Lake Street Swing Bridge

(This swing bridge was replaced by the 1916 trunnion bridge so no satellite image exists.)

Jeff Nichols -> Forgotten Chicago
Lake Street bridge, 1909. Chicago History Museum, DN-0007256
Chicago History Museum via DNAinfo, 1909
Raymond Kunst posted

Lake Street swing bridge over the Chicago River, 1909.

[Chicago History Museum]

Paul Webb shared

Raymond Kunst posted

Lake Street swing bridge over the Chicago River, 1909.

[Chicago History Museum]

Raymond Kunst shared

Raymond Kunst posted again with the same comment

Raymond Kunsh shared

Rikki Raflo: What train was that.

Tom Connon: Rikki Raflo The first elevated train line went to Oak Park down Lake Street. Today that's the Green Line.

 

Terry Gregory commented on Rikki's comment
That would be be the Chicago & Oak Park Elevated RR. Map is from 1906 Sanborn.

Terry Gregory commented on Rikki's comment

It was formed in 1904 but in 1924 part of the merger that formed the Chicago Rapid Transit Company. Map is from 1912. Here is a description of the route:

Leave Union Loop.

Route—From Fifth avenue (Wells street) and Randolph street to Lake street, thence west on Lake street and South boulevard to Wisconsin avenue. Stations at Clinton street, Halsted street, Morgan street, Ann street, Sheldon street, Ashland avenue, Wood street, Robey street, Oakley avenue, Campbell avenue. California avenue, Saeramento avenue, Kedzle avenue, Garfleld Park (Homan ave), Hamlin avenue. Fortieth avenue, Forty-fourth avenue, Forty-eighth avenue, Fifty-second avenue, Central avenue. Prairle avenue, Austin avenue, Lombard avenue, Sixty-fourth avenue, Oak Park avenue, and Wisconsin avenue. Branch Line on Market street to Randolph and Madison street stations.

This 1870 photo of Wolf Point captures an older version of this bridge in the foreground. And some of the boat traffic that used to be on the Chicago River.

William Russ posted

William Shapotkin posted
How many of you were aware that initial operation of trains over the LAKE ST 'L' (Ok, some of you may know it as "The Green Line") were behind steam? Here is a postcard view of a LAKE ST train x/o over the South Branch of the Chicago River. Photo probably taken shortly after regularly-scheduled operations began November 6, 1893. Wm Shapotkin Collection.

The above photo confirms that I do see a steam locomotive in this image.

Chicago's Gilded Age posted
Transport yourself back to 1895 Chicago! 🌆🚢 Take a glimpse at this stunning rendering of the Chicago River, looking North from Randolph Street, as featured in Scribner’s Magazine (June 1895). Imagine standing amidst the hustle and bustle of boats passing under arched bridges, surrounded by majestic five-story brick buildings that line the River's edge. In the distance, the air is filled with the rhythmic sounds of steam whistles and the clinking of machinery, while the aroma of industry mingles with the breeze.
Lloyd Scott Hardin shared

Dennis DeBruler: That was back when the Lake Street (Green Line) "L" still used steam locomotives.

David Daruszka updated
The Lake Street Elevated swing bridge. It was replaced by the present day trunnion bascule bridge.