Once rare wonders of the world targeted by giant apes, skyscrapers have become an indelible aspect of the urban experience. Their majesty inspires local pride, their beauty elicits amazement, and […]
Tag: Chicago
Birthday wishes to James T. Farrell
James T. Farrell’s childhood coincided with a period in history when “real” Americans considered the Irish colorful—and usually undesirable—exotics. His omnibus novel Studs Lonigan and collection Chicago Stories reflected the Irish-American experience of a generation […]
Diamonds are a reader’s best friend
We have entered that mid-February time when catchers and pitchers report to spring training to prepare for the baseball season. To don the tools of ignorance. To pretend to run […]
Best of Illinois: Look!
The Best of Illinois: Vol. 1, catalog offers cutting-edge graphic design, striking photography, a shelf of essential books, and a closeup of a bullfrog. Oh, you’ve heard these superlatives? Here’s the […]
Michigan Avenue bridge turns 94
Chicago’s double-deck Michigan Avenue bridge turned 94 years old this week. The bridge is one of the most revered and celebrated landmarks in the Second City. When the movable bridge […]
Q&A with Chicago River Bridges author Patrick McBriarty
Patrick T. McBriarty is a writer and creative producer based in Chicago and the co-producer, with Stephen Hatch, of the documentary film Chicago Drawbridges. He recently answered some questions about […]
Skyscraper of the Day, Part 20
Field Building, 135 S. La Salle Street. Graham, Anderson, Probst, and White, 1934. View from southeast. (Contemporary post card, collection of the author) Announced on September 29, 1929 just days […]
Woodson Library event for The Negro in Illinois taped for BookTV
On Saturday, September 28, the Carter G. Woodson Regional branch of The Chicago Public Library was the site of a celebration of the publication of The Negro in Illinois. The event included a […]
Skyscraper of the Day, Part 19
Conway Building, corner of Clark and Washington Streets. D. H. Burnham & Co., 1913. View from northeast. (Contemporary post card, collection of the author) Four large neoclassical office blocks designed […]
Skyscraper of the Day, Part 18
Chicago Stock Exchange, view from northeast. (Contemporary post card, collection of the author) The Stock Exchange, a project to fund a new trading room through the provision of office […]
Skyscraper of the Day, Part 17
Rookery Building. View from northwest (contemporary post card, collection of the author). The Rookery became Chicago’s center of architectural, contracting, engineering, and subcontracting expertise. It was intended to be the […]
Skyscraper of the Day, Part 16
Masonic Temple, corner of Randolph and State Streets. Burnham and Root, 1892 (demolished, 1939). (120 Photographic View of Chicago, Rand McNally, 1912) Buildings braced by sway-rods typically had two or […]