Chicago Riverwalk

Wacker Drive Marker

2011-12-16T04:32:00.000-08:00

South Wacker Street: 1834
South Wacker Street: 1924

1909 Plan of Chicago, by Daniel Burnham and Edward H. Bennett, had a plan for the development of Wacker Drive into a two-level street along the Chicago River. In 1924, the construction of the east-west portion of the street started. The north-south portion was started only in the 1950s.

South Wacker Street: 1834

South Wacker Street: 1924

Inscription.
South Water Street 1834
South Water Street 1924

Wacker Drive
Begun 1924 Completed 1926

Built by the City of Chicago
Wm. E. Dever, Mayor

Chicago River Bridge Lifts

2011-06-18T20:12:00.000-07:00

June 18, 2011..
Chicago is famous for its movable bridges. Each year in spring and fall seasons, these bridges lift, to accomodate the entry and exit of sailboats and other tall vessels, to and from Lake Michigan, for the summer months. And although I take frequent trips downtown, I often miss the bridge lifts. Today was an exception!

Here are some images taken today, as two sailboats Day Star and September Song, made their entry to Lake Michigan through Chicago River. I followed them from Lake Street bridge [South Branch], though all the ten bridges on the Main Branch of Chicago River. These bridges lift and close so effortlessly, it's an absolute pleasure to watch them..

Lake Street bridge, click here..

Franklin-Orleans Street bridge, click here..

Wells Street bridge, click here..

LaSalle Street bridge, click here.. [Only one side opened. The masts of sailboats crossing the bridge can be seen].

Clark Street bridge, click here..

Dearborn Street bridge, click here..

State Street bridge, click here..

Wabash Avenue bridge, click here..

Michigan Avenue bridge/ DuSable bridge, click here.

Columbus Avenue bridge, click here..

Lakeshore Drive bridge, click here..

Enjoy your summer Day Star and September Song!

Chicago Harbor Lock: Gateway to Chicago River..

2011-06-08T18:26:00.000-07:00

Chicago Harbor Lock..
It seperates Lake Michigan from the Chicago River. Originally, the Chicago River used to flow into the Lake Michigan. With the reversal of the flow of Chicago River in 1900, the river now originates from Lake Michigan, and the water flows towards the Mississippi River and eventually the Gulf of Mexico. So the Chicago Harbor Lock can be called the Gateway to Chicago River or the Mouth of Chicago River.

The locks separating the Chicago River from Lake Michigan did not reverse the river. Instead they prevent too much Lake water from entering the River. Constructed in 1938, the lock is 600-foot long, 80-foot wide and 22-foot deep. It is operated by the OMNI Corporation via contract with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. A new control tower was built in 2006.

Breakwater and the Chicago Harbor Lock..

The above images are taken from the AeroBalloon - floating 40 stories / 350-feet, from above the Navy Pier.. View more images on my Facebook Album.. click here..

Navy Pier, Breakwater and the Chicago Harbor Lock..

RELATED LINKS..
# Navy Pier: Chicago Skyline from Aeroballoon ..
# Chicago Harbor Lighthouse..
# Chicago Harbor Lock...
# Chicago Marine Safety Station..

Civil Engineering Monument of the Millennium..

2011-06-07T08:25:00.000-07:00

Civil Engineering Monument of the Millennium..
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago's "Wastewater System"; received this honor for being "One of the finest example of how civil engineering ingenuity shaped the development of society's quality of life in the 20th century ".. [ As inscribed on the monument]
Designated: Sep 19, 2001...
For much more detail, click here..

Notice the Y-Symbol..

Lakeshore Drive bridge

2011-05-25T05:09:00.000-07:00

Lakeshore Drive bridge..
Opened: October 5, 1937
Width: 107 feet
Span between trunnions: 264 feet
Weight: 4200 tons..
Construction of this double-deck bridge began in 1929 but was halted by the Great Depression. After federal funding was secured to complete work, it opened in 1937. However, the lower level roadway was not used until Lake Shore Drive was rebuilt in 1986.

A perfect gateway to the city of Chicago. When completed it was the longest bascule bridge in the world, and was also the widest bascule bridge in the world!

Riverwalk Gateway - by Ellen Lanyon

2011-05-24T05:25:00.000-07:00

Riverwalk Gateway ...
Artist: Ellen Lanyon
Architect: The trellised, cast-concrete walkway, is designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.
Description: Ceramic mural tiles..
Location: Under Lakeshore Drive..
South bank of Chicago River

The ceramic murals offers pedestrians a pictorial history of Chicago entwined with the Chicago River. It begins with the arrival of Europeans by canoe at the portage between the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. The river remains the primary theme of the narrative because of its centrality to Chicago's development.
For much more detail, click here..

RELATED LINKS:
Riverwalk Gateway - by Ellen Lanyon..

Ruins-III, by Nita Sunderland

2011-05-23T18:31:00.000-07:00

Ruins - III ..
By: Nita Sunderland ...
1981-2004
Description: Bronze and limestone ...
Location: East Riverwalk, between Columbus and Lake Shore Dr.
A part of Art-in-Architecture Program..
Ruins III, part of the Ruins series, was inspired by artist Nita Sunderland’s travels in Italy and England..
For more, click here..

Nicholas J Melas Centennial Plaza and Fountain

2011-05-23T06:05:00.000-07:00

Nicholas J Melas Centennial Plaza and Fountain..
Location: Chicago River Esplanade
North bank of Chicago River..
The Nicholas J. Melas Centennial Fountain was built in 1989 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago. It is is located at McClurg Court and the Chicago River

The Water Arc Every hour on the hour, from 10:00 to 14:00 and again from 17:00 to midnight, the esplanade's Centennial Fountain shoots a massive arc of water across the river for 10 minutes. The entire exercise is meant to commemorate the labor-intensive reversal of the Chicago River in 1900, which tidily began sending all of the city's wastes downriver rather than into the lake.
For more, click here..

RELATED LINKS:
Nicholas J Melas Centennial Plaza and Fountain ..

Joanne H. Alter Plaza

2011-05-22T06:40:00.000-07:00

Joanne H. Alter Plaza..
Location: South bank of Chicago River..
The plaque reads..
Joanne H Alter was elected Commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, and served with distinction from 1972 to 1990. Commissioner Alter's vision for improvement in the Chicago River led to the revitalization of the entire river system..
For more, click here..

RELATED LINKS:
Joanne H. Alter Plaza..

Columbus Avenue bridge

2011-05-20T17:23:00.000-07:00

Columbus Avenue bridge..
Opened: October 18, 1983
Width: 111 feet
Span between trunnion: 269 feet
The second largest trunnion bascule in the world..
Weight: 3400 tons..

Columbus Avenue underbridge..

Chicago Rising from the Lake - by Milton Horn

2011-05-19T05:53:00.000-07:00

Chicago Rising from the Lake
Sculptor - Milton Horn..
Installed: 1954
Description: Bronze, H 7 ft. x W 12 ft.
City of Chicago Public Art Collection..
LOCATION:Columbus Drive Bridge Columbus Dr. at the Chicago River Esplanade
North bank of Chicago River..

Milton Horn’s bronze bas-relief is symbolic of the city of Chicago. The female figure represents Chicago emerging reborn from the bottom of Lake Michigan following the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The sheaf of wheat, bull and eagle reference Chicago’s historic role as a center of commerce, the livestock market and air transportation, respectively. Floral forms evoke the city motto, “Urbs in Horto” or “City in a Garden.” Finally, the bronze ring arching across the relief represents Chicago’s central geography within the United States.
For more, click here..

Michigan Avenue bridge

2011-05-18T20:02:00.000-07:00

Michigan Avenue bridge..
Opened: May 14, 1920..
Width: 92 feet
Span between trunnions: 256 feet
Weight: 4100 tons.
The Wacker Drive Esplanade completed in 1926..
The monumental relief sculptures completed in 1928..
Type: Double Bascule Trunnion or more like a double-deck, double-leaf trunnion bascule bridge. The first of it's kind ever built.
The Michigan Avenue bridge was conceived as part of Daniel Burnham's 1909 Plan of Chicago, the bridge and upper-level Wacker Drive were designed to improve transportation and to enhance Chicago's riverfront..

The lower level of the bridge..

Michigan Avenue underbridge..

May 14, 2010, the bridge turned 90!

On Friday, October 15, 2010, the Michigan Avenue bridge was officially renamed as DuSable bridge..

Points of interest on the bridge and it's vicinity..

Chicago Landmark: Michigan Avenue bridge and the Wacker Drive Esplanade
Chicago Landmark: Site of Fort Dearborn, click here..
Sculptural Reliefs on the bridgehouses..
Michigan Avenue bridge markers..
Chicago Riverwalk
Museum
Wave Motif, click here..

Chicago Landmark
The Michigan Avenue bridge and the Wacker Drive Esplanade was designated as a Chicago Landmark in 1991 ...
The plaque reads:
"Chicago Landmark

Michigan Avenue Bridge and Wacker Drive Esplanade
Edward H Bennett, architect
1918-1928
Conceived as part of Daniel Burhnam's 1900 plan of Chicago the Michigan Avenue Bridge and the wacker Drive were designed to improve transportation and to enhance Chicago's riverfront. The opening of the bridge in 1920, followed by the esplanade in 1926 and the monumental sculptures in 1928 provided an impressive gateway to North Michigan Avenue and led to its development of city's premier throughfares.
Designated on Oct 2, 1991
Richard M Daley, Mayor
Commission of Chicago Landmarks".

Chicago Landmark: Site of Fort Dearborn..
The plaque reads..
Chicago Landmark ..
Site of Fort Dearborn
1803
Fort Dearborn served as a major western garrison of the United States until destroyed during an Indian unrising in August of 1812. A second fort erected on the same site in 1816, was demolished in 1856.
Designated a Chicago Landmark on Sepetember 15, 1971
by the City Council of Chicago
Richard J Daley, Mayor
Commission on Chicago Historical and Architectural Landmarks.
For more, click here..

Relief Sculptures on bridgehouses
The bas relief sculptures on the bridgehouses make it one of the most photographed of all the bridges. The sculptures depict important events in early Chicago history. It's called "Defense, Regeneration, The Pioneers, and The Discoverers"
by James Earle Fraser and Henry Hering..
For more, click here..

Markers on Michigan Avenue Bridge..
There are several plaques on the bridge marking historical events on this site, like..
- A plaque in honor of Louis Jolliet & Pere Jacques Marquette, the first white men to pass through the Chicago River in 1673..
- A plaque in honor of La Salle & Henry De Tonti, who passed through the Chicago River on their way to the Mississipp in 1681..
- A plaque celebrating the date of bridge opening on May 14th, 1920..
- A plaque that spells out the importance of Chicago River in the early development of the city..
- Markers/granite squares, engraved with the names of individuals and businesses who have sponsored the planting of a tree. The trees are planted as part of The Chicago Gateway Green Committee's efforts to a greener Chicago Metropolitan Area..
Michigan Avenue bridge markers..

The Museum..
In the summer of 2006, the McCormick Tribune Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum opened in the southwest tower of the Michigan Avenue Bridge. Here, visitors can learn about the history of the river and view the giant gears of the bridge. This bridgehouse also once housed the men who tended to the opening and closing of the bridge to make way for passing ships.

Chicago Riverwalk..

Wave motif on Michigan Avenue bridgehouse..
For more, click here..

Ram head atop the bridgehouses..

RELATED LINKS:
Chicago Landmark: Site of Fort Dearborn, click here..
Sculptural Reliefs on the bridgehouses..
Michigan Avenue bridge markers..
Wave Motif click here..

Michigan Avenue bridgehouse: Ram's head..

2011-05-18T19:16:00.000-07:00

What does Ram's head stand for?

Michigan Avenue bridge turns 90 [May 14, 2010]

2011-05-18T11:22:00.000-07:00

May 14, 2010..
Michigan Avenue bridge turns 90!!
Happy Birthday to the Michigan Avenue Bridge!!!
Posted on my blog on Architecture & Cityscape click here..

Cityscape taken from the Michigan Avenue bridge..

Defense, Regeneration, The Pioneers, and The Discoverers - by James Earle Fraser and Henry Hering

2011-05-17T21:27:00.000-07:00

Defense, Regeneration, The Pioneers, and The Discoverers ..
- by James Earle Fraser and Henry Hering..
1928, Carved limestone
LOCATION: Michigan Avenue Bridge ...

Chicago’s first settlers lived along the banks of the Chicago River where the Michigan Avenue Bridge now stands. This marker informs ...
The Michigan Avenue bridge was originally conceived as a part of Daniel Burnham's 1909 Plan of Chicago. The double-decker double-leaf trunnion bascule bridge was designed by architect Edward H. Bennet and engineers Thomas D. Pihlseldt and Hugh Young, and opened in 1920. The bridge provided an impressive gateway to North Michigan Avenue and contributed to it's development as one of city's premier throughfares. It was designated a Chicago Landmark in 1991.
Each bridge tower is adorned with a bas relief sculpture commemorating important events in Chicago history. The Northwest and Southeast towers house equipment to operate the bridge. The McCormick Bridgehouse and Chicago River Museum is now located within the Southwest tower.

Southwest Tower: Defence - By Henry Hering
Southeast Tower: Regeneration - By Henry Hering
Northwest Tower: Pioneers - By James Earle Fraser
Northeast Tower: Discoverers - By James Earle Fraser
Both of the south pylons are executed by Henry Hering and erected by the B.F. Ferguson Monument Fund. Both of the north pylons are executed James Earle Fraser and are gift of William Wrigley Jr.

Southwest Tower
Defense...
By - Henry Hering
Unveiled: 1928 ..
Defence portrays the Fort Dearborn Massacre of August 15, 1812, during the war of 1812. Over 50 people were killed by Potawatomi warriors allied with British as they evacuated Fort Dearborn and marched towards Fort Wayne, Indiana. The battle occuried at approximately 18th street and Paririe Avenue

Below the sculptural bas relief is inscribed ...
"Defense - Fort Dearborn stood almost on this spot. After an heroic defense in eighteen hundred and twelve, the garrison together with women and children was forced to evacuate the fort. Led forth by Captain Wells, they were brutally massacred by the Indians. They will be cherished as martyrs in our early history.
Erected by trustees of the B.F. Ferguson Monument Fund, 1928"..

Southeast Tower
Regeneration...
By - Henry Hering
Unveiled: 1928
Regeneration commemorated the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. It portrays Chicagoans building the city upon the ashes of the fire.

Below the sculptural bas relief is inscribed ...
"Regeneration - The Great Chicago Fire in October eighteen hundred and seventy-one devastated the city. From its ashes the people of Chicago caused a new and greater city to rise imbued with that indomitable spirit and energy by which they have ever been guided.
Erected by trustees of the B.F. Ferguson Monument Fund, 1928.."

Northwest Tower
Pioneers ...
By - James E Fraser
Unveiled: 1928 ..
The pioneers dramatize Chicago's earliest non-native settlers, John Baptiste Pointe DuSable and John Kinzie, who established fur trading posts near the mouth of Chicago River.

Below the sculptural bas relief is inscribed ...
"The Pioneers - John Kinzie, fur trader, settled near this spot in the early years of the nineteenth century. One of a band of courageous pioneers - who with their lives at stake - struggled through the wilderness, breaking soil for the seeds of a future civilization.
Presented to the city by William Wrigley Jr., 1928."

Northeast Tower
Discoverers ...
By - James E Fraser
Unveiled: 1928 ..
The discoverers commemorates four European explorers who passed through the Chicago area in the late 1600's. Louis Joliet and Father Jacques Marquette were the first non-native people known to explore the map of Mississippi River system. The traveled down the Chicago River in 1674 on their return to the Great Lakes from the Mississippi Rene Robert Cavelier, Sieur De LaSalle and Henri De Tonti explored the entire Mississippi River basin between 1679 and 1682.

Below the sculptural bas relief is inscribed ...
"The Discoverers - Jolliet, Father Marquette, La Salle, and Tonti will live in American history as fearless explorers who made their way through the Great Lakes and across this watershed to the Mississippi in the late seventeenth century and typify the spirit of brave adventure which has always been firmly planted in the character of the middle west.
Presented to the city by William Wrigley Jr., 1928."

For more on.. [click on the link]
# Sculptures and markers on Michigan Avenue bridge..
# Defense, Regeneration, The Pioneers, and The Discoverers..
# Plaque in honor of Louis Jolliet & Pere Jacques Marquette.
# Plaque in honor of La Salle & Henry De Tonti..
# Celebrating the bridge opening....
# The importance of Chicago River in early Chicago development..
# Granite squares commemorating Chicago Gateway Green committee efforts..
# Site of Fort Dearborn...
# Bust of Pointe DuSable.. click here..
# Site of McKinzie Mansion...

Michigan Avenue bridge markers..

2011-05-17T18:31:00.000-07:00

The Michigan Avenue bridge, a designated Chicago Landmark, has many interesting features. Here the focus is on the markers on the bridge that spells it's history and engineering feats..

Chicago Landmark: Michigan Avenue bridge and the Wacker Drive Esplanade
Chicago Landmark: Site of Fort Dearborn
Louis Jolliet & Pere Jacques Marquette Memorial..
La Salle & Henry De Tonti Memorial..
Celebrating the date of bridge opening..
The Chicago River..
The Chicago Gateway Green Committee..
Bust of Pointe DuSable - by Erik Blome
Site of Pointe DuSable House
Ram's head

Chicago Landmark..
The Michigan Avenue bridge and the Wacker Drive Esplanade was designated as a Chicago Landmark in 1991 ...
Conceived as part of Daniel Burhnam's 1900 plan of Chicago the Michigan Avenue Bridge and the wacker Drive were designed to improve transportation and to enhance Chicago's riverfront. The opening of the bridge in 1920, followed by the esplanade in 1926 and the monumental sculptures in 1928 provided an impressive gateway to North Michigan Avenue and led to its development of city's premier throughfares.
# For more.. click here..

Site of Fort Dearborn...
Address: Intersection of Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive
Fort Dearborn: Year built: 1803, destroyed: 1812 ...
Second fort erected on the same site: 1816, demolished 1856 ..
The site has been designated a Chicago Landmark on September 15, 1971 ..
# For more.. click here..

Most famous is the relief sculptures named..
Defense, Regeneration, The Pioneers, and The Discoverers..
By James Earle Fraser and Henry Hering..
Completed: 1928
Description: Carved limestone
Each bridge tower is adorned with a bas relief sculpture commemorating important events in Chicago history..
Southwest Tower: Defence - By Henry Hering
Southeast Tower: Regeneration - By Henry Hering
Northwest Tower: Pioneers - By James Earle Fraser
Northeast Tower: Discoverers - By James Earle Fraser
# For more.. click here..

Louis Jolliet & Pere Jacques Marquette Memorial..
the first white men to pass through the Chicago River in 1673..
Location: Northeast corner, Michigan Avenue bridge..
# For more .. click here..

La Salle & Henry De Tonti Memorial..
who passed through the Chicago River on their way to the Mississipp in 1681..
Location: Southwest corner, Michigan Avenue bridge..
# For more.. click here..

Celebrating the date of bridge opening..
on May 14th, 1920..
Location: Southeast corner and Northwest corner, Michigan Avenue bridge..
# For more.. click here..

The marker spells out the importance of Chicago River in the early development of the city..
Location: Southwest corner, Michigan Avenue bridge..
From 1673, commerce and civilization followed the natural waterway from the seaboard to the heart of the continent.
The statergic importance of the early American development of the junction of the Chicago River and the Lake Michigan led to the establishment here of Fort Dearborn and to the founding of the City of Chicago...
# For more.. click here

Markers along the Wacker Drive..
The granite squares are engraved with the names of individuals and businesses who have sponsored the planting of a tree. The trees are planted as part of The Chicago Gateway Green Committee's efforts to a greener Chicago Metropolitan Area..
# For more.. click here..

Bust of Pointe DuSable..
Sculptor: Erik Blome
Installed: 2009
Location: Pioneer Court..
To the north east end of the bridge is the bust of Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable...
DuSable is popularly known as "The Father of Chicago", was the first known settler in the area which is now Chicago, Illinois. Du Sable was recognized by the State of Illinois and the City of Chicago as the Founder of Chicago on October 26, 1968...
# For more.. click here..

Site of Pointe DuSable House..
The north-east of the Michigan Avenue bridge is the site of Point Du Sable House. It is designated a National Historic Landmark, as it possesses national significance in commemorating the history of the United States of America.
# For more, click here..

Dont miss - the bridge tower top..
Looks like a Ram head..
Symbolic??
Any information is welcome..
I really am not aware if the Ram's head has any meaning..
Although symbolically, Ram's head is a symbol enery, power, vilatily..

For more on.. [click on the link]
# Defense, Regeneration, The Pioneers, and The Discoverers..
# Plaque in honor of Louis Jolliet & Pere Jacques Marquette.
# Plaque in honor of La Salle & Henry De Tonti..
# Celebrating the bridge opening....
# The importance of Chicago River in early Chicago development..
# Granite squares commemorating Chicago Gateway Green committee efforts..
# Site of Fort Dearborn...
# Bust of Pointe DuSable.. click here..
# Site of McKinzie Mansion...

Site of Fort Dearborn

2011-05-17T11:45:00.000-07:00

Site of Fort Dearborn
Address: Intersection of Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive
Fort Dearborn: Year built: 1803, destroyed: 1812 ...
Second fort erected on the same site: 1816, demolished 1856 ..
Date Designated a Chicago Landmark: September 15, 1971..

The plaque reads..
Chicago Landmark ..
Site of Fort Dearborn
1803
Fort Dearborn served as a major western garrison of the United States until destroyed during an Indian unrising in August of 1812. A second fort erected on the same site in 1816, was demolished in 1856.
Designated a Chicago Landmark on Sepetember 15, 1971,
by the City Council of Chicago.
Richard J Daley, Mayor.
Commission on Chicago Historical and Architectural Landmarks ...

Non-native settlement of Chicago remained sparse until after the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, when Fort Dearborn was built on the south side of the Chicago River. Fort Dearborn - a U.S. Military Garrison - was the first government building to be built in Chicago. The fort was named for U.S. Secretary of War, Henry Dearborn. Its purpose was to protect the settlers against attacks by Native Americans. It ushered in an era of peaceful trade in the area and served as the country's major western military garrison until August 1812, when it was destroyed following an Indian uprising. A second fort, erected on the same site in 1816. However after the U.S. troops abandoned the Fort in 1837 and it was demolished in 1856. Whatever remained was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1871.

The Crain Communication Building [360 N. Michigan Avenue] was erected on the site of Fort Dearborn in 1922.. There are plaques at the entrance of this building marking the existence of Fort Dearborn, as shown in images below..

Here stood Fort Dearborn 1803-1812..

This building is erected on the site of Fort Dearborn ..
Fort Dearborn Destroyed: 1858..
Office Building Erected: 1922 ..

More more on Michigan Avenue Bridge and markers on the bridge.. click here..

Chicago Riverwalk: Michigan Avenue underbridge and markers..

2011-05-17T04:18:00.000-07:00

The completion of Michigan Avenue underbridge, has been accompanied by a lot of beautification along the walkway. There are several markers that highlight interesting trivia about river ecosystem and the engineering and architectural lighlights along the river..
Just around the Michigan Avenue bridge, we find these markers:

The Chicago River System
The River Runs Backwards
Riparian Plant Communities..
Water Meadow Plants
Upland Plants
Chicago River Wildlife
Chicago's Movable Bridges..
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago..
Chicago Architecture

The Chicago River System..
The Chicago River is often identified with the city downtown. However, the river that flows through the skyscrapers canyon is part of a larger system comprised of about 156 miles of natural stream and man-made canals starting in the far north suburbs. A major resource for recreation and commerce, it's water are shared by kayaks, canoes, tour boats, pleasure raft. fishermen and massive barges.

The River Runs Backwards..
Originally the Chicago River flowed east into Lake Michigan. Yet by the mid 1800s, the amount of sewage carried by the river into the lake threatened the city's drinking water supply. The completion of the 28-mile Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal in 1900 reversed the flow of the river away from the Lake and towards the Mississippi River.

Riparian Plant Communities..
Riparian plant community are often defined by their proximity and topographic relationship to water. They serve as a transition zone between aquatic and upland ecosystem.
Evergreen: Blue Chip Juniper
Shrubs: Gold Tide Forsythia, Black Chokeberry, Smooth Hydrangea
Grasses: Prairie Dropseed
Perennials and Forbs: Walkers Low Catmint
Bulbs: King Alfred Daffodils.

Water Meadow Plants..
Wet meadows are damp areas which periodically flood and can have saturated soil for much of the year. The native plants in the area can withstand changes in the river's water levels. Boulders are from McCook Chicago Underflow Plan Reservoir, a joint project by the Army Corps of Enginerrs and Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago.
Forbs: Great Blue Lobelia, Blue Flag Iris.

Upland Plants..
A plant community is an assemblage of plants with similar tolerences to enviornmental factors. These upland plants are a mix of native and non-native varities that can live in drought-like condition as well as areas that are well-drained.
Shrubs: Black Chokeberry, Grow Low Sumac, Smooth Hydrangea, Grefsheim Spirea
Grasses: Prairie Dropseed
Perennials and Forbs: Walker's Low Catmint, False Indigo, Butterfly Weed.

Chicago River Wildlife..
The mixture of river, marshes, prairie and forest surrounding the pre-settlement Chicago River suupported a variety of wildlife species, but number dwindled as development and pollution changed their habitat. With the health of river improving, many types of wildlife are returning. Native wildlife includes yellow perch and bluegill, beaver and otters, great blue herons and kingfishers, snapping turtles and bullfrogs.

Chicago's Movable Bridges..
Chicago has more movable bridges than any other city in the world. Most bridges over the Chicago River are trunnion bascule bridges known throughout the world as "Chicago Style". The French word "bascule" means teeter-totter. Through the mid-century they operated to accomodate commercial river traffic. Today, the bridges open in spring and fall to allow recreational boats to travel to and from Lake Michigan harbor.

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago..
One of 256 throughout the country, this 9-foot-wide grated shaft drops 200 feet down to the District Tunnel and Reservoir Plan [TARP] Mainstream System. Stormwater and combined sewage that would otherwise discharge to the river enters TARP here, travels 15 miles through a large tunnel to the Mainstream Pumping Station, then is pumped to the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant where it receives complete treatment before discharge to the river.

TARP is one of the District intricate system to improve water quality in the Chicago Area Waterways System.

Chicago Architecture..
Chicago architecture is world famous for its beauty and innovative style. From historic gems like the Wrigley Building to modern marvels like Trump Tower, these buildings reveal the city's rich architectural legacy. The building along the river has changed over time, with newer buildings embracing the riverfront, with public pathways and landscape along the bank.

The Michigan Avenue Bridge..

2011-05-17T03:50:00.000-07:00

The Michigan Avenue bridge was originally conceived as a part of Daniel Burnham's 1909 Plan of Chicago. The double-decker double-leaf trunnion bascule bridge was designed by architect Edward H. Bennet and engineers Thomas D. Pihlseldt and Hugh Young, and opened in 1920. The bridge provided an impressive gateway to North Michigan Avenue and contributed to it's development as one of city's premier throughfares. It was designated a Chicago Landmark in 1991.

Each bridge tower is adorned with a bas relief sculpture commemorating important events in Chicago history. The Northwest and Southeast towers house equipment to operate the bridge. The McCormick Bridgehouse and Chicago River Museum is now located within the Southwest tower.

Bust of DuSable - by Erik Blome

2011-05-16T22:56:00.000-07:00

Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable...
Sculptor: Erik Blome
Installed: 2009
Location: Pioneer Court..
Jean Baptiste Pointe du Sable [1745 -1818] ... popularly known as "The Father of Chicago", was the first known settler in the area which is now Chicago, Illinois. Du Sable was recognized by the State of Illinois and the City of Chicago as the Founder of Chicago on October 26, 1968..

DuSable Founders Way

2011-05-16T19:03:00.000-07:00

The Chicago River Esplanade located along the north bank of the Chicago River between Michigan Avenue and the N. Lakeshore Drive bridge is officially named the "DuSable Founder's Way". It includes a continuous river walkway with a series of landscaped cascading plazas.

As we walk down the stairways from the north-east of the Michigan Avenue bridge, there's a signage "Honorary: DuSable Founders Way". It can be seen in the image below, on the right corner..

Jean Baptiste Pointe du Sable [1745 -1818] popularly known as "The Father of Chicago", was the first known non-native settler in the area which is now Chicago, Illinois. Du Sable was recognized by the State of Illinois and the City of Chicago as the Founder of Chicago on October 26, 1968..

A bust of DuSable, by sculptor Erik Blome, as also been installed [in 2009] on the north-eastern corner of the bridge..
For more, click here..

Du Sable Homesite [at the north-east corner of Michigan Avenue bridge] has been designated a National Historic Landmark.

The bronze plaque reads..
Point Du Sable House ...
"Jean Baptiste Point Du Sable Homesite has been dedicated a National Historic Landmark. This site possesses national significance in commemorating the history of the United States of America
1977, National Park Service, United States Department of the Interior".

Kinzie Mansion..
Near this site stood Kinzie Mansion 1784-1832, home of Pointe Du Saible, Le Mai, and John Kinzie. Chicago`s `First Civilian'. Here was born, in 1805, the city`s first white child, Ellen Marion Kinzie.
Erected by Chicago`s Charter Jubilee
Authenticated by Chicago Historical Society - 1937.

On Friday, October 15, 2010, the Michigan Avenue bridge was officially renamed as DuSable bridge.

I find this walkway [DuSable Founders Way] to be a very beautiful relaxing place to just walk or sit on the chairs and enjoy the river and cityscape..

Walking on the DuSable Way, one can find..
- Chicago Rising from the Lake by Milton Horn..
- Nicholas J. Melas Centennial Plaza and Founatin..

At the eastern end of the walk a DuSable Park is under construction.

TARP Mainstream System

2011-05-13T08:19:00.000-07:00

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago..
Protecting Our Water Enviornment..
Tunnel and Reservoir Plan [TARP]
Mainstream System Drop Shaft No: DS-M 55

- The drop shaft is part of the District TARP System
- Combined Sewer and Stormwater in excess of capacity of local combined sewer systems enters TARP at theis Drop Shaft and is transported to the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant where it receives full treatment.
- The Tarp System is the District's Long Term Control Plan to reduce Combined Sewer Outflows into Chicago Area Waterway System.

If discharge during dry weather is suspected, please call 1-800-332-DUMP
For more information, please visit www.mwrd.org
where mwrd is Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago..

Tunnel and Reservoir Plan [TARP]
Mainstream System Drop Shaft No: DS-M 56

RELATED LINKS:
# Moving Waterwater..
# TARP: Mainstream System..
# Deep Tunnel and Green Stormwater Management..

McCormick Museum: Chicago's Bridges

2011-05-12T23:30:00.000-07:00

Chicago's Bridges..
There are four most popular bridge types in Chicago
Bascule Trunnion..
This bridge has a huge weight that counter balances the bridge leaf at a pivot point [the trunnion]. This makes opening and closing the bridge almost effortless.

Center Pier Swing Bridge..
The bridge sits on a pier in the middle of a waterway and rotates to allow traffic to pass on each side. This bridge type was not maintained on the Chicago River, which is very narrow. But a few remain on the Sanitary and Ship Canal.

Scherzer Rolling Lift Bridge..
This bridge features a counterweight similar to the bascule trunnion. It rocks back and forth, almost like the legs of a rocking chair.

Vertical Lift Bridge..
This bridge uses counterweight to lift the bridge span into the air like an elevation.

MICHIGAN AVENUE BRIDGE..
The Bascule Trunnuion Bridge
The Michigan Avenue bridge is a diouble leaf, double deck, bascule trunnion bridge. Bascule means "seesaw" in French, which is how the bridge operates. The bridge's steel and roadway weigh the same as the concrete and counterweight.

The bridge and counterweight balances on a trunnion - the point on which the bridge pivots.

The bridge is almost perfect balance, which means a surprisingly small motor lifts it.

The bridge's control system - the source from whch the bridge receives it's signal to open or close - consists of a magnetic primary control and a DC auxiliary control.

The motor requires little electricity because power was very expensive when the bridge was built.

The bridge operates on a 108-horsepower 550 V motos, one on each leaf [two per side]. Each leaf also feature a brake for additional safety.

The motor [the gray box marked "Earle"] rotates a shaft, which turns a series of gears that increase in size to transfer power easily.

The final gear, the bull gear, has wider teeth that actually rotates the rack, opening and closing the bridge.

McCormick Museum [Random Images from the museum]..

2011-05-12T21:15:00.000-07:00

McCormick Museum: Early Settlements

2011-05-12T08:15:00.000-07:00

A Land for Many People..
Native Americans, such as Chippewa, Ottawa, Pottawatomi, and Miami, used Chicago River and it's portage for thousands of uyears. The waterways supplied sustenance for the communities and were lifelines for travel and trade.

Wolf Point..
A designated Chicago Landmark..
For more, click here.

Fort Dearborn..
Site of Fort Dearborn, is a designated Chicago Landmark..
For more, click here..

John Kenzie House, originally owned and built by DuSable..
The site of Kenzie home is designated a National Historic Landmark..
For more, click here..

McCormick Museum [Reversal of Chicago River]

2011-05-12T07:22:00.000-07:00

How do you make the river run backwards?
First pollution case before Supreme Court..
The Big Ditch

How do you make a River Run Backwards?..
All water flows downhill. To reverse a river, you need to change the shape of the hill. The Chicago River used to flow into Lake Michigan because the lake was the region's lowest point.

But the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal changed that. The Canal became progressively deeper so that the point where it meets the Des Plaines River is lower than Lake Michigan. Gravity allows the water to flow without aid of pumps towards the Mississippi River and eventually the Gulf of Mexico.

The locks separating the Chicago River from the Lake Michigan did not reverse the river. Instead they prevent too much lake water from entering the river.

A case for Uncle Sam to settle..

Chicago's Bluff..

First Pollution Case before Supreme Court..
In 1906 State of Missouri v. State of Illinois and The Sanitary District of Chicago was the first pollution case to go before the Supreme Court. The Court voted in favor of Illinois.

The Big Ditch..
The clear water of Lake Michigan have invaded the Chicago River..
- Chicago Daily Tribune, January 4, 1900..

To protect the drinking water the Sanitary District of Chicago opted to reverse the river by digging the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. This redirected the city's waste away from the lake to the Mississippi River. Though a benefit to the health of Chicago's population, those downstream objected.

Missouri sought to halt the canal with a court order stating that the canal threatened their health. Hearing of Missouri's move, officials secretly opened a temporary dam, allowing water to flow into the canal. Once it was "open", Missouri could not stop the project.

McCormick Museum [TARP and Moving Wastewater]

2011-05-12T06:58:00.000-07:00

Before reading below, it's necessary to understand what is TARP?
It stands for The Tunnel and Reservoir Plan, commonly known as the Deep Tunnel Project or the Chicago Deep Tunnel. It's a large civil engineering project that aims to reduce flooding in the metropolitan Chicago area, and to reduce the harmful effects of flushing raw sewage into Lake Michigan by diverting storm water and sewage into temporary holding reservoirs. The project is managed by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago. Commissioned in the mid-1970s, the project is far from completion, although a large part of the system is operational.

The Deep Tunnel..
In the early 19070s , raw sewage ended up in local rivers on an average of once every four days. Urged by Mayor Richard J. Daley, the Sanitary District developed a control system called the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan [TARP] nicknamed Deep Tunnel.

By decreasing the number of times raw sewage ends up in river, TARP helps clean up local waterways. During times of heavy rain, combined sewer diverts stormwater and sewage into underground tunnels and reservoirs, which hold waste water until the treatment plants can catch up and process the excess.

TARP was a massive undertaking. The Mainstream Tunnel which runs parallel to the Chicago River is 35 feet in diameter, holds one billion gallons and is carved in the limestone bedrock approx. 300 feet below ground.

Moving Wastewater..
The way we deal with sewage and stormwater impacts the water quality of local lakes and rivers. Chicago and some of the closer suburbs have combined sewer and TARP. Outer suburbs have seperate systems for sewage and stormwater.

Combined Sewers Before TARP
Chicagoland's wastewater treatment plants can treat two billion gallons a day. But, during heavy rainstorms, these plants were overwhelmed when upto five billion gallons of wastewater reached into the combined sewerpipes. Without TARP, raw sewage and stormwater dumped directly into the Chicago River - a combined sewer overflow.

Combined Sewers with TARP
TARP, which serves 375 square miles in Chicago and fifty-one suburbs, make a huge difference in water quality of Chicago River. During heavy storm, TARP is able to intercept rainwater and raw sewage and channel it into its tunnels and reservoirs, where it is held until it can be treated. Although incredibly effective, storm can and do overwhelm sewer outflows. Therefore, increasing areas where rainwater can be absorbed into graound directly is critical.

Seperate sewers
In newer suburbs, like Chicago's northern ones, there are two types of pipes: one for stormwater and one for sewage. The sewage pipes flow directly to treatment plants. So the sewage can never reach the river. The stormwater pipes flow directly to the river, picking up pollutants like salt, oil, pesticides along the way. This water is not treated. To prevent the pollutants from harming the river, in the best cases, stormwater flows into detention basins and wetlands, where some water seeps into the ground, large debris settles out, and plants absorb some of the pollutants.

RELATED LINKS:
# Moving Waterwater..
# TARP: Mainstream System..
# Deep Tunnel and Green Stormwater Management..

McCormick Museum [River Wildlife]

2011-05-12T04:49:00.000-07:00

The Downtown River is full of life
We'er not just talking about the wildlife on river tours or in pleasure boats or canoes! We're talking about the beavers that are so abundant that trees at Wolf Point [near Merchandise Mart] have protective fences. American coots float beneath Columbus Drive bridge. And peregrine falcons swoop overhead. A vast variety of fish called the Main Stem their home, including pumkinseed sunfish, emerald shiner, largemouth Bass and northern pike.

Wildlife is abundant..
About seventy species of fish live in the Chicago River, including yellow perch, bluegills and catfish. Beaver, mink, mud-puppies snapping turtles, dragonfly larvae, crayfish and freshwater mussels do too.

Birds in the watershed includes the endangered black crowned night heron, bald eagles, kingfisher, sandhill cranes, bobolinks, owls, wild turkeys and kestrels.

Cayotes, deer, fox, skunks, smooth green snakes and bats roam and the prairies and wooded areas. Salamanders, bullfrogs, box turtles and water snake hide in the wet areas near the river.

Random Images: US Coast Guard

2011-05-11T19:13:00.000-07:00

Random Images: US Coast Guard..

Random Images: Chicago Police

2011-05-11T19:12:00.000-07:00

Chicago Police..

Random Images: Chicago Marine Towing

2011-05-11T09:01:00.000-07:00

Tow Boat: Chicago Marine Towing..
I saw a tow boat going in great hurry and back with a baot being towed..

Random Images; Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago

2011-05-11T07:14:00.000-07:00

Random Images; Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago

Wabash Avenue bridge

2011-05-10T16:29:00.000-07:00

Wabash Avenue bridge
Opened: December 30, 1930
Width: 90 feet
Span between trunnions: 269 feet
Weight: 2600 tons..

Wabash Avenue underbridge..

Irv Kupcinet bridge..
A memorial plaque on the bridge shows that the nickname "Irv Kupcinet Bridge" was appended to this bridge in 1985 to honor a well-known Sun Times Columnist often called simply "Cup." At one time, the Chicago Sun Times building was located near this bridge, where Trump Tower is currently being built. This explains why the bridge was named after a columnist rather Kinzie Street bridge, which is near the current Sun Times Building.

Points of interest in it's vicinity..
- Irv Krupcient Memorial
- Heald Square Memorial
- Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Irv Krupcinet Memorial.

Heald Square Monument..

Vietnam Veterans Memorial..

RELATED LINKS..
Irv Krupcinet Memorial.
Heald Square Monument..
Vietnam Veterans Memorial..

The Nation's Busiest Port..

2011-05-09T05:15:00.000-07:00

Did You Know?
The Nation's Busiest Port..
The opening of Illinois and Michigan Canal in 1848 established a route for water traffic between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River. Vessels carried good from Lake Michigan down the Chicago R8iver to Bridgeport, where they were transferred to canal boats pulled by mules for the 96-mile journey to LaSalle-Peru and the Illinois River.

The opening of the Illinois and Michigan Canal contributed to Chicago's boom in the late 1800s. For a period in the 1890s, the Chicago River was nation's busiest port, at time so filled with streamers an schooners carrying grain and lumber that one could cross the river by skipping from boat to boat. Whafs along the banks were crowded with grain elevators, railroad terminals and warehouses.

In 1900 the Chicago Sanitary and Ship canal replaced the Illinois and Michigan Canal as a route for commercial traffic between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River. The deeper and wider channel allowed large vessels to travel the entire length without the use of canal boats.

The Chicago River remain a working river today, with over 2,000,000 tons of cargo shipped on it's water annually. Industrial facilities on the river rely on the economies of scale provided by barge shipping, and barges keep trucks off the city streets, every barge on the river keeps an average of 60 trucks off the road.

Even as industrial shipping continues, the river is evolving to support a broad range of uses. Barges now share water with pleasure boaters, commercial tour boats, rowers and paddlers. Over 600,000 passengers pass through Chicago lock at the mouth of Chicago River on commercial boat tours each year. Paddlers can now enjoy five canoe launch in Chicago parks, with more access points planned in the future..

Irv Kupcinet Memorial, by Preston Jackson

2011-05-08T20:33:00.000-07:00

Irv Kupcinet Memorial
Sculptor: Preston Jackson
Completed: 2006
Bronze
Donated by the Kupcinet Family and Friends
City of Chicago Public Art Collection...
Richard M.Daley, Mayor..
For much more detail, click here..

Heald Square Monument..

2011-05-08T08:38:00.000-07:00

Heald Square Monument..
George Washington, Robert Morris and Hyam Salomon Memorial holding hands ..
Sculptor: Lorado Taft, completed by Leonard Crunelle..
Completed: 1941
Description: Bronze, H 11 ft. 8 in. x W 10 ft. 10 in. x D 5 ft. 3 in.
Location: Heald Square, East Wacker Dr. at Wabash Ave.
Date Designated a Chicago Landmark: September 15, 1971
City of Chicago Public Art Collection ..
Commissioned by The Patriotic Foundation of Chicago..
For more, click here..

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

2011-05-07T17:22:00.000-07:00

Vietnam Veterans Memorial ..
Also known as: Wabash Plaza
Construction completed: 2005
Designed by: Ross Barney & Jankowski Architects
Location: Wacker Drive at Wabash, The Loop 60601, Chicago..

For much more detail, click here..

State Street bridge

2011-05-05T16:11:00.000-07:00

State Street bridge..
Also known as Bataan-Corregidor Memorial bridge..
Opened: May 28, 1949
Width: 108 feet
Span between trunnions: 245 feet
Weight: 2100 tons..

The plaque reads: "Dedicated to the memory of those gallant heroes from the Chicago area who were members of the besieged garrison on the Bataan peninsula and at Corregidor, Philippine Islands in World War II. May the courage and fortitude displayed by this group in the face of adversity be a constant inspiration to our citizens."

From the City of Chicago's Oficical Tourism website, click here..
Bataan-Corregidor Memorial Plaque State Street Bridge
On April 9, 1942, the 76,000 Filipino and American troops on Bataan surrendered the peninsula to the Japanese. The troops had held Bataan for 14 weeks. Only one month later, the 13,000 defenders of Corregidor gave up the island at the entrance of Manila Bay. Except for scattered guerrilla resistance, the fall of the Philippines was complete.

For one week, Corregidor prisoners were not fed; later they were hauled ashore in freighters, driven like cattle through the streets of Manila and then shipped on a train to an improvised prison camp at Cabantuan.

Bataan's survivors were treated even worse. Food, water and medicine were in short supply for the more than 50,000 captives. Most had to walk 65 miles north to Camp O'Donnell. Some soldiers were treated well, but most faced cruelty at the hands of their captors. Seven thousand men died on this march to Camp O'Donnell, which is now called the Bataan Death March. A soldier-poet who would later die in captivity wrote of Bataan's benumbed marchers: "The suffering column moves. I leave behind/Only another corpse, beside the road."

The Bataan-Corregidor Memorial Bridge was first dedicated in 1948 and then re-dedicated by Mayor Richard M. Daley on the 100th anniversary of Philippine Independence, and on the occasion of Bataan Day, April 9, 1998.

Chicago River Wildlife

2011-05-04T19:40:00.000-07:00

Did You Know?
Chicago River Wildlife..
The Chicago River is one of Chicago's longest and largest corridors of open space. It serves as an important santuary for wildlife, connecting patches of habitat for many creatures. It is a flyway for migrating birds and a permanent home to many species of fish, animals and birds.

Visitors of Chicago's parks and forest preserves along the river may see muskat and mink feeding on the banks.Great blue herons are a common sight throughout the river system. Paddlers may also see little green herons and state endangered black crowned night heron out on the water. Even areas which are very urban in character may be home to a surprizing amount of wildlife. Beaver, fox, salamanders and turtles have been sighted on the river in the Loop.

Fish have made a comeback in the river in the recent years, thanks to improved water quality and anglers can be found on all of the river's branches. The number of species found in the river has increased from 10 in the 1970 to 69 today. For example game fish such as largemouth bass, bluegill and pumpkinseed are regularly found in the waterway.

The City of Chicago, The Chicago Park District and groups like Friends of Chicago River are working to protect wildlife habitat on the river, and restore additional habitat whereever possible.

Dearborn Street bridge

2011-04-29T18:42:00.000-07:00

Dearborn Street bridge..
Open: October 23, 1963
Width: 86 feet
Span between trunnions: 235 feet
Weight: 2100 tons..
It is essentially identical in design to the narrower Wabash Avenue Bridge, constructed three decades earlier, in 1930.

The plaque reads..
Chicago's first movable bridge was constructed at this site in 1834. The timber span provided only a 60 foor opening for the passage of vessels. So dangerous to ships was the narrow draw, that the bridge was ordered removed by the council in 1839. The present bridge is the fourth at this site.

Chicago's Movable Bridges

2011-04-28T13:09:00.000-07:00

Chicago's Movable Bridges..
Chicago is famous as the birthplace of many movable bridge designs. Because of Chicago River's narrow width, bridges along most of the river do not have room to reach a high enough span to allow for river traffic to pass underneath, and so bridges must be designed to open for river traffic.

All the branches on the Main Branch of the Chicago River are bascule trunnion bridges. Bascule is a French word that means seesaw or rocker. This bridge type works by balancing the weight of the road with a counterweight on a pivot point called a trunnion. The design allows for the counterweight to be placed underneath the roadway. Chicago's bascule trunnion bridges are meticulously balanced, so that only a very small motor is required to lift the bridge. The balance is so precise that the counterweight must be recalibrated when bridges are painted.

The city of Chicago maintains thirty-seven movable bridges. Thirty-two are on the Main, North and South branches of the Chicago River. Five are on the Calumet River.

Chicago Riverwalk: Fish Hotel

2011-04-27T07:03:00.000-07:00

Fish Hotel..
Chicago Riverwalk just east of the Dearborn Street bridge.
The Fish Hotel opened in 2005, at the southwest corner of Michigan Avenue bridge [now DuSable bridge]. With the construction of Michigan Avenue underbridge, it was moved to the Dearborn Street Bridge, in 2008. It was started as a pilot project by Friends of Chicago River, a non-profit organization.

The hotel is a combination of floating and submerged islands anchored to the steel walls lining the river. Islands are planted with wetland vegetation that will provide shelter and attract insects and other food for a variety of fish species..
- Monifa Thomas, staff reporter of Chicago Sun Times..
READ MORE..
Hotel hopes to lure fish back to downtown, click here..
Friends of Chicago River website, click here..

There is floating island, submerged island, submerged fish-crib, floating water log, poultry netting to prevent plant predation by water-fowl..

What lies beneath.. click to enlarge..

Clark Street Bridge

2011-04-25T17:50:00.000-07:00

Clark Street Bridge..
Openedd: July 10, 1929
Width: 72 feet
Span between trunnions: 245 feet
Weight: 1400 tons.

The Eastland Disaster

2011-04-24T02:56:00.000-07:00

On the morning of July 24, 1915, Chicago's greatest tragedy occured on the Chicago River between Clark and LaSalle streets. Employees of the Western Electric Company's Hawthorne Works and their friends and families were scheduled to depart on a two-hour cruise aboard the passenger steamer the S.S.Eastland, crossing Lake Michigan to a planned parade and day-long picnic in Michigan City, Indiana.

Before the Eastland cast-off its liner from the wharf area, it rolled into the Chicago River with 2,500 people on board. Hundreds of people were dancing on the deck when the ship capsized and 844 people lost their lives in just minutes. The disaster is the worst disaster in the Chicago's history in terms of loss of life. Twenty-two entire families perished in the water.

The cause of the disaster have never been confirmed, but several theories are well known. The steamer had a reputation for being top-heavy with a very temperamental ballast system. The addition of more life-boats before the Western Electric exercursion also increased the instability of the vessel.

George Dubeau, a Western Electric employee who observed the tragedy unfold before him, recalled, "It was a terrible sight - men and women and children being plunged into the water and all screaming. In a minute the water was ful of people with only their heads above water and all calling to be saved - that is, those who did not sink at once."

Credit: the eastland Disister Historical Society.

The Eastland Disaster

2011-04-23T18:15:00.000-07:00

The commemorative plaque reads ...
THE EASTLAND DISASTER..
While still partially tied to it's dock at the river's edge, the excursion steamer Eastland rolled over on the morning of July 24, 1915. the result was one of the worst meritime disasters in American history. More than 800 people lost their lives within a few feet of the shore. The Eastland was filled to overflowing with picnic bound West Electric Company employees and their families when the tragedy occured. Investigations following the disaster raised questions about the ship's seaworthiness and inspection of the Great Lakes steamers in general.

Erected by
Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, The Eastland Disaster Historical Society, The City of Chicago and the Illinois State Historical Society, 2000" ...

Even though this disaster resulted in the largest death toll of any single event occurring in the continental United States in the twentieth century, very few people are familiar with the story.

The building here is the 400,000 square foot Reid Murdoch Center ... It lies on the south bank of the Chicago River between LaSalle and Clark Streets. It was built in 1913 as a central food processing plant for Reid, Murdoch & Company, whose name remains part of the riverfront facade today.

It is on the National Register of Historic Places and also designated as a Chicago Landmark.

The building was one of the first structures to be erected in full accordance with Burnham's vision that the Chicago River should serve the City much as the River Seine serves Paris or the River Thames serves London ... The most distinguishing feature is the clock tower with four massive internally illuminated translucent glass faces.

Hubbard's Folly

2011-04-22T04:05:00.000-07:00

Hubbard's Folly
On this site about 1834, Gurdon S. Hubbard built Chicago's first ware-house, for storing pork and other pioneer produce. Because of its size and substantial construction, early skeptics called the building, "Hubbard's Folly".
Erected by
Chicago's Charter Jubilee
Authenticated by Chicago Historic Society, 1937.

LaSalle Street bridge

2011-04-20T18:48:00.000-07:00

LaSalle Street bridge..
Opened: Dec 20, 1928
Width: 86 feet
Span between trunnions: 242 feet
Weight: 2100 tons.

Bridgehouse..
Bridgehouse has wave-motif and Y-symbol!

Wave Motif!

Y-Symbol!

Reversal of Chicago River

2011-04-18T06:34:00.000-07:00

Did You Know?
Reversal of Chicago River..
Chicago owes it's location to the Chicago River and its strategic importance as a water link between the Great Lakes and the Gulf of Mexico. The small frontier outpost that began at the mouth greew quickly into a burgeoning metropolis. As the city grew, it transformed the river from a shallow prairie stream to a bustling harbor and an open sewer. In the 1800's the river was crowded with schooners and steamer ships loaded with goods, while sewage and byproducts from slaughter houses, sawmills and tanneries fouled its water.

In 1900, the Sanitary District of Chicago [today called the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago] reversed the River to convey the growing city's wastes away from Lake Michigan and its drinking water supply. The reversal was accomplished by digging the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, which cut through a natural drainage divide separating the Chicago River and the Des Plaines River basins. Because the Canal is lower than the Lake Michigan, the water in the river flowers "backwards" away from the Lake, eventually reaching Mississippi River at the Gulf of Mexico.

The North Shore Channel was completed in 1909, flushing additional wastewater from the north suburbs away from Lake Michigan. The Cal-Sag Channel was completed in 1922, reversing the Calumet River. The Chicago harbor Lock at the mouth of the River was built in 1930s to control the amount of water diverted from Lake Michigan.

Wells Street bridge

2011-04-15T06:32:00.000-07:00

Wells Street bridge..
Opened: Febuary 11, 1922
Width: 72 feet
Span between trunnions: 268 feet
Weight: 2100 tons

Bridgehouse..

Chicago River: Deep Tunnel and Green Stormwater Management

2011-04-12T14:12:00.000-07:00

What is Deep Tunnel?
Chicago like many older cities, has a combined sewer system that carries sewage and stormwater in the same pipes. During heavy rains the system can become full and can cause a mixture of stormwater and sewage to overflow into the river. These overflows provide relief that lessens the excess water that can back up into basements.

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago is building the Tunnel and Reservoir Project [also known as Deep Tunnel] to capture and store the excess water. The project consists of a series of tunnels deep in the bedrock under the river system and two large reservoirs. The tunnels were completed in 2006. With nearly 3 billion gallons of storage capacity, they have already drastically reduced combined sewer overflows. The sewer will add over 15 billion additional gallons of storage capacity and will be completed in stages over next 7 to 16 years.

Green Stormwater Management..
The City of Chicago is a leader in implementing green stormwater management projects such as permeable pavements, green roofs and rain gardens. these projects work as a complement to our traditional underground infrastructure by reducing the amount of water that gets into the sewer system in the first place. They also improve neighborhood qulaity of life with additional greenery.

Merchandise Mart Hall of Fame..

2011-04-11T17:29:00.000-07:00

Merchandise Mart Hall of Fame..
Bust sculptures of eight outstanding American merchants ...
by Minna Harkavy, Milton Horn, Lewis Iselin, Henry Rox, Charles Umlauf ..
Installed: 1953..
Description: Bronzes, four-times life-size (each)
Commissioned by The Merchandise Mart ..
Location:The Merchandise Mart main entrance at the Chicago River..

Robert Elkington Wood [By Minna Harkavy]
Julius Rosenwald [By Charles Umlauf]
Frank Winfield Woolworth [By Milton Horn]
Marshall Field [By Lewis Iselin]
John Wanamaker [By Lewis Iselin]
George Huntington Hartford [By Charles Umlauf]
Edward Albert Filene [By Henry Rox]
Aaron Montgomery Ward [By Milton Horn]

For much more detail, click here..

Franklin-Orleans Street bridge

2011-04-10T06:19:00.000-07:00

Franklin Orleans Street bridge..
Opened: October 23, 1920
Width: 62 feet
Span between trunnions: 252 feet
Weight: 1800 tons.

Bridgehouse..

Y-Symbol..

Wolf Point

2011-04-09T05:22:00.000-07:00

WOLF POINT ..
The piece of land jutted out into the river at the junction of the North Branch and the main stem of the Chicago River is called the Wolf Point. It's about 4 acres of land just west of Merchendise Mart ..

Wolf Point gets it's name from a tavern that existed here, with a sign of a wolf on a pole in front. Also "The Wolf" was a native American known to the early settlers ..

"In early days this elbow of land, formed by the junction of North and South branches of Chicago River, was the site of three taverns, Wolf Tavern, `Miller`s,` and the Sauganash."

Site of the Sauganash Hotel/Wigwam .. is designated a Chicago landmark ..
Address: Southeast Corner of Lake Street and Wacker Drive
Year Built: Sauganash Hotel: 1831 (Destroyed 1851)
Wigwam: 1860 (Destroyed ca. 1867)
Date Designated a Chicago Landmark: November 6, 2002 ..

From the city of Chicago Official Website ..
"The Site of the Sauganash Hotel/Wigwam is important in the history of Chicago's early development. Mark Beaubien built the Sauganash Hotel in 1831 at Wolf Point, on the east bank of the south branch of the Chicago River at the "Forks" of the River where the north and south branches meet. It was at the Sauganash Hotel in 1833 that the newly-formed Town of Chicago voted to elected its first town trustees and where many of the town meetings occurred. During a brief period in 1837 when the building was not in operation as a hotel, it served as Chicago's first theater. The Sauganash Hotel remained in almost continuous operation until it burned down in 1851.

The Wigwam, constructed on the same site nine years later, was home to the 1860 Republican National Convention. It was at this historic convention that Abraham Lincoln was nominated as the Republican candidate for president. His nomination and eventual election as the nation's 16th President triggered a series of dramatic events surrounding the abolition of slavery and the secession of several southern states, ultimately culminating in the Civil War. His powerful leadership skills are credited with having led the country successfully through perhaps its darkest time."

Chicago Riverwalk: Y-Symbol

2011-04-08T04:40:00.000-07:00

Y-Symbol at Franklin-Orleans Street bridge..

The Y-symbol can be found all over the Chicago city... bridges, fences, public buildings.. It is officially know as the "Municipal Device" and is a symbol of civic pride..
So what is Y-symbol?
Y-Symbol represents the three branches of Chicago River .. which forms an alphabet Y topography at the "Wolf Point", where the main branch of the river, divides into the North and South branches .. The Y-symbol is the symbol of the City of Chicago..
Inverted Y-Symbol..
At some places, inverted Y-symbol can be seen, with vertical stripe on top. It represents the reversal of the flow of Chicago River.

Y-symbol at LaSalle Street bridgehouse..

Y-Symbol at Vietnam Veterans Memorial..

Y-Symbol on light-fixture..

Y-Symbol on Riverwalk Gateway - by Ellen Lanyon

Y-Symbol on Civil Engineering Monument of the Millennium..

Y-Symbol at Navy Pier..

RELATED LINKS:
# Y-Symbol..
# Y-Symbol on Franklin-Orleans Street bridge..
# Y-Symbol on LaSalle Street bridge.
# Y-Symbol at Vietnam Veterans Memorial..
# Y-Symbol at Riverwalk Gateway.
# Civil Engineering Monument of the Millennium...

Ira J. Bach Walkway

2011-04-07T02:53:00.000-07:00

Ira J. Bach Walkway..
Everyone knows the Wacker Drive..
But few know the honorary street name Ira J. Bach Walkway ..
It's the Upper Wacker Drive between Franklin Street and Michigan Avenue [along the Chicago River]..

But more importantly, who was Ira J. Bach???
There is very liittle information. His head sculpture is at the Chicago Cultural center..

I saw this head sculpture at the Chicago Cultural Center ..
Below is inscribed..
Ira J. Bach
1906-1985
City and Regional Planner
1940-1985
"In developing a general plan, we must look at the city as if it were going to be entirely rebuilt, because a healthy city naturally rebuilds itself in the long run"..
Sculptor: Fiorle de Hernriquez
Thanks Phil Bach for the information on the sculptor!

Thanks to Alan Gornik for information on Ira J. Bach..
Ira Bach was an MIT trained architect who became Chicago's City Commission of Planning director in the late '50s. Prior to that he was the Exec Dir of the Cook County Housing Authority. Ira served as the Chairman of the Commission on Chicago Historical and Architectural Landmarks in the '80s. He had many other involvements in Chicago's planning efforts including O'Hare and the El line out to it. In 1983 he published "A Guide to Chicago's Public Sculpture," which remains an essential reference work. In '83 he was Chicago's Director of City Development. Other excellent references Ira Bach published were "Chicago on Foot" and "A Guide to Chicago's Historic Suburbs" and was editor of "Chicago's Famous Buildings." I took a special interest in Mr. Bach because we lived on the same street when I was a kid. I used to see him walking to the bus. He died in 1985...

Chicago Riverwalk: Wave Motif

2011-04-06T02:58:00.000-07:00

This wave mofit can be seen everywhere along the Chicago River..
Somethings scream for your attention, while some are more subtle and nuanced, like the wave-motif along the Chicago River. It can be seen on street lamp-posts, chairs and bridgehouses and even corbels. But only when observed carefully. Yesterday [June 1, 2011] was the first day I noticed!

Wave Motif on street lamp-posts..

Wave motifs on street chairs..

Wave motif on Michigan Avenue bridgehouse..

Wavemotif on LaSalle Street bridgehouse..

Wave Motif on corbels, near Wabash Avenue..

Lake Street bridge

2011-03-27T06:42:00.000-07:00

Lake Street bridge ..
Crossing: Chicago River South Branch
Completed: 1916
The Lake Street Bridge, is the only other bridge in Chicago that looks like the Wells Street Bridge. This bridge, like Wells Street, is a two level bridge, that carries the Chicago El on its top level. These are the only river bridges that carry the Chicago El.

Chicago River bridges [ From Cityscape Bar, Holiday Inn]

2011-03-27T04:39:00.000-07:00

Chicago River - main branch..

Chicago River - south branch..

333 Wacker Drive..

Merchandise Mart..

Cityscape Bar, Holiday Inn..

Cityscape Bar, Holiday Inn..

RELATED LINKS..
Chicago Cityscape Series..

Kinzie Street Railroad bridge [abandoned]

2011-03-26T05:50:00.000-07:00

Kinzie Street Railroad bridge
Crossing: Chicago River North branch
Completed: 1907, Now abandoned..
This railroad bridge is always in the up position and is no longer used by trains. It is one of only a few bascule bridges in Chicago where the counterweight is above the ground. At the time of its completion, it was the heaviest as well as the longest bascule leaf in the world.

Notice the train tracks..

Chicago Marine Safety Station

2011-03-22T07:02:00.000-07:00

Chicago Marine Safety Station [CMSS}..
It accomodates Chicago Marine Police, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and the United States Coast Guard.
The CMSS was renovated in 2005 .. and now includes..
- High-tech computerized command center,
- Joint Operations Conference room with video screen,
- Interior space that includes three dormers,
- Floating boat dock system provided by the Chicago Park District.
The station also houses Chicago’s first geothermal system designed to decrease fuel consumption by making good use of water from the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. The Illinois Clean Energy Foundation provided the grant for the system.

This building was known by many names throughout the years, including, Coast Guard Station Old Chicago, Coast Guard Lifeboat Station Old Chicago, Coast Guard Station Chicago, Chicago Police Marine Unit Headquarters and now after the completed revitalization, it's named Chicago Marine Safety Station..

"The Marine Safety Station is a great example of the city, state, and federal governments – all working together – to benefit not only the City, but also Lake Michigan, Chicago’s greatest natural resource"..
- Mayor Richard M. Daley

REALTED LINKS..
# Navy Pier: Smith Museum of Stained Glass ...
# Navy Pier: Chicago Skyline from Aeroballoon ..
# Chicago Harbor Lighthouse..
# Chicago Harbor Lock...
# Chicago Marine Safety Station..

Chicago RiverWalk Bldgs. - Main Branch - I [North Bank]

2011-03-21T19:30:00.000-07:00

Here are some buildings along the Main branch of Chicago River..
Beginning from North Bank, west to east..

Chicago Sun Times Bldg.
Merchandise Mart
325 N Wells
300 N LaSalle
Reid Murdock Center
321 N Clark
Westin Chicago River North
Marina City
House of Blues
IBM Bldg.
Trump Imternational Hotel
Wrigley Bldg.
Equitable Bldg.
Gleacher Center [University of Chicago]
Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Tower
Cityfront Place
River East

[1] Chicago Sun Times..
Architect: Skidmore, Owings and Merrill..
Completed: 1977..
This building was previously the Apparel Mart and was built as a compliment the the neighboring Merchandise Mart. In 2004, the Sun-Times newspaper moved its offices into the building, when its former headquarters building was sold to make way for the Trump Tower.

[2] Merchandise Mart..
Architect: Graham, Anderson, Probst and White..
Completed: 1931.
The building was the largest in the world in terms of floorspace, but was surpassed by The Pentagon in 1943..
In 1988, Helmut Jahn designed an enclosed pedestrian walking bridge over Orleans Street connecting the Mart and the Apparel Center..

[3] 325 N Wells
Architect: L. Gustave Hallberg - 1912
Booth Hansen & Assocs. - 1984

[4] 300 N LaSalle
Architectural firm Pickard Chilton
Developed by Hines..
Completed: 2009
This 60-story building, has LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, which establishes the building as a major sustainable design development.

[5] Reid Murdoch & Co. Building..
Also called Central Office Building..
Artchitect: George C. Nimmons
Completed: 1914..
Address: 321 N. LaSalle, Chicago IL..
Date Designated a Chicago Landmark: November 15, 1976..
It was built as a central food processing plant for Reid, Murdoch & Company. It was one of the first designs to respond to the 1909 Plan for Chicago's goal for riverfront redevelopment. Docking facilities are recessed at the water level, while a promenade extends at street level. The most distinguishing feature is the clock tower with four massive internally illuminated translucent glass faces.

[6] 321 N Clark
Architect: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
Completed: 1987

[7] Westin Chicago River North
Architect: Helmuth, Obata & Kassabaum
Completed: 1987

[8] Marina City
Completed: 1964
Architect: Bertrand Goldberg, a student of Mies van der Rohe..
It has two identical corncob-shaped 65-story towers .. with 5-story elevator and the bottom 18 stories is parking space.
At the base of the famous of Marina City buildings, the House of Blues opened in 1996..

[9] House of Blues..

[10] IBM building..
Architect: Mies Van der Rohe
Completed: 1971
Location: 330 N Wabash Avenue..
This is Mies’ last American building and his largest. Like most International style buildings, this skyscraper has a glass curtain wall, with aluminum and bronze-tinted glass. But unlike many later curtain-wall skyscrapers with uniform facades, IBM's facade is characterized by differentiating glass, spandrel and mullion - window frames are raised and spandrel panels recessed..

[11] Trump International Hotel
Architects: Skidmore, Owings and Merrill

[12] Wrigley Building
Architect: Graham, Anderson, Probst & White
Completed: 1921-24

[13] Equitable Bldg.
Skidmore Owings & Merrill
1965

[14] Gleacher Center [University of Chicago]
Architect: Lohan Assocs.
Completed: 1994

[15] Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Tower
Archtect: Solomon Cordwell Duenz & Assocs.
Completed: 1992

[16] Cityfront Place
Architect: Solomon Cordwell Buenz & Assocs., DeStefano + Associates, Gelick Foran & Assocs.
Completed: 1991.

[17] River East
Architect: Solomon Cordwell Buenz & Assocs., De Stefano + Associates
Completed: 2000-04

[18] Chicago Spire
Architect: Santiago Calatrava, Perkins & Will
Under Construction

RELATED LINKS..
# Chicago Riverwalk Buildings..

Chicago Riverwalk Bldgs. - Main Branch - II [South Bank]

2011-03-19T06:03:00.000-07:00

The Chandler
The Regatta
Swissotel Chicago
303 East Wacker
Hyatt Regency Chicago
One Illinois Center
333. N Michigan
360 N Michigan [Crain Communicationb Bldg.]
Mather Tower [75 E. Wacker Drive]
Hotel 71
Seventh Church of Christ Scientists
35 E. Wacker
One East Wacker
Renaissance Hotel
Leo Burnett Bldg
55 West Wacker
United Building [77 West Wacker]
Shangri-La
LaSalle-Wacker Building
222 North LaSalle
205 West Wacker
333 West Wacker

[19] The Chandler [Lakeshore East]
Architect: DeStefano + Associates
Completed: 2007

[20] The Regatta [Lakeshore East]
Architect: DeStefano + Associates
Completed: 2007

[21] Swissotel Chicago
Architect: Harry Weese & Assocs.
Completed: 1989

[22]303 East Wacker
Architect: Fujikawa Johnson & Assocs.
Completed: 1979

[23] Hyatt Regency Chicago
Architect: A. Epstein & Sons
Completed: 1974, 1980

[24] One Illinois Center
Architect: Ludwig Mies van Der Rohe
Completed: 1970

[25] 333. N Michigan
Architect: Holabird & Root
Completed: 1928.

[26] 360 N Michigan [Crain Communicationb Bldg.]
Architect: Alfred Alschuler
Completed: 1923

[27] Mather Tower [75 E. Wacker Drive]
Architect: Herbert Hugh Riddle
Completed: 1928

[28] Hotel 71
Architect: Milton Schwartz & Assocs.
Completed: 1958

[29] Seventh Church of Christ Scientists
Architect: Harry Weese & Assocs.
Completed: 1968

[30] 35 E. Wacker
Architect: Giaver & Dinkelberg, Thielbar & Fugard Assocs. Arch.
Completed: 1926

[31] One East Wacker
Architect: Shaw Metz & Assocs.
Completed: 1962

[32] Renaissance Hotel
Architect: William Taber & Assocs
Completed: 1991

[33] Leo Burnett Bldg.
Architect: Kevin Roche / John Dinkelon & Assocs, Shaw & Assocs.
Completed: 1989

[34]55 West Wacker
Architect: C F Murphy & Assocs.
Completed: 1968

[35] United Building [77 West Wacker]
Prmerly, R R Donnelley Bldg.
Architect: Ricardo Bofill Arquilecture, DeStafano + Associates
Completed: 1992

[36] Shangri-La
Architect: Thomas Hoepf Principal Architect, Teng & Assocs.
Completed:

[37] LaSalle-Wacker Building
Architect: Holabird & Root, Rebori, Dewey
Wentworth and McCormick
Completed: 1930

[38] 222 North LaSalle
Architect: Graham Anderson, Probst & White - 1927
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill - 1986

[39] 205 West Wacker
Architect: D.H.Burnham & Co.
Completed: 1928

[40] 225 West Wacker
Architect: Kohn Pedersen & Fox, Perkins & Will
Completed: 1989

[41] 333 West Wacker
Architect: Kohn Pedersen & Fox, Perkins & Will
Completed: 1979-83

RELATED LINKS..
# Chicago Riverwalk Buildings..

333 Wacker Drive [Architect: Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates]

2011-03-16T06:43:00.000-07:00

333 Wacker Drive
Completed: 1983Architects: Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates..
This building was the first skyscraper designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates, who have gone on to become one of the world's best known designers of tall buildings.

The building makes the northwest corner of Chicago's "Loop", the curved wall of green glass follows a bend in the Chicago River.

The building is flanked on both sides by office towers by the same architects:
# 225 West Wacker to the left, and
# 191 North Wacker to the right.

RELATED LINKS..
# Chicago Riverwalk Buildings..

River Cottages [ Architect: Harry Weese]

2011-03-16T06:05:00.000-07:00

River Cottage..
Construction finish: 1990
Architect: Harry Weese Associates
Location: 357-365 North Canal Street.

The architect Harry Weese is famous for incorporating triangular and circular patterns in his designs, which breaks away from the usual orthogonal grid patterns. The triangular patterns is visible everywhere in this building.

Weese used it's riverside location to incorporate nautical life in everyday life of residents, by providing for boat docking facilities..

Harry Weeses [1915-1998] was born in Evanston, Illinois.
Some of his well known works in Chicago includes:

200 S Wacker Drive..
Marriott Hotel, Magnificient Mile
Swissoetel..
Time Life building..
Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist..
The first loft conversion in Chicago at Fulton House..
The Metropolitan Correctional Center..
Sterling Morton Library at the Morton Arboretum..

Weese also led numerous restoration projects including..

Louis Sullivan's Auditorium Building in Chicago..
Field Museum of Natural History..
Orchestra Hall..

Fulton House Condominiums..
Address: 345 N Canal, Chicago, IL 60606 ..
Fulton House was the first loft conversion in Chicago of an industrial warehouse to a residential apartment [in 1981] and it was done by the same architect Harry Weese.
Fulton House is just next to the River Cottages, although it's a much older building. It was originally built in the mid 1890's, by Frank Abbott as a 15-story tall building. In 1908 a 16th floor was added and it was converted to a cold-storage warehouse, named North American Cold Storage Warehouse. At that time the windows did not exist. In 1981 it was converted to condominiums by Harry Weese & Associates architects..

The Metropolitan Correctional Center..
Address: 71 W. Van Buren St.
Architect: Harry Weese Associates
Completed: 1975
This reflects the triangular design patter that Weese incorporated in many of his buildings.

Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist..
Address: 55 E Wacker Drive, at Wabash Avenue..
Architect: Harry Weese
Completed: 1968
An example of Weese use of circular pattern.

RELATED LINKS..
# Chicago Riverwalk Buildings..

Marina City [ Architect: Bertrand GoldBerg]

2011-03-15T06:01:00.000-07:00

Marina City..
Completed: 1964
Architect: Bertrand GoldBerg, a student of Mies van der Rohe ..
Marina City is a mixed-use building complex.. combining residential with commercial use. It occupies an entire city block on State Street in Chicago, Illinois. It lies on the north bank of the Chicago River, directly across from Chicago's Loop district. The complex consists of two corncob-shaped 65-story, including 5-story elevator & physical plant penthouse ...

Marina City is a complex of two towers.. The two towers contain identical floor plans.. Its shape was in contrast with the contemporary architectural concepts of straight lines and cubical apartment buildings. The cylindrical shape was used to have less wind pressure. The architect chose reinforced concrete instead of steel as this was the only material in which he could create the petal shapes of the apartments.

The parking facility at Marina City.. The bottom 19 floors form an spiral parking ramp with 896 parking spaces per building. Thse are operated by valet. The 20th floor of each contains a laundry room with panoramic views of the Loop. Upwards from21 through 60 floors contain apartments [450 per tower]. A 360-degree open-air roof deck lies on the 61st and top story.

House of Blues ...
At the base of the famous of Marina City buildings, the House of Blues opened in 1996. It is host to a mix of blues, jazz, funk, rap and world musicians who perform here. And is also a popular dining spot.

Some views from Marina City rooftop..

Bertrand Goldberg [1913-1997]..was born in Chicago..
Perhaps his best-known commission, Marina City in Chicago which completed in 1964.. After this he received many large commissions for hospitals, schools, and other public institutional buildings like
- Prentice Women's Hospital for Northwestern University..
- Science and medical complexes for SUNY Stony Brook..
- River City in Chicago.

River City in south Loop..complted in 1987. It bears a distinct resemblance to the Marina Towers .. Marina City is the first building of its kind.. Before Goldberg, there was nothing like it. Now a lot of architects, look upon him for inspiration..

RELATED LINKS..
# Chicago Riverwalk Buildings..

Rora - by Ginny Sykes

2011-03-10T04:21:00.000-08:00

Rora at Erie Terraces...
By Ginny Sykes..
Description: Glass mosaic..
Dedicated: June 4, 1999..
"Rora" was commissioned by the City of Chicago’s Percent for Art Program to express historical, geographic and cultural ideas about the Chicago River. In collaboration with the Chicago Department of Transportation, Department of Cultural Affairs, Wolff Clements and Associates, and Chicago Public Art Group, Rora at Erie Terraces won an honor award from the American Society of Landscape Architects in 1999.

# Contemporary Artists of Chicago - Ginny Sykes..

Related Links..
# Contemporary Artists of Chicago - Ginny Sykes..
# Funding of Public Art -I..
# Contemporary Sculptors of Chicago..

18th Street Railroad Bridge..

2011-02-10T21:32:00.000-08:00

18th Street Railroad bridge..
Over the South branch Chicago River..
I have very little information on this bridge. Any information is welcome!

The above two images taken from Roosevelt Road Bridge..

In the above image, on the right hand side, we can see the South Canal Street Railroad Bridge..

South Canal Street Railroad Bridge

2011-02-05T21:33:00.000-08:00

South Canal Railroad Bridge..
Type: Vertical lift Railroad Bridge..
Completed: 1915..
Built by Waddell and Harrington..
It's the only such example of vertical lift bridge on the Chicago River..
The bridge was originally owned by the Pennsylvania Railroad.
Now it is owned by Amtrak.

Especially like is the bridgehouse on the top on the bridge..

Also like when the bridge looks like one tall building..

Chicago River: North Bank [Chicago Cut Steak House]

2011-01-30T09:13:00.000-08:00

Chicago Cut Steakhouse
300 N LaSalle..

300 N LaSalle..
Architectural firm Pickard Chilton
Developed by Hines..
Completed: 2009
This 60-story building, has LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, which establishes the building as a major sustainable design development

Chicago River: North Bank [Fulton's onThe River]

2011-01-29T14:09:00.000-08:00

Fulton's on The River
315 North LaSalle St, Chicago, IL 60654

Reid Murdoch & Co. Building..
Also called Central Office Building..
Artchitect: George C. Nimmons
Completed: 1914..
Address: 321 N. LaSalle, Chicago IL..
Date Designated a Chicago Landmark: November 15, 1976..

Chicago River: North Bank [Bridge House Tavern]

2011-01-27T09:27:00.000-08:00

Bridge House Tavern..
321 N Clark Street..

321 N Clark Street..
Architect: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
Completed: 1987

Chicago River: South Bank [O'Brien's Riverwalk Cafe]

2011-01-15T09:48:00.000-08:00

O'Brains Riverwalk Cafe..

Chicago River: Boat & Bicycle Tours

2010-12-30T21:39:00.000-08:00

Recreation: Bicycles, Boat Tours and Cruises..

Bike and Roll
Chicago's First Lady Cruises and the Chicago Architectural Foundation [Boarding: Riverside Gardens on Chicago's Riverwalk]
Mercury Chicago's Skyline Cruises [Boarding: Riverside Gardens on Chicago's Riverwalk]
Chicago History Museum Cruises [Boarding: North Pier Docks on Ogden Slip at River East Arts Center..
Shoreline Sightseeing and Water Taxi [Boarding: Navy Pier]
Wendella Boats and Chicago Water Taxi [Boarding: 400 North Michigan Avenue, North-West of Michigan Avenue bridge]..

Bike and Roll rentals..
Various locations, including Navy Pier, Wabash and Wacker, Columbus and Wacker... and many more..

[I] Chicago's First Lady tours
Chicago's architectural tours..
Location: Riverside Gardens on Chicago's Riverwalk
112 E Wacker Drive..
It's fleet consists of Chicago's First Lady, Chicago's Fair Lady, Chicago's Little Lady and Lady Grebe..
Boarding at Riverside Gardens on Chicago's Riverwalk..
Check out the official website..
Chicago's First Lady, Click here..

[II] Mercury Skyline Cruises..
Boarding at Riverside Gardens on Chicago's Riverwalk..

[III] Chicago History Museum Cruises..
Architectural Cruise..
Boarding at North Pier Docks on Ogden Slip at River East Arts Center..
Check out the official website,
Chicago History Museum Cruise, click here..

[IV] Shoreline Sightseeing Cruises includes architectural cruises, shorline tours, fireworks cruises and water-taxi. It's fleet includes Star of Chicago, Evening Star, Bright Star, Voyegeur, Celebration. Boarding for cruises are from Navy Pier..
Boarding at Navy Pier..
For the official website.
Shoreline Sightseeing..
Dock Map and Boarding Location..

[V]Wendella Tours..
Wendella features three distinctive tours, all focusing on the history and architecture of the city. They include the Combined Lake and River Tour, the Chicago River Architecture Tour and Chicago at Sunset Tour..
Boarding at 400 N Michigan Avenue..
Check out the official website..
Wendella Tours, click here..

Bike and Roll Rentals

2010-12-26T07:18:00.000-08:00

Wabash and Columbus..

Wabash and Wacker..

Boats & Cruises [Chicago's First Lady tours]

2010-12-25T05:20:00.000-08:00

Chicago's Fair Lady..

Chicago's Little Lady..

Chicago's First Lady tours
Chicago's architectural tours..
Boarding: Riverside Gardens on Chicago's Riverwalk
112 E Wacker Drive..
It's fleet consists of Chicago's First Lady, Chicago's Fair Lady, Chicago's Little Lady and Lady Grebe..
Official Website, click here

Boarding at Riverside Gardens on Chicago's Riverwalk..

RELATED LINKS:
Chicago River: Boat & Bicycle Tours ..

Boats & Cruises [ChicagoLine Cruises by Chicago History Museum]

2010-12-21T07:28:00.000-08:00

Fort Dearborn..

Chicago History Museum offers ChicagoLine Cruises..
It provides Architectural and Historical Cruises..
It's feet consists of Fort Dearborn, Innifree and Marquette..
Boarding: North Pier Docks on Ogden Slip at River East Arts Center
Official Website, click here..

Marquette..

Innisfree..

Boarding: North Pier Docks on Ogden Slip at River East Arts Center..

Boats and Cruises [Shoreline Sightseeing]

2010-12-15T07:44:00.000-08:00

Evening Star..

Voyegeur..

Shoreline Sightseeing..
Boarding: Navy Pier..
its fleet consists of Star of Chicago, Evening Star, Bright Star, Voyageur, Celebration, Cap Streeter, Shoreline II, Marlyn, The Blue Dog..
Water Taxi: Giddy Up, Shake-A-Leg and Lickety-Split..

St Patrick's Day: Dyeing the Chicago River

2009-03-14T22:04:00.000-07:00

March 14, 2009..
Although St Patrick's Day is on 17th March, the parade takes place on the Saturday before the actual day, so this year it was on the 14th March. Chicago has this tradition of dyeing the Chicago River in an incredible shade of Irish or emerald green. What's interesting is that the dye is of orange color, but when it touches the water it turns yellow-orange and soon enough into green. The Chicago River is anyways green, but normally it's a murky shade of green. However, on this occassion it turns into bright emerald green.

The idea of dyeing the Chicago River green originally came about by accident. It goes back to the year 1961. A group of plumbers were using green dye to trace illegal substances that were polluting the river. Incidentally, Stephen Bailey, business manager of the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Local Union; noticed the dye being used could become an interesting way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day..

However the dye used then, is NOT used now-a-days as the Environmental Protection Agency outlawed the use of chemicals harmful to the river. But now "secret" ingredients are used that are safe to the enviornment. Many other cities have tried but have not been successful at getting this perfect shade of green. What is the formula for the dye? Just like the recipe for Coca Cola, it's a closely guarded secret! However the formula has been thoroughly tested by independent chemists and has been proven safe to the environment.

Some other images from St. Patrick's Day..

Construction of "underbridge connections" of the Chicago Riverwalk ...

2009-01-01T16:21:00.000-08:00

Chicago Riverwalk, is on the south bank of the Chicago River, extending from Lake Shore Drive to the Lake Street. AS such, it runs along the lower Wacker Drive. The riverwalk runs uninterrupted from the lakefront to Michigan Avenue. However, at Michigan Avenue, the riverwalk users must climb the stairs of the Michigan Avenue bridge, cross over to the west side of the street and descend another staircase to rejoin the riverwalk path. The exercise must be repeated at Wabash Avenue bridge.

In the images we see people walking up-down on the Michigan Avenue bridge.
There is plan for building pedestrian "under-bridges" that will run the width of the Michigan and Wabash bridges above. The under-bridges will jut out slightly from the riverbank to provide a continuous riverwalk path.
This involves construction works at two places:
# The Michigan underbridge ..
# The Wabash underbridge ..
The construction of both the underbridges are underway, starting with the Michigan under-bridge. The Wabash under-bridge will be three feet wider than the 17-foot-wide under-bridge at Michigan in order to extend the riverwalk beyond the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Wabash Plaza and continue the pathway to State Street..

Construction of the Michigan Avenue underbridge [Image taken, 2008]..

Construction of the Wabash Avenue underbridge [Image taken, 2008]

Here we see construction of both the Michigan Avenue and Wabash Avenue underbridges [Image taken 2008]...

POST-SCRIPT..
By 2010, the underbridges at Michgan Avenue and Wabash Avenue were complete..

Michigan Avenue Underbridge [Image taken, April, 2010]

Wabash Avenue underbridge [Image taken, April, 2010]..

State Street bridge.. No underpass..
So the work of making a continuous walkway along the Chicago River remains far from over.

Terminology:

2008-12-01T17:46:00.000-08:00

# Truss bridge: Bridge with triangular supports ..
A bridge whose supporting structure consists of a network of beams in a series of triangular sections ....

In architecture and structural engineering, a truss is a structure comprising one or more triangular units constructed with straight slender members whose ends are connected at joints referred to as nodes. External forces and reactions to those forces are considered to act only at the nodes and result in forces in the members which are either tensile or compressive forces.

# Bascule bridge: Movable bridge ...
A bascule bridge is a moveable bridge with a counterweight that continuously balances the span, or "leaf," throughout the entire upward swing in providing clearance for boat traffic. Bascule is a French term for seesaw and balance, and bascule bridges operate along the same principle. They are the most common type of movable bridge in existence because they open quickly and require relatively little energy to operate.

Bascule bridges may be single or double leaf ..

Counterweights may be located above the bridge or below the deck of the bridge. There are two common designs of bascule bridge.
~ One is the fixed-trunnion bascule design, which is where the bridge rotates around a large axle called a trunnion to raise. This bridge type is sometimes called the 'Chicago bascule' as this type was developed and perfected there and is used for many of that city's river crossings. Joseph Strauss was a key person who worked on improving the trunnion bascule bridge.
~ Another form of bascule bridge is the Scherzer rolling lift, also known as a Rolling Bascule Bridge. The city of Joliet, Illinois has a number of this structure type. The Scherzer rolling lift bridge essentially rolls or rocks like a simple rocking chair on a track to raise ...

Chicago River: Boats and Bicycle Tours

2008-01-01T21:43:00.000-08:00

Chicago River: Boats and Bicycle Tours:
# Boats and Bicycle Tours..
# Chicago's First Lady Tours..
# Chicago History Museum Cruises..
# ...
# ...
# ..

Random Images:
# US Coast Guard boat..
# Chicago Police boat..
# Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago boat.

Chicago Riverwalk: Public Art & Memorials

2008-01-01T17:40:00.000-08:00

Since I have written in details, on Public Art and Memorials along the Chicago Riverwalk, I will link all places of interest to my blog on Public Art..

SOUTH BANK..
# Civil Engineering Monument of the Millennium...
# Riverwalk Gateway - by Ellen Lanyon..
# Ruins - III, by Nita Sunderland..
# Defense & Regeneration - by Henry Hering..
# Irv Kupcinet Memorial - by Preston Jackson..
# Heald Square Monument - by Lorado Taft & Leonardo Crunelle..
# Vietnam Veterans Memorial..

NORTH BANK..
# Nicholas J Melas Centennial Plaza and Fountain..
# Chicago Rising from the Lake - by Milton Horn.
# Pioneers & Discoverers - by James Earle Fraser..
# Bust of Dusable - by Erik Blome..
# Merchandise Mart Hall of Fame - by Various Artists..
# Rora - by Ginny Sykes...

Chicago Landmarks along the Chicago Riverwalk:
# Michigan Avenue Bridge and Wacker Drive Esplanade
# Site of Fort Dearborn..
# Heald Square Monument.
# Site of the Sauganash Hotel/Wigwam..

McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum

2008-01-01T07:34:00.000-08:00

McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum..

# Early Settlements ...
# Reversal of Chicago River..
# Moving Wastewater..
# River Wildlife..
# Random Images from the museum..

Chicago Riverwalk: Trivia

2008-01-01T05:48:00.000-08:00

# Chicago Harbor Lock.
# Chicago Marine Safety Station.
# Wolf Point...
# Y-Symbol on Chicago Riverwalk..
# Site of Fort Dearborn..
# Ira J. Bach Walkway..
# DuSable Founders Way..
# Fish Hotel..
# Wave Motif..
# Construction of Underbridges..
# St. Patrick's Day: Dyeing the Chicago River Emerald Green..
# Michigan Avenue bridge turns 90! [May 14, 2010]..

Chicago Landmarks along the Chicago Riverwalk:
# Michigan Avenue Bridge and Wacker Drive Esplanade
# Site of Fort Dearborn..
# Heald Square Monument.
# Site of the Sauganash Hotel/Wigwam..

Did You Know..
All along the Riverwalk there are markers, with trivia related to Chicago River, with caption: Did You know?
# The Michigan Avenue bridge..
# The nation's busiest port..
# Chicago's movable bridges..
# Chicago River Wildlife..
# The Eastland Disaster..
# Reversal of Chicago River..
# Deep Tunnel and Green Stormwater Management..

Signage..
# The Eastland Disaster..
# Hubbard's Folly..
# ...

Random Images:
# US Coast Guard boat..
# Chicago Police boat..
# Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago boat.
# Bridge-scape [from Vityscape Bar, Holiday Inn ...

Chicago Riverwalk buildings..

2008-01-01T05:45:00.000-08:00

Buildings along the Chicago Riverwalk.. And then some..

# Chicago Riverwalk Bldgs. - Main Branch-I [North Bank]
# Chicago Riverwalk Bldgs. - Main Branch-II [South Bank] ...

# Chicago Marine Safety Station.
# River Cottages - [Architect: Harry Weese]..
# 333 Wacker Drive [Architects: Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates..
# Marina City [Architect: Bertrand GoldBerg]...

Chicago River: Bridges..

2008-01-01T05:35:00.000-08:00

BRIDGES..

# Chicago River: Bridge Lifts..
# Michigan Avenue bridge turns 90! [May 14, 2010]..

MAIN BRANCH..
# Lakeshore Drive bridge..
# Columbus Avenue bridge..
# Michigan Avenue bridge..
# Wabash Avenue bridge..
# State Street bridge..
# Dearborn Street bridge..
# Clark Street bridge..
# LaSalle Street bridge..
# Wells Street bridge..
# Franklin Street bridge...

SOUTH BRANCH..
# Lake Street bridge...
# 18th Street Railroad bridge..
# South Canal Street Railroad bridge..
# ..

NORTH BRANCH..
# Kinzie Street Railraod bridge [abandoned] ..

RANDOM IMAGES..
# Chicago River bridges - from Cityscape Bar, Holiday Inn..
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