/195009.jpg

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/4553/195010.jpg

http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/8015/195011.jpg

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/5967/195012.jpg

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/305/195013.jpg

http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/1573/195014.jpg

http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/5794/195015.jpg

http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/8213/195026.jpg

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/9339/195016.jpg

http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/3015/195017.jpg

http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/6349/195018x.jpg

http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/5120/195019u.jpg

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/3273/195020h.jpg

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/8152/195021.jpg

http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/9707/195022f.jpg

http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/2633/195023.jpg

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/6158/195024.jpg

http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/2337/195025p.jpg

http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/8213/195026.jpg

http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/3466/195027.jpg

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/209/195028.jpg

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/4827/195029.jpg

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/5688/195030h.jpg

1951

http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/3865/195101.jpg

1952

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/7389/195201.jpg

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/7136/195202.jpg

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/3120/195203.jpg

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/5535/195204.jpg

http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/8120/195205.jpg

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/6042/195206.jpg

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/9814/195207.jpg

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/945/195208.jpg

1954

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/4043/195401.jpg

http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/5540/195402.jpg

http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/5227/195403.jpg

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/3272/195404.jpg

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/2331/195405.jpg

http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/1639/195406.jpg

1955

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/6661/195501.jpg

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/7382/195502o.jpg

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/598/195503m.jpg

http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/8620/195504.jpg

http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/7505/195505.jpg

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/2153/195506.jpg

1957

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/4801/195701.jpg

http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/2761/195702.jpg

1958

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/4602/195801.jpg

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/1379/195802.jpg

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/9469/195803.jpg

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/8538/195804.jpg

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/2285/195805.jpg

http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/1883/195806.jpg

1970s

http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/1323/1970s01.jpg

1974

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/2053/197401y.jpg

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/3350/197402.jpg

http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/4404/197403.jpg

http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/8338/197404.jpg

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/1151/197405.jpg

http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/9823/197406.jpg

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/1166/197407.jpg

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/2391/197408.jpg

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/7514/197409.jpg

http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/6350/197410.jpg

http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/5092/197411.jpg

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/2343/197412.jpg

http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/3223/197413.jpg

http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/1466/197414.jpg

http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/6712/197415.jpg

http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/1499/197416.jpg

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/1549/197417.jpg

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/9468/197418.jpg

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/6945/197419.jpg

http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/3020/197420.jpg

http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/2661/197421.jpg

http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/1779/197422e.jpg

B]Images Below: Citebehr – Flickr:[/B]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24898087@N06/3828190001/


1973

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/2512/197301.jpg

http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/4203/197302.jpg

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/3908/197303.jpg

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/1849/197304.jpg

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/4991/197401.jpg

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/3350/197402.jpg

Images Below – fakeisthenewreal – Flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fakeisthenewreal/2417819124/

Early 1970s

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/6554/standardoil.jpg

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/2484/searstower.jpg

Images Below – Lee_Balterman – Flickr:

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/6361/196701.png

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/1754/1960s01.png

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/6821/1973circa01.jpg

http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/1323/1970s01.jpg

http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/9161/197101z.jpg

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/2484/searstower.jpg

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/1555/marinacityelevationdraw.jpg

Images Below – Lee_Balterman – Flickr:

http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/2512/197301.jpg

KostonPhotograpy – Flickr:

1950

http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/779/1950kostonphotographyfl.jpg

Late 1960’s?

http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/3835/19kostonphotographyflic.jpg

Charles Cushman:

1958

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/6906/1958charlescushman.jpg

1963

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/1782/1963charlescushman.jpg

Mindfrieze – Flickr:

1960’s

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/254/1960smindfriezeflickr.jpg

MisterScantastic – Flickr:

1963

http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/117/1963misterscantasticfli.jpg

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/117/1963misterscantasticfli.jpg

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/4780/1963misterscantasticflic.jpg

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/117/1963misterscantasticfli.jpg

http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/117/1963misterscantasticfli.jpg

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/117/1963misterscantasticfli.jpg

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/2369/1963misterscantasticflii.jpg

Robernstring – Flickr:

1968

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/8593/1968robernstringflickr0.jpg

WhatMakesThePieShop – Flickr:

1963
http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/2112/1963whatmakesthepieshop.jpg

EdHume3 – Flickr:

1968

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/3968/1968edhume3flickr.jpg

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/4159/1968edhume3flickr02.jpg

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/8220/1968edhume3flickr03.jpg

http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/6913/1968edhume3flickr04.jpg

JessAnderson – Flickr:

1968

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/6727/1968jessandersonflickr.jpg

Robernstring – Flickr:

1968

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/8593/1968robernstringflickr0.jpg

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/8593/1968robernstringflickr0.jpg

^The second one, of Streeterville, is probably winter 1975-76. Water Tower Place is under construction.

Sweet!

I thought these would fit in here, from 'hoogbouw010''s collection.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=46071103#post46071103


Chicago, Tribune Tower Observatory

7. Vroeger was er een observatiedek op de Tribune Tower.
http://www.oranga.com/pics1/scan9008.jpg

8.
http://www.oranga.com/pics1/scan9009.jpg

9.
http://www.oranga.com/pics1/scan9010.jpg

10. Kijkend richting noord-oost.
http://www.oranga.com/pics1/scan9011.jpg

11.
http://www.oranga.com/pics1/scan9012.jpg

12.
http://www.oranga.com/pics1/scan9018.jpg

KostonPhotograpy – Flickr:

1950

http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/779/1950kostonphotographyfl.jpg
The old federal hall building (dome in the center) is just a sickening loss. I just can't fathom how that could be torn down. if anyone can find some old pics of that, that would be great!

here's one from wiki...

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f21/cbotnyse/historic%20photos%20chicago/755px-Chicago_Federal_Court_1961.jpg

^^^ Agreed. It would be amazing to see it surrounded by high rises. Did all of the black government/federal buildings replace it?

http://chicagoismynewblog.wordpress.com

^^^ Agreed. It would be amazing to see it surrounded by high rises. Did all of the black government/federal buildings replace it?
yes I believe so. It was formerly filling block bound by Jackson, Adams, Clark and Dearborn streets.

If anyone has the book, Lost Chicago (http://www.amazon.com/Lost-Chicago-David-Garrard-Lowe/dp/0823028712), the paperback has the interior of the dome on the cover.

I will copy the caption inside the book,

One of the most effective ways of making a city habitable is the creation of a great enclosed public space. Among America's supreme interiors was the 300 foot high octagonal rotunda of Henry Ives Cobb's Federal Building, completed in 1905. The rotunda, inspired by the monuments of Imperial Rome, was crowned by a 100 feet in diameter, larger than the Capitol in Washington. More the $2 million was spent on its polished granite, its white and Siena marble, its mosaics and gilded bronze. At the center of the composition, Cobb placed a trompe-l'oeil oculus or eye where white clouds perpetually drifted across an azure sky. This unabashed expression of civic pride and Beaux Arts panache was destroyed in 1965-1966.

Life photos from the 30s 40s & 50s.

http://images.google.com/images?q=chicago+il&q=source%3Alife

http://img121.imageshack.us/img121/3553/fbf914790b0a9a08large.jpg

http://img121.imageshack.us/img121/5001/f52806dffbfd5ef8landing.jpg

http://img121.imageshack.us/img121/9913/ee8a4bf4e3fb69a3large.jpg

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/9331/bbccb3888512330blarge.jpg

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/650/b8845fab4a79c041landing.jpg

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/4440/93944ba2661baa3alarge.jpg

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/2931/acc5b8d52460b1aflarge.jpg

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/9586/61268f77efc2a97flarge.jpg

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/4357/2709a45e7fe0e3e7large.jpg

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/5308/603ebd6ecc9c9372large.jpg

http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/6559/207fbce6af2de511large.jpg

http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/958/8d55fef1ba41413elarge.jpg

http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/8010/4be63a5448aca930large.jpg

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/1433/c79672d2702dcd30large.jpg

From the Charles W. Cushman Photographic Collection:


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2653/4110617750_c25a697728_o_d.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2746/4109854437_35948b342e_o_d.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2780/4110618122_66e15cbd2c_o_d.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2545/4109859235_738b210634_o_d.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2507/4109859391_9a4086b527_o_d.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2653/4110623364_59e518c403_o_d.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2487/4110623566_73a34143bf_o_d.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2500/4109859823_633a2327b5_o_d.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2754/4110623878_4196f90133_o_d.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2720/4110624024_edb1411652_o_d.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2501/4109853957_276445a3f8_o_d.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2674/4109853081_2e10282909_o_d.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2723/4110616774_60e4a7946a_o_d.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2668/4109851877_133876825b_o_d.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2599/4109853811_9422b009dc_o_d.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2794/4109853673_d0e1fcb3c4_o_d.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2719/4109853491_e90fa0e157_o_d.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2685/4109854083_23924d2fbd_o_d.jpg

More Chicago in color, 1940-1960:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2584/4109839995_79abc39862_o_d.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2595/4110603636_0378f0f745_o_d.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2785/4109840927_3cc6b2c799_o_d.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2549/4110513984_dc8085ba37_o_d.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2654/4110521966_0a874f343a_o_d.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2602/4109852341_db26dfebef_o_d.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2715/4109852401_139a66a64e_o_d.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2614/4110615556_99d6003c7e_o_d.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2565/4110731438_6f406b86d2_o_d.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2492/4110362502_b44320e22c_o_d.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2769/4110336334_f7bd4d21c8_o_d.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2547/4110441952_82e6df0807_o_d.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2491/4110422892_00c96fdbb4_o_d.jpg

Scanned from my own collection of old negatives:

1. May 15 1956.
http://www.oranga.com/pics2/scan4012.jpg

2. From rooftop 188 Randolph Tower, Sept 23 1955.
http://www.oranga.com/pics2/scan4013.jpg

3. Chicago Temple Building, Sept 26 1953.
http://www.oranga.com/pics2/scan4014.jpg

4. Rush St. Bridge, 1900 (from copy negative).
http://www.oranga.com/pics2/scan4015.jpg

5. From rooftop Mandel-Lear Building, Jan 14 1962.
http://www.oranga.com/pics2/scan4016.jpg

6. Michigan Av. Bridge, Oct 9 1961.
http://www.oranga.com/pics2/scan4017.jpg

7. June 1934.
http://www.oranga.com/pics2/scan4018.jpg

^Thanks for the images. Incidentally, the bottom one is flopped. As you probably know, writing was scratched on the emulsion side, so will always be wrong-reading.

^Thanks for the images. Incidentally, the bottom one is flopped. As you probably know, writing was scratched on the emulsion side, so will always be wrong-reading.

Thank you for pointing that out, I couldnt figure out why that picture looked so weird.

4. Rush St. Bridge, 1900 (from copy negative).
http://www.oranga.com/pics2/scan4015.jpg


The river used to have so much energy!

Looking back of that shot of LSD in the Gold Coast, it makes me want to return the street back to a peaceful, two lane boulevard. It looked so much more lovely....kinda like Ocean Drive in Miami Beach. Why do we need a multi-lane highway along our lakefront?

In the spring, when all the lumber ships came from Wisconsin and Michigan, sometimes ships were tied up three deep. The congestion of the river was a significant problem a century ago, and behind several of the improvements recommended in the Plan of Chicago.

Here's a colorized version on an old postcard:

http://www.chicagocarto.com/burnham/images/rushstreetbridge.jpg

Originally Posted by hoogbouw010 Scanned from my own collection of old negatives:

1. May 15 1956.
http://www.oranga.com/pics2/scan4012.jpg

Thanks, hoogbouw, outstanding photos from your collection. If you have any others of Chicago, please post. Love these old images.

2. From rooftop 188 Randolph Tower, Sept 23 1955.
http://www.oranga.com/pics2/scan4013.jpg

Do these almost twin buildings still exist or did they tear them down with that dome building??:ohno: If so I hope whoever did that is rotting in hell right now:devil:

^Still there. One North LaSalle (1930, Vitzthum & Burns) and 33 North LaSalle (1930, Graham, Anderson, Probst & White). Both recently rehabbed and in no danger.

^^ Okay thanks I don't know how I never spotted them before, guess I haven't been paying attention lately

This city just oozes character, doesn't it?

Chicago 1939-44

From the Charles W. Cushman Collection http://webapp1.dlib.indiana.edu/cushman/index.jsp

http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/archives/cushman/full/P02386.jpg

http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/archives/cushman/full/P02599.jpg

http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/archives/cushman/full/P02649.jpg

http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/archives/cushman/full/P02199.jpg

http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/archives/cushman/full/P02256.jpg

http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/archives/cushman/full/P02722.jpg

http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/archives/cushman/full/P02122.jpg

http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/archives/cushman/full/P02121.jpg

http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/archives/cushman/full/P01663.jpg

http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/archives/cushman/full/P02186.jpg

http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/archives/cushman/full/P02185.jpg

http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/archives/cushman/full/P02196.jpg

http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/archives/cushman/full/P02197.jpg

http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/archives/cushman/full/P02205.jpg

http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/archives/cushman/full/P02210.jpg

http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/archives/cushman/full/P02216.jpg

http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/archives/cushman/full/P02221.jpg

http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/archives/cushman/full/P02220.jpg

http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/archives/cushman/full/P02219.jpg

http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/archives/cushman/full/P02222.jpg

http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/archives/cushman/full/P02291.jpg

http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/archives/cushman/full/P02398.jpg

http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/archives/cushman/full/P02399.jpg

http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/archives/cushman/full/P02542.jpg

http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/archives/cushman/full/P02541.jpg

http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/archives/cushman/full/P02543.jpg

http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/archives/cushman/full/P02853.jpg

http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/archives/cushman/full/P02857.jpg

http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/archives/cushman/full/P02858.jpg

http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/archives/cushman/full/P02854.jpg

http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/archives/cushman/full/P02866.jpg

http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/archives/cushman/full/P02887.jpg

http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/archives/cushman/full/P02912.jpg

http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/archives/cushman/full/P02909.jpg

http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/archives/cushman/full/P02910.jpg

http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/archives/cushman/full/P02911.jpg

http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/archives/cushman/full/P02914.jpg

http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/archives/cushman/full/P02913.jpg

http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/archives/cushman/full/P02394.jpg

Such fantastic photos, and it is always such a shock to see how much Chicago has changed only a 50-70 year window. What is most impressive is the fact that there was such a long period that nothing new was built there until the Modern Era boom happened, which if that never happened Chicago would probably be an old rust belt city that we just talked about in its heyday and how much potential the city once had.

1964-72

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4047/4279059530_85fef0441e_o_d.jpg
1964

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4070/4280626848_08b0c519ed_o_d.jpg
1964

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2776/4279842145_61f4406345_o_d.jpg
1964

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2709/4279059586_b184ab7089_o_d.jpg
1967

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4069/4279842177_810981e7a7_o_d.jpg
1967

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2716/4276904807_02e90f6afb_o_d.jpg
1970

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2756/4280978515_ffe6f6477b_o_d.jpg
1970

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4001/4278311331_c7cc94e91b_o_d.jpg
1970

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2681/4284001874_44d690a479_o_d.jpg
1970

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4054/4284002104_41f1cd3f3b_o_d.jpg
1970

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2743/4278311267_ed3a8524cb_o_d.jpg
1970

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4065/4284002308_f902d8c45f_o_d.jpg
1970

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4011/4280978477_63132dc8a1_o_d.jpg
1970

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4048/4277651540_ecb2c554cf_b_d.jpg
1970

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4032/4284462009_c924baf7a8_o_d.jpg
1972

all photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/24736216@N07/

Great finds desert...it looks so empty! :-\

Scanned from my own collection of old negatives:

1. 63rd St. & Halsted, 1935.
http://www.oranga.com/pics2/scan9070.jpg

2. 25 March 1955.
http://www.oranga.com/pics2/scan9071.jpg

3. 1954.
http://www.oranga.com/pics2/scan9072.jpg

4. 6 February 1954, from Palmolive Building.
http://www.oranga.com/pics2/scan9073.jpg

5. 9 October 1946, Merchandise Market.
http://www.oranga.com/pics2/scan9074.jpg

6. Augus 1966, construction John Hancock Center.
http://www.oranga.com/pics2/scan9075.jpg

7. 19 August 1954.
http://www.oranga.com/pics2/scan9076.jpg

8. 13 November 1962.
http://www.oranga.com/pics2/scan9077.jpg

9. 29 May 1961, from Prudential Building.
http://www.oranga.com/pics2/scan9078.jpg

10. 2 May 1955.
http://www.oranga.com/pics2/scan9079.jpg

11. 9 October 1947.
http://www.oranga.com/pics2/scan9080.jpg

12. 19 August 1964.
http://www.oranga.com/pics2/scan9081.jpg

13. 24 March 1962.
http://www.oranga.com/pics2/scan9082.jpg

14. 9 October 1947.
http://www.oranga.com/pics2/scan9083.jpg

15. 24 September 1953, LaSalle St.
http://www.oranga.com/pics2/scan9084.jpg

Those are great. I especially like the 1st one

^ Wow.

63rd and Halsted then compared to now (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=63rd+and+halsted+chicago&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=36.178967,64.6875&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=S+Halsted+St+%26+S+63rd+Pkwy,+Chicago,+Cook,+Illinois+60621&ll=41.779792,-87.644777&spn=0.008321,0.015793&z=16&layer=c&cbll=41.779791,-87.644705&panoid=DtJ84bFBWPCdPNb_3Lw4yA&cbp=12,277.53,,0,5).

Wow.

^ Wow.

63rd and Halsted then compared to now (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=63rd+and+halsted+chicago&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=36.178967,64.6875&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=S+Halsted+St+%26+S+63rd+Pkwy,+Chicago,+Cook,+Illinois+60621&ll=41.779792,-87.644777&spn=0.008321,0.015793&z=16&layer=c&cbll=41.779791,-87.644705&panoid=DtJ84bFBWPCdPNb_3Lw4yA&cbp=12,277.53,,0,5).

Wow.

Wow, talk about destroying the entire character of a neighborhood...it is always a shame to see such massive destruction of areas like that.

But on a good note, those are some fantastic historic photos of Chicago.

^ Great stuff, hoogbouw010. The best, I see these & I want more.^

^ Wow.

63rd and Halsted then compared to now (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=63rd+and+halsted+chicago&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=36.178967,64.6875&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=S+Halsted+St+%26+S+63rd+Pkwy,+Chicago,+Cook,+Illinois+60621&ll=41.779792,-87.644777&spn=0.008321,0.015793&z=16&layer=c&cbll=41.779791,-87.644705&panoid=DtJ84bFBWPCdPNb_3Lw4yA&cbp=12,277.53,,0,5).

Wow.

:wallbash::wallbash::wallbash::cry::cry::cry: Please don't remind me. I have to see this every week. And now that they tore down Kennedy King College I have to look at an even bigger grass field....

Chicago 1940-1960s

Outside the Regal Theater 1941
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4057/4447172543_9667a08dfb_o_d.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnmcnab/

1948 Loomis at Blue Island
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/35/72689266_6a2454cca3_o_d.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jarchie/

1948 Bishop S. of 18th
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/34/72690095_36f686d5cd_o_d.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jarchie/

1948
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/34/70315462_558162fdeb_o_d.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jarchie/

Little Bohemia 1949
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3271/3973756009_f48b9aefc5_o_d.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jarchie/

State St. 1949
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3360/3552979650_b29e82c8af_b_d.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jarchie/

1949
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3351/3552976702_4782eeebbd_b_d.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jarchie/

1949
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2437/3552978878_e9685ea6dd_b_d.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jarchie/

1949
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3616/3552977398_95959fa9ce_b_d.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jarchie/

1949
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2437/3552981140_f3fcfbb02a_b_d.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jarchie/

1949
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3392/3552978142_ba4a70b020_b_d.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jarchie/

1949
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3394/3552981810_fc91ce2b6a_b_d.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jarchie/

1950
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3568/3552707768_68a667ab03_b_d.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jarchie/

1950
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3366/3551906929_4582343f0a_b_d.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jarchie/

1950
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3375/3552670654_cda725c358_b_d.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jarchie/

1950
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3148/3552667356_5b592739fc_b_d.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jarchie/

1950 Michigan and Adams
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3230/3551757547_72cdd8a9bb_b_d.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jarchie/

1951
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2739/4144999871_214b04d10f_b_d.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jarchie/

1951
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2756/4145000279_09bb1b7838_b_d.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jarchie/

1952
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3562/3552989558_3ff987dafd_b_d.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jarchie/

1952
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3600/3552179897_57bbc24d8d_b_d.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jarchie/

1952
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3559/3552987486_34ac633463_b_d.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jarchie/

1952
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3576/3552177903_fcefabc05f_o_d.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jarchie/

1952
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3195/3552183765_9c4181b285_b_d.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jarchie/

1954
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3391/3548709411_cc28a144ef_b_d.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jarchie/

1954
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3357/3549518912_cf2c31393b_b_d.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jarchie/

1955
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2581/4089737804_7eb62c5bdd_o_d.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnmcnab/

1954
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2487/4006704370_6894aac186_b_d.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jarchie/

1955
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2057/3549320109_2fcc11a48f_b_d.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jarchie/

1955
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3602/3550125872_5d489ccdc9_b_d.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jarchie/

1955 Monroe St from Wells
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2432/3549317103_41539f9cc4_b_d.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jarchie/

1955
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3659/3549323061_198acfe6b6_b_d.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jarchie/

1955
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2484/3550135004_1b6ea5207a_b_d.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jarchie/

1955
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2671/3809204879_560c1b9831_o_d.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jarchie/

1955
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3511/4006703476_8c1f82a676_b_d.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jarchie/

1956
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2590/4005938057_313267c3ec_b_d.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jarchie/

1957
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3373/3552183141_931b814a90_b_d.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jarchie/

1958
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3559/3552190259_0dd58368c1_b_d.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jarchie/

1958
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3609/3552190927_43bc830634_b_d.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jarchie/

1958
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3368/3552191473_6496cae668_b_d.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jarchie/

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2664/4005941353_d2d9b8a33e_b_d.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jarchie/

1958
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3601/3552998570_afb6a47947_b_d.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jarchie/

1958
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3405/3552192007_dbb5066349_b_d.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jarchie/

Grand opening 6211 N. Lincoln Ave.1962
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2517/4159606625_0a98d08128_o_d.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnmcnab/

Haymarket 1964
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3600/3553048112_7ca7724f83_b_d.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jarchie/

1964
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3628/3552239967_ea5ca6755b_b_d.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jarchie/

^^ Great set I love seeing all the life that used to occupy the Loop compared to today (hopefully that'll change soon)....

Awesome collection, thanks for sharing

"State street, that great street, they do things they don't do on Broadway." I freakin love the State Street photos

Chicago 1982

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/131/332291816_0973465511_b_d.jpg
Diner, North Loop 1982

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/124/357277511_a9c05d0494_b_d.jpg
South Chicago 1982

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/165/339287414_194bd9efe0_b_d.jpg
Gas explosion South Side chicago 1982

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/127/343419475_0fd35907b0_b_d.jpg
US Steel South Works 1982

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/145/343496827_6ea61f6aa1_b_d.jpg
south industrial 1982

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/136/359993048_80f7d5ec05_b_d.jpg
south Side industrial 1982

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/159/339060145_6003c538ed_b_d.jpg
Chicago Skyway 1982

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/124/345553700_15ab20ae4c_b_d.jpg
calumet River area 1982

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/151/361186964_4ef37c88fd_b_d.jpg
Eastbound Amtrak train Hammond Ind. 1982

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3211/3113487476_5937f7fd85_b_d.jpg
South Chicago 1982

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/134/360047991_e78ed4b691_b_d.jpg
Skyway and silos 1982

all photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/vaticanus/

^ Awesome pics of a less photographed era!

"Bush Nation" in 1982?

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/1020/ca4ltkdecahdzw5tcaqhr9mgx5.jpg

1927

Wow, talk about destroying the entire character of a neighborhood...it is always a shame to see such massive destruction of areas like that.

But on a good note, those are some fantastic historic photos of Chicago.

:bash: Why did they tear it all down??

"Bush Nation" in 1982?

The neighborhood just west of South Works historically was known as "The Bush." This may be a takeoff on the "nation" names used by various South Side gangs, most notably the "Black P. Stone Nation."

:bash: Why did they tear it all down??

...and why does it continue... :ohno:...? http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/custom/landmarks/chi-landmarksfront-htmlstory,0,6326641.htmlstory

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2664/4005941353_d2d9b8a33e_b_d.jpg

I was just staring at this photo and it seriously is insane how much Chicago has grown in the past 50 years. Whatever happened in Chicago 50 years ago has definitely worked out for it because based off this image, the city could of easily stayed stagnant and would be nothing more than a relic of a past generation of a city...lucky for us that never happened.

Historic preservation isn't opposed to growth and development. Chicago has an amazing skyline, and the downtown office space and other infrastructure developments that have happened here in the post war era have been vital toward positioning the city as a global player in the twentyfirst century. But many poorly thought out planning decisions have also occurred - does it make sense to destroy an architecturally significant 20 story building from the late nineteenth century and replace it with a parking lot - or a one story currency exchange? Its a poor use of space, it adds to traffic congestion, it eliminates density, and it eliminates the historic, urban character of the city that we have been enjoying in these old photos. Preservation isn't stagnation - its making smart planning decisions and respecting the history of a place, reflected in the built environment, that makes it unique.

Historic preservation isn't opposed to growth and development. Chicago has an amazing skyline, and the downtown office space and other infrastructure developments that have happened here in the post war era have been vital toward positioning the city as a global player in the twentyfirst century. But many poorly thought out planning decisions have also occurred - does it make sense to destroy an architecturally significant 20 story building from the late nineteenth century and replace it with a parking lot - or a one story currency exchange? Its a poor use of space, it adds to traffic congestion, it eliminates density, and it eliminates the historic, urban character of the city that we have been enjoying in these old photos. Preservation isn't stagnation - its making smart planning decisions and respecting the history of a place, reflected in the built environment, that makes it unique.

That all sounds wonderful, but the problem emerges when this idea is taken too far. If historic preservation was too strict in the Loop, then companies wishing to build massive offices and expand dramatically won't locate in a spot where only three to five story buildings with constraining floorplans are allowed.

Lets campare it to Detroit's skyline. Yes Detroit's skyline and urban character downtown has not changed a lot, but the only reason why it hasn't changed is becuase there isn't any economic growth going on in the city. But even Detroit, in an effort to revitalize, built the Ren Center so that also changed the nature of the skyline.

In area like San Francisco and Washinton DC; where there is height limits, strict preservation codes and strong neighborhood groups, there has also been a massive bleedoff of people and corporations to the surrounding suburbs in both respective places. Thier saving grace is that they developed great inter-urban transit given thier topographical constraints. This wouldn't be the case.

If this happened in the 1950s in Chicago, we would be in a suburban wasteland. All of the infastructure would have been highway and auto based. Every corporation, faced with a constricting and expensive downtown, would leave for the gleaming glass office parks of Shaumburg. A much, much larger and sadder version of all the highway dependant, suburban dominated cities in the midwest.

I'm not saying we shouldn't save examples of wonderful turn of the century architecture in the loop, but we should be able to say goodbye to some old structures on Lake and Franklin dating back to the 1870s in order to build an 80 story tower that would house dozens of companies employing thousands of people.

At the same time, we should be landmarking and trying to preserve the Italinate Beauty built during the 1880s on the northeast corner of dearborn and randolph.

That all sounds wonderful, but the problem emerges when this idea is taken too far....At the same time, we should be landmarking and trying to preserve the Italinate Beauty built during the 1880s on the northeast corner of dearborn and randolph.

- I agree, and I believe that preservation should inherently be a give and take process and should not represent an impediment to economic growth. However, some buildings are worth saving - especially when a sound economic case can be made for adaptive reuse. Here's a great example -
http://www.landmarks.org/recent_scherer.htm

- You're right about that Italianate- that it is a fine old building.

At the same time, we should be landmarking and trying to preserve the Italinate Beauty built during the 1880s on the northeast corner of dearborn and randolph.

Huh? It's been a Chicago Landmark (http://webapps.cityofchicago.org/LandmarksWeb/landmarkDetail.do?lanID=1287) for twenty-seven years.

I would dare say Chicago has done a pretty good job preserving much of its historical content. Actually one could argue that the amount of land the old railways opened up for new development is what saved many of Chicago's old buildings from ever coming down.

Huh? It's been a Chicago Landmark (http://webapps.cityofchicago.org/LandmarksWeb/landmarkDetail.do?lanID=1287) for twenty-seven years.

Oh I know. I was saying that while we should landmark that structure; if they want to demolish a few of those (three story buildings from the 1880s) in the central loop in order to build an 80 story mixed use scraper, I say let them.

Basically, I'm defending the idea of a very discerning preservation code.

^It sounds like your discernment process consists of looking at the proposed replacement. That's not discernment; it's situational ethics.

^It sounds like your discernment process consists of looking at the proposed replacement. That's not discernment; it's situational ethics.

Well what is a better process?

Landmark designations should be made based solely on the merits of the existing building, completely independent of whether anything is proposed for that site—much less what the new thing looks like. Ideally, landmarking should be done long before there's any discussion of redevelopment, so that property owners don't feel that their development rights have somehow been snatched away at the last minute.

c.1960

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/179/405262205_976dd5c89a_b_d.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jvh33/

I've been reading an amazing volume, "Chicago and its Makers, A Narrative of Events 1833-1926" Felix Mendelsohn 1929. Over 400 photos of old Chicago. This book is big and is difficult to scan... but here's a few including a letter & pamphlet intended to promote the book at its publishing in 1929.

http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/3060/chicagomakerspromo.jpg (http://img839.imageshack.us/i/chicagomakerspromo.jpg/)

http://img571.imageshack.us/img571/7089/letterq.jpg (http://img571.imageshack.us/i/letterq.jpg/)

http://img840.imageshack.us/img840/4527/briggshouse.jpg (http://img840.imageshack.us/i/briggshouse.jpg/)

http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/8141/crosbyoperahouse.jpg (http://img842.imageshack.us/i/crosbyoperahouse.jpg/)

http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/6042/honoreblock.jpg (http://img218.imageshack.us/i/honoreblock.jpg/)

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/8636/mcvickers.jpg (http://img16.imageshack.us/i/mcvickers.jpg/)

A short clip showing State & Madison in 1897:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GG2h-bGjjlw

More people than buildings or streetscapes, but a remarkable collection of midcentury street photography has recently come to light:

http://vivianmaier.blogspot.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWEDOnBfDUI

Exhibit begins January 8th at the Chicago Cultural Center.

Great thread. It's always interesting to see the evolution of a great city.

Scanned from my own collection of old negatives:

1. From 1962.
http://www.oranga.com/pics2/scan9099.jpg

2.
http://www.oranga.com/pics2/scan9100.jpg

3.Removed, posted incorrectly as Chicago.

4.
http://www.oranga.com/pics2/scan9116.jpg

Number 3 is actually Manhattan, not Chicago. I believe that's the Third Avenue El at 43rd Street.

Number 3 is actually Manhattan, not Chicago. I believe that's the Third Avenue El at 43rd Street.

Good catch, I don't imagine Chicago ever had a Murray Hill Hardware store. Plus E 43rd would put that photo in the middle of the Southside, which looks nothing like that photo, and I am not sure it ever did look anything like that.

Nonetheless, I do love all these old photos...it is always amazing how long Chicago's architecture was frozen in time, we are really lucky the city never died off cause it could of easily happened if the modern architecture boom never happened there.

http://www.oranga.com/pics2/scan9116.jpg

^ Dang, I wonder what time of the day this pic was taken?

Either it was dawn on Sunday, or there simply wasn't as much traffic back in those days. Nowadays, you'll rarely see a scene like this

^About 2 pm, based on the shadows.

2.
http://www.oranga.com/pics2/scan9100.jpg

That's a handsome perspective of Prudential.

-----


Number 3 is actually Manhattan, not Chicago. I believe that's the Third Avenue El at 43rd Street.

Good eye, Mr D.!

Number 3 is actually Manhattan, not Chicago. I believe that's the Third Avenue El at 43rd Street.

Ah, thanks for the correction!

.....More people than buildings or streetscapes, but a remarkable collection of midcentury street photography has recently come to light:

http://vivianmaier.blogspot.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWEDOnBfDUI

Exhibit begins January 8th at the Chicago Cultural Center.

Thanks for mentioning Vivian Maier. Her photos are really extraordinary. Of the small fraction that have been released so far, this one is perhaps my favorite:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YUrw6ooCZj4/TRIegz-y4BI/AAAAAAAABBA/671fOdyYiyM/s1600/57-440%2Bpost.jpg
Link (http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YUrw6ooCZj4/TRIegz-y4BI/AAAAAAAABBA/671fOdyYiyM/s1600/57-440%2Bpost.jpg)

Under the elevated railway, Chicago, by John Vachon 1940

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4102/4789359602_9b60e85d60_b_d.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/photo-tractatus/

I don't even recognize this city!


Under the elevated railway, Chicago, by John Vachon 1940
The L and streetcar! I love it!

^The location is Dearborn & Van Buren, looking southwest. The little taxpayer building housing Maple Leaf Candies, built 1937, was designed by White & Weber. "Of modern design, it will have an exterior of black, silver and crystal, with doors of dark red. The walls will be of black structural glass, white metal and plate glass."

CSL 1809 is probably working the Harrison route on this late spring afternoon. It's come from the West Side through the "Van Buren" streetcar tunnel, and is about to turn right on Dearborn, then Harrison, to run back west.

^^

Impressive. I feel like Sherlock Holmes just dropped by...

^ Great shots hoogbouw010. I can't get enough of those "own collection of old negatives", bravo.^

Scanned from my own collection of old negatives (quick scans, no cleaning):

1. 1962.
http://www.oranga.com/pics2/scan9146.jpg

2. Taken from 14th floor of 25 E Delaware, looking South, June 26, 1962.
http://www.oranga.com/pics2/scan9147.jpg

3. 1959.
http://www.oranga.com/pics2/scan9148.jpg

4.
http://www.oranga.com/pics2/scan9149.jpg

5.
http://www.oranga.com/pics2/scan9150.jpg

^Prachtig! Veel dank!

I especially like the first one of the North Loop redevelopment area. Something like 75% of all the buildings visible in that photo are gone now.

RIP Sherman House, hello Thompson Center. :-/

that first shot is pure greatness!!! It actually has a resemblance of ny imo...

That's amazing pics. It's crazy how so much has changed, yet at the same time a lot looks untouched. You are doing a good job here. :applause:

Rgds

HH :cheers:

Beauty city and pictures. Good thread :cheers:

^wtf is up with your avatar?... I like it...

^^ This avatar is a gift from his girlfriend. :) We all really like his girlfriend too - although we dont know her. :D

Those photos are amazing! But it's kinda sad to see how much has been leveled over the decades!

Perfect old photographs

Looking closely at that last photo, it looks like residents of the top floors of some of the Cabrini reds could *almost* see the lake -- something that would be unimaginable from that vantage-point today (if Cabrini still existed). It's unbelievable how much Chicago has developed over the past 50 years.

^ Wow.

63rd and Halsted then compared to now (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=63rd+and+halsted+chicago&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=36.178967,64.6875&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=S+Halsted+St+%26+S+63rd+Pkwy,+Chicago,+Cook,+Illinois+60621&ll=41.779792,-87.644777&spn=0.008321,0.015793&z=16&layer=c&cbll=41.779791,-87.644705&panoid=DtJ84bFBWPCdPNb_3Lw4yA&cbp=12,277.53,,0,5).

Wow.


It is more open so why hate it? I, for one, like it. The old photos sometimes remind you of a third world country.

It is more open so why hate it? I, for one, like it. The old photos sometimes remind you of a third world country.

:weird:

Yeah, it's so much better now--weed-strewn lots, gang-bangers, hopelessness, despair, disinvestment... So much more sophisticated than the main-street like atmosphere with streetcars passing through which had existed there before.

Go take another hit of your crack-pipe..

63rd and halsted look better in that photo of yours. And what is so sexy about trams?

Except the weed strewn lawns, the rest are just states of people and you are telling me Mob is more strong now than in the 40s and 50s?

63rd and halsted look better in that photo of yours. And what is so sexy about trams?

Except the weed strewn lawns, the rest are just states of people and you are telling me Mob is more strong now than in the 40s and 50s?

^ Have you been to this area? I have an idea--go spend an evening walking around that area and tell me what you think.

63rd and Halsted was formerly the main intersection of one of the busiest shopping districts in the city. How can you possibly call the vacant lots with discarded litter, and boarded up windows, an improvement? I mean, have you been to this part of town? It is in absolutely abismal shape, although there have been some improvements lately.

Plus, I never said trams are "sexy"

And finally, why the God's name are you bringing up the mob? Is there some kind of communication problem between us? Did I say something in an earlier post that meant "mob" in your native tongue? Where did you even remotely get the idea that I was discussing organized crime?

It is more open so why hate it? I, for one, like it. The old photos sometimes remind you of a third world country.

^ By the way, my link took you to the wrong intersection.

If you want to see the hell-hole known as 63rd and Halsted, go to 63rd st (not parkway) and Halsted st (not parkway) on Google Streetview.

^ Have you been to this area? I have an idea--go spend an evening walking around that area and tell me what you think.

63rd and Halsted was formerly the main intersection of one of the busiest shopping districts in the city. How can you possibly call the vacant lots with discarded litter, and boarded up windows, an improvement? I mean, have you been to this part of town? It is in absolutely abismal shape, although there have been some improvements lately.

Plus, I never said trams are "sexy"

And finally, why the God's name are you bringing up the mob? Is there some kind of communication problem between us? Did I say something in an earlier post that meant "mob" in your native tongue? Where did you even remotely get the idea that I was discussing organized crime?

Dude's a troll. Ignore him.

Does anyone have any old photos of Taylor Street?

It is more open so why hate it? I, for one, like it. The old photos sometimes remind you of a third world country.

I can't help but find that offensive.... and what neighborhood are you from?

'Burbs! :D

I am happy that trams are gone from downtown. They take so much space on the road.

You are talking about this intersection?

http://i52.tinypic.com/11keam1.png

http://i54.tinypic.com/15hbxjp.png

Sure, it looks quiet but why do you want crowds everywhere? There still are buildings (hence people) and they still can pile up that snow on that small piece of land.

^if you had any idea what that entire strip used to look like on halsted between 63rd & 71st and going west to western ave, you would understand how that comment sounds like bush's mother's statement she said when she flew over new orleans...

^if you had any idea what that entire strip used to look like on halsted between 63rd & 71st and going west to western ave, you would understand how that comment sounds like bush's mother's statement she said when she flew over new orleans...

Ignore that dude. He is just saying things he knows are foolish to get people worked up.

^^ Too bad that you have to suck up since the city planners don't share your views..

^^ Too bad that you have to suck up since the city planners don't share your views..

So is this your most favorite place in Chicago to hang out in or something? You seem to be really into what this location looks like now...I mean seriously, it must be a lot of fun watching city workers move snow onto a vacant lot.

It is always a shame to see an active commercial area, which probably feel on hard times at one point get torn down and replaced with buildings that will never stimulate the kind of activity that the area once had.

But then again, if you like that sort of thing, nothing wrong with that cause there are millions of people that love the suburban lifestyle.

I like the downtown but the thing I like about Chicago is that it is not an insane urban metro like NY. I know there are problem areas with the ghettos but I like a city that has a vibrant downtown with suburbs surrounding it. It just seems natural.

I can't stand the amount of people that were on state street in couple of those pictures.

I like the downtown but the thing I like about Chicago is that it is not an insane urban metro like NY. I know there are problem areas with the ghettos but I like a city that has a vibrant downtown with suburbs surrounding it. It just seems natural.

I can't stand the amount of people that were on state street in couple of those pictures.

I am not gonna argue with you there, we all have different tastes and as much as I love NYC, I would prefer to live in Chicago because I like that the commercial streets all feel big city and urban, but the neighborhood streets all feel quiet and tree lined.

http://www.cantabpublishing.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/1943.jpeg

^nice find Desertpunk

I like the downtown but the thing I like about Chicago is that it is not an insane urban metro like NY. I know there are problem areas with the ghettos but I like a city that has a vibrant downtown with suburbs surrounding it. It just seems natural.

I can't stand the amount of people that were on state street in couple of those pictures.

I don't find it natural just common in America.

Why are you on this website?

I love that photo with the PBR sign, I kind of wish that was still there.

Scanned from my own collection of old negatives and slides (quick scans, no cleaning):

1. 1958.
http://www.oranga.com/pics2/scan9155.jpg

2. 1959.
http://www.oranga.com/pics2/scan9156.jpg

3. 1955.
http://www.oranga.com/pics2/scan9157.jpg

4. 1961.
http://www.oranga.com/pics2/scan9158.jpg

5. 1955.
http://www.oranga.com/pics2/scan9159.jpg

6. 1957.
http://www.oranga.com/pics2/scan9160.jpg

7. 1965.
http://www.oranga.com/pics2/scan9161.jpg

8. 1968.
http://www.oranga.com/pics2/scan9163.jpg

9. 1968.
http://www.oranga.com/pics2/scan9164.jpg

Scanned from my own collection of old negatives and slides (quick scans, no cleaning)

The negative on #4 is flipped. Check out the lettering on the building center frame. That's the pedestrian bridge over south LSD at 43rd looking north.