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The Chicago River: Then and Now, in Photos | The Chicago River Tour with Geoffrey Baer

Tribune Tower

The Chicago River: Then and Now, in Photos

See the ghosts of Chicago’s past in this collection of then-and-now images taken from various locations along the Chicago River.

Michigan Avenue Bridge, Wrigley Building, and Tribune Tower, c. 1955c. 1955
Michigan Avenue Bridge, Wrigley Building, and Tribune Tower, 20172017

The Michigan Avenue Bridge, Wrigley Building, and Tribune Tower, circa 1955 and in 2017, just before the opening of the new Apple building. Left: Photo credit: Chicago History Museum. Right: Photo by Kristan Lieb.

1960
2017

The north bank of the Chicago River between State Street and Dearborn Street, where City Winery now sits, as seen in 1960 and 2017. Left: Photo credit: Chicago History Museum. Right: Photo by Jessica Pupovac.

Madison Street Bridge, 19111911
Madison Street Bridge, 20172017

Traffic and pedestrians crossing the Madison Street Bridge in 1911 and 2017. Left: Photo credit: Chicago History Museum. Right: Photo by Jessica Pupovac.

Tribune Tower, 19311931
Tribune Tower, 20172017

The Tribune Tower, located at 435 North Michigan Avenue, seen from across the Chicago River in 1931 and 2017. Left: Photo credit: Chicago History Museum. Right: Photo by Jessica Pupovac.

Franklin and Orleans Street bascule bridge, 19201920
Franklin and Orleans Street bascule bridge, 20172017

The Main Stem of the Chicago River, with the Franklin and Orleans Street bascule bridge in the foreground. The picture on the left was taken in 1920, the year the bridge was completed. The photo on the right was taken 2017, nearly a century later. Left: Photo credit: Chicago History Museum. Right: Photo by Kristan Lieb.

333 North Michigan, 19281928
333 North Michigan, 20172017

The art deco building at 333 North Michigan, as seen from across the river in 1928 while under construction and in 2017. Left: Photo credit: Chicago History Museum. Right: Photo by Jessica Pupovac.

Lake Street Bridge, 19101910
Lake Street Bridge, 20172017

View from Randolph Street of the “L” train passing over the Lake Street Bridge, as seen in 1910 and 2017. Left: Photo credit: Chicago History Museum. Right: Photo by Jessica Pupovac.

Michigan Avenue Bridge, 19291929
Michigan Avenue Bridge, 20172017

Cars drive over the Michigan Avenue Bridge in 1929 and in 2017. LondonHouse Chicago can be seen in the background. Left: Photo credit: Chicago History Museum. Right: Photo by Jessica Pupovac.

1922
2017

The Chicago River and the Wrigley Building from across the river near State Street, as seen in 1922 and in 2017. Left: Photo credit: Chicago History Museum. Right: Photo by Jessica Pupovac.

Jackson Street Bridge, 19161916
Jackson Street Bridge, 20172017

The Jackson Street Bridge from the south bank of the South Branch in 1916 and 2017. Left: Photo credit: Chicago History Museum, Right: Photo by Jessica Pupovac.

Wells Street Bridge, 19051905
Wells Street Bridge, 20172017

An “L” train crossing the Wells Street Bridge in 1905 and 2017. Left: Photo credit: Chicago History Museum, Right: Photo by Jessica Pupovac.