That Toddlin' Town
(Snapping fingers rhythmically) "Chicago, Chicago, that toddlin' town..." uh, what? I never knew what that meant, but it turns out that there was a dance craze called "The Toddle". It's like the "Batusi" only with less coolness. Anyway, today we're looking at some vintage images of Chi-town. A certain blogger is a Chicago native, but I'll never say which one.
I love this first wonderful photo from the 1950s looking up South Michigan Avenue. A friendly cop makes sure that we aren't up to any funny business (try to look innocent). The dark skyscraper in the distance is the famous Carbide (as in "Union Carbide") and Carbon building, built in 1929. The white structure to the right of it is the Wrigley Building, made entirely of gum. I think (but am not sure) that the tall dark building in the far distance might be 333 North Michigan Ave. And to the left of the Prudential tower you can see the top of the Chicago Tribune building. Just visible through the leafless trees to our right is the Art Institute of Chicago (with the arches).
Here's a contemporary view grabbed from Google Maps street view.
Next is this July 1959 shot taken on the Bascule Bridge (a Bascule bridge is a moveable bridge - also known as a "drawbridge" with a counterweight that continuously balances a span, or leaf, throughout its upward swing to provide clearance for boat traffic. It may be single- or double-leafed) on Dearborn Street, looking southeast-ish. I was going to do another Google street-view screen grab, but the area is so hugely changed that it seemed pointless. Notice the building to the extreme right, tall, gray, with a dome on top.
As you can see in this vintage postcard, it is the Medinah Athletic Club building (now the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile building), completed in 1929.
I hope you have enjoyed your visit to Chicago!
18 comments:
Major-
All four of our 'draw bridges' in Seattle are double-leaf bascule bridges - and we love them, dearly. I'd ID some vintage autos for you, but the enlargement for image one is actually for image two. Oh those gremlins-!
Thanks, Major.
In the second image : dead center is Dr. Robert Hartley’s office inside the Professional Medical Arts Building .
Specifically The Rimpau Medical Arts Center , 7th Floor #715 . 430 N. Michigan Ave in Chicago.
Mike, my orthodontist is also on the 7th floor of that building. And I absolutely LOVE his receptionist!
Now I'm gonna immediately sign up to learn The Toddle! (I wonder if they also teach The Dent?..... and The Stain?)
I hope the Wrigley Building wasn't made of "ABC" gum (Already Been Chewed), that would be quite a sticky situation...
I like the Bascule Bridge photo; crisp, excellent lighting, excellent sky. Hey! You can rent your car from Hertz, and then park it "All Day" at that parking garage. How convenient! Anyone know what those white specks are on the pavement?
I heard that Dr. Hartley retired from his practice, moved to Vermont, and opened an inn.
I always enjoy these travelogues, Major. Thanks.
Ok....now this is really freaky. Mike and I were just (within the last 48 hours) discussing Robert Hartley's office building, and now you post it. Major, you DO know everything. BTW, I told Mike that the building wasn't part of my old stomping grounds...but that Dearborn bridge was.
In the warm weather, when the sail boats would line up--waiting for the bridges to go up so they could pass through, you learned to time your work lunch hours accordingly.....or you'd be stuck on the wrong side of the river for quite a while. It was fascinating to watch (and sort of creepy to see a huge bridge lift up like that)....and the boats were always nice to watch, sailing by, too.
JB, just a warning. Major knew you, in advance, were going to discuss The Dent. See this Monday's post -- which he did a couple weeks back. It will "teach" you about The Dent, I think.
Thanks, Major.
^ See this coming Monday's post.
I'm adding a link to the Dearborn Bridge, even though, as Major mentioned, so much has changed. It's a 360 degree view from a boat - SEE HERE. You'll recognize some of the current buildings, I'm sure.
^ After I added that link and clicked on it to double check that I did it right, I see that there are a number of different 360 degree views [of that area] you can click on. Enjoy!
One visit to Chicago, in the car with co-workers, I let out a "gasp" when I realized that I saw the Robert Hartley Bldg. They all thought I did something with the car, so they were gasping too. We all had a giggle when I said "no! That's the Bob Newhart Building!" and they said "huh?". In any case, I do enjoy Chicago a lot...perhaps not so much during a hard winter, but I've enjoyed it all all seasons regardless. Great food and vibe and nice people. If you ever take the drive from Chicago to Milwaukee you can also enjoy the stops: Cheese...gas stations....and various other "businesses" for I suppose...well...let's move on.... Chicago is also home to a lot of great suburbs, and besides the gum, it's home to the most famous fast food chain in the world. The last time I was in Oakbrook: I went to the corporate "store" which was quite glamorous, with flowers on the table, a separate cafe, a fireplace, giant TV screens with sports....and lots of guys in ties....and possibly the most scrubbed NASA type employees with big helpful smiles. At the time I didn't know HQ was across the street...back to Downtown: an easy place to navigate, great architecture, and a beautiful lake. I don't compare it to other major cities as it is quite unique in it's own right: and if you haven't been: just take "the other JG's" good advice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nvW7Tprm6s
My home town always looks pretty. I'm biased, but of all the cities I've been to, Chicago remains the best, with it's grand architecture, it's (sometimes) dark history, and it's ability to be something for everyone. LA, where I currently live, destroys and rebuilds, and then destroy again it's history, But Chicago remains the best of the Great Lake cities and I miss it a lot (though not the brutal winters).
“Hi Bob!”
Building with gum is a well-established technology now.
Photo 1 not only has all the things noted, but Route 66, “The Main Street of America” begins right in front of the Art Institute, heading west out of frame to the left. So, there’s that.
I’ve been to Chicago several times and have always been impressed. Few other cities can equal, and none surpass the architectural heritage here. It’s just a beautiful spot, and, as noted, blessed with some beautiful suburbs.
We took an AIA architectural river tour on a freezing spring day, highly recommended. While I had forgotten the Bob Newhart building, I saw many others of note. There’s a spot on one of the bridges out toward the lake where you can look back up the river and the city looks like a Hugh Ferris rendering, with towers reaching to the sky and layer after layer of traffic on bridges and tunnels below. Just amazing. Great food and beer too, but you can keep the pizza.
Thanks for the Chicago pics Major, and Junior Gorillas for the info.
JG
Nanook, every city should have at least four bascule bridges. Even Phoenix. I fixed the image-link problem very early this morning, thanks for letting me know!
Mike Cozart, my gosh, I haven’t seen that show in what, 30 years? I used to love it, but much of it is forgotten.
JG, he is in heaven and says “hello” back!
Mike Cozart, argh, now I see that the link on that thumbnail is also broken. Time to fix it. What the heck, Blogger?
TokyoMagic!, it’s been too long, I don’t get any “Bob Newhart Show” references.
JB, if The Toddle hadn’t been mentioned in that famous song, it would probably be completely forgotten! Of COURSE the building was made of ABC gum, how else would it be made? The white specks are confetti, comedian Rip Taylor just passed by.
Lou and Sue, I deny all knowledge of everything. It sounds like your commute could suddenly be increased by 15 minutes if you happened to be stuck when the bridges go up. Do they do it at regular times? It sounds like you are able to plan for it. I get that boats want to get from (or to) Lake Michigan, but where do they go when they head upriver? How do you know I’m going to discuss The Dent? Do you have ESP???
Lou and Sue, I’m all freaked out!
Lou and Sue, yeah, the “today” views are so drastically different, I like it when you can still pick out some of the “before” stuff, but it looks like it’s mostly gone, or at least hidden by larger buildings. Thanks for the link!
Lou and Sue (going for a record?), ha, I saw many of those when looking for image links for today’s post!
Bu, I may or may not be going to Chicago later this year (it depends on another person’s schedule), but I look forward to going, it’s been a long time. My aunt and uncle used to live there, and we’d visit every year. Being a nerd, I’m all about the wonderful museums that Chicago has to offer, I’d happily do those every day. I feel like folks have to be of a certain age to remember The Bob Newhart Show, which was one of our “appointment TV” shows, along with Mary Tyler Moore. “Rhoda” not so much, and don’t even mention “Phyllis”. I have relatives, not in Chicago, but in Wisconsin, they always bring us a ton of cheese when they visit. And not normal cheese, but smoked cheddar, which I don’t care for, and odd herb/cheese mixes, or cheese with nuts mixed in, which I REALLY don’t care for. I do like cheese curds though. My uncle worked for the University of Chicago, and had an incredible office overlooking the Chicago River, and he and my aunt also had an amazing condo in Hyde Park with a great view of the lake, within walking distance of the Museum of Science and Industry. I miss those visits!
David, I am technically a Chicagoan myself! I hate the way L.A. cares so little for older buildings and neighborhoods. I haven’t been to Chicago in the winter since I was a kid, so my memories are of heat and extreme humidity!
JG, if you chew gum while eating potato chips, it forms a substance stronger than titanium. I had no idea that Route 66 started in front of the Art Institute! My mom and sister went to a relative’s wedding in Chicago about two years ago, I couldn’t go, but my main regret was not seeing the Art Institute. I could pass on the wedding, ha ha. I’ve done a river tour, they can’t help but point out the architecture, at the time we laughed because every building was some sort of “est”. Biggest, tallest, etc. Pizza? In Chicago? Now I’ve heard everything. My brother still goes on and on about a deep-dish pizza we got there, the place we went is famous. I think I’m more of a thin-crust guy, but don’t cut the pizza into squares, it’s just wrong.
Well Major when I say I really love the 1960’s and 1970’s … I’m not just talking Disneyland & Walt Disney World … my tv too ; and Bob Newhart and Mary Tyler Moore Show are two of the BIGGIES. This holds true with most of my friends too. I like to keep one foot in the present and a foot in the past. My current boss who I have had as a project direct several times before says he always likes to ask me each day if “I watched anything good on TV last night “ and says it’s like time traveling for him. Lol. He’ll also say , everyone at work commutes to Glendale from somewhere … Orange County , Riverside , Simi Valley …. But Cozart commutes from 50 years ago!!
I’m ok with that - someone has to - I like a place where Disneyland has a parking lot and no DCA , and Walt Disney World will always have a Rivers of America . Now if you’ll excuse me there’s a new episode of Barnaby Jones on ( at least one I’ve never seen before )
Mike Cozart, there’s nothing wrong with watching those classic TV shows. We must embrace the things that make us happy! My brother watches a lot of MeTV in the afternoon, starting with “The Waltons” (which has not aged well), then “Gunsmoke”, then “Bonanza”. I’m clearly into vintage stuff too, I’ve been watching “Alfred Hitchcock Presents” on Amazon Prime, what a great show. I used to listen to a LOT of Old Time Radio, and like old movies. Old stuff rules!
"It sounds like your commute could suddenly be increased by 15 minutes if you happened to be stuck when the bridges go up. Do they do it at regular times? It sounds like you are able to plan for it. I get that boats want to get from (or to) Lake Michigan, but where do they go when they head upriver?"
Major, yes, the bridges only went up a few days and times each year to let the sailboats [and larger boats] move from their river marinas (winter storage sites) out to the lake marinas / harbors - where they 'reside' all summer; and then they go back again in Fall. Because there are hundreds (thousands?) of sailboats/boats that need to be moved out to the lake, it could easily take 15 minutes for the bridge to go up and a long line of boats to go through.
Note: All the boats need to be lifted out of the water and 'stored,', each Fall, before the water freezes; they can't stay on the lake.
David, you mention Chicago is your home town. Cool! I'd love to hear what neighborhood you lived in, and when....just click on my "Lou and Sue" avatar for my email address if you don't want to discuss in the comments here. Over the years, I've met a number of people who grew up in my neighborhood during the years I was there, too.
TokyoMagic!, it’s been too long, I don’t get any “Bob Newhart Show” references.
Major, believe it or not, I've never seen a whole episode of the show. I've only happened upon it from time to time, and then just watched a scene or two. All I know is that he was a psychologist, there was an orthodontist on the same floor, and Marcia Wallace was the receptionist for both of them. I have always been a fan of Marcia Wallace! They should've had the plot of every show revolve around her! Oh, and I know that Major Healey lived next door to Bob Newhart and his wife, who is later killed by birds, when they attack the town. I know even less about Bob Newhart's second series, but I think Mork from Ork's downstairs neighbor, Mr. Bickley, worked for him.
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