Railroad Swing Bridge over Chicago River connecting IC and C&NW

(Satellite, it was about where The Columbus Drive bridge is now)

The bridge existed between at least 1884 and 1904.

In this woodcut, we can see that the swing bridge had tracks.

Dennis DeBruler commented on his share (below)
David Daruszka: Dennis DeBruler Yes, there was a swing bridge that connected the IC with the G&CU (C&NW). I never could determine when it was removed.

Brendon Baillod posted three images with the comment: "This amazing vintage gatefold woodcut engraving arrived this week.  It is an original two page fold-out illustration from Harper's Weekly dated June 1884."

Dennis DeBruler shared with the comment:

Chicago River Mouth in June 1884

When I glanced at this image, I knew it was old because:

• black smoke was still considered a sign of prosperity
• the Illinois Central still had both of its grain elevators
• the Interstate Exposition Building (the one with three domes) is still standing
• some of the ships have sails
• the lumber trade is at the mouth rather than down by Lumber Street on the South Branch
• there is no fill east of the IC trestle along the lakefront
• there is a railroad bridge connecting IC and C&NW's Navy Pier line

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2

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[The top image in these notes is a digital zoom of this image. Note that the bridge was just east of the two Illinois Central grain elevators.]

Jon Roma commented on Dennis' share
I can't claim any expertise on the subject, but I have certainly heard of such a bridge. In fact, it has been stated that milepost zero of the Illinois Central is in the middle of the Chicago River, harking back to that bridge – see attached page from a 1942 IC condensed profile book that tends to suggest that the zero point wasn't coincidental.

Dennis DeBruler commented on his share
This 1890 Rand McNally map shows the bridge. It also accurately depicts Illinois Central's grain elevators "A" (west) and "B" (east and further away from the river).
https://collections.leventhalmap.org/search/commonwealth:4m90f758d
Credit: “Map reproduction courtesy of the Norman B. Leventhal Map & Education Center at the Boston Public Library”

Jon Roma commented on Dennis' share
Here, excerpted from a single-sheet Sanborn map dated 1894, is a depiction of the bridge connecting the C&NW and IC east of Michigan Ave.

 

Dennis DeBruler commented on Jon's 1894 map
And this map documents why they tore down a lot of buildings along the west side of Pine Street to build today's Michigan Avenue north of the river.
Chicago 1915
https://www.facebook.com/BDBRCPC/posts/2572973946359084

 

This more detailed 1898 map erroneously omits the bridge and grain elevator "B."
https://collections.leventhalmap.org/search/commonwealth:3f463620g
Credit: “Map reproduction courtesy of the Norman B. Leventhal Map & Education Center at the Boston Public Library”

This 1901 Sanborn Map also shows a bridge that was just east of IC's two grain Elevators.

Grain Elevators in 1901 via Dennis DeBruler

Dennis DeBruler commented on his share
Dwayne Weber uploaded a 1903 Map. It shows the bridge, but it omits industrial spurs so we don't see the C&NW connection.

Jon Roma commented on Dennis' share
Here is another excerpt from a Sanborn single sheet dated 1904 showing the bridge still in place. I have not yet found a more detailed view.

Jon Roma commented on Dennis' share
[This is the 1906 Sanborn Map, and there is no bridge. It is quite possible that it was removed by 1906 because Federal regulators were serious about removing swing bridges from the Chicago River at the interesting turn of the century.]

Since the bridge exists on a 1901 Sanborn Map, it should exist on this 1889 topo. But it doesn't.

Dennis DeBruler commented on his share
1889 Chicago Quad @ 62,500

Dennis DeBruler commented on his share
This 1897 map was another source of my confusion because it also omits the bridge.
http://www.davidrumsey.com/maps3850.html

But this 1960 Sanborn Map shows the track to the bridge is further west than the 1889 topo map indicates.

Jon Roma commented on Dennis' share
Here's the Sanborn atlas sheet from 1960 for the north bank (G&CU/C&NW side). The curved track headed toward the river's edge may suggest the point at which the crossing stood.

Dennis DeBruler commented on Jon's 1960 comment
According to the 1889 topo, the crossing would have been over by McClurg Court, but this 1938 aerial photo shows the topo map is wrong and the Sanborn Map is correct. Obviously, the eastern elevator has been removed and the slips have been filled in.
https://clearinghouse.isgs.illinois.edu/webdocs/ilhap/county/data/cook/flight10/0bwq08007.jpg
Your 1960 map also clearly documents the original western end of the Ogden Slip.

Andre Kristopans posted
Look carefully about 2 inches on photo east of Michigan. CNW spur turning south and ending at river bank, and IC track aligned with it on the other side of river. Early 1900s maps show a railroad bridge at this spot. Looks like probably correct, removed in 1920s?
William Shapotkin: I was aware of the existence of a bridge across the river betw the C&NW and IC -- however, as I understand it, no actual photo of same has surfaced. (This info from Fred Ash, who has done substantial research on both C&NW and IC in Chicago.)

Bruce B. Reynolds commented on Andre's post
There was a railroad bridge connecting the CNW and IC yards; also involved in the railroad yards at the mouth of river was the Lehigh Valley Railroad, which had its steamer docks there.
Andre Kristopans: Bruce B. Reynolds what was the LV doing in Chicago? A ways from their territory it would seem.
Bruce B. Reynolds: Until the Panama Canal Act of 1912, which disallowed railroad companies from having maritime activities after 1915, the eastern railroads controlled most express and passenger services on the Great Lakes above the Niagara Escarpment. The Lehigh Valley, which terminated in Buffalo, was a strong competitor in this business, and set up an active trade at the mouth of the Chicago River. I am looking for a view similar to that which I posted of the bridge connecting CNW and IC which shows the Lehigh Valley docks at the mouth of the river.

Craig Holmberg commented on Andre's and Bruce's comment
 Building label as Lehigh Valley Transportation Freight House #1. Sanborn Map Company, Vol. 1, 1906 North And West Division

Craig Holmberg commented on Bruce's comment
Sanborn Map Company, Vol. 1, 1906 South Division

Craig Holmberg commented on three comments
Robinson's Map of Chicago (entire), 1886 https://encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/11479.html

Craig Holmberg commented on three comments, cropped
https://dc.library.northwestern.edu/.../bb118ea9-6fbc... [1891-92]

David Daruszka commented on Andre's post
It does appear in this map illustration

Dennis DeBruler commented on Andre's post

The earliest evidence I have seen of the bridge is this 1884 woodcut, https://www.facebook.com/bbaillod/posts/pfbid02CR5K2XZdzQ2ebL8YJCeW7Z5JSEotfkR87MQLB8oKc4Dfd7DaRHRR1MU8P5qozYPql

Jon Roma has provided a 1904 Sanborn that does have it, and a 1906 Sanborn that does not have it in this share, which members of this group should be able to access: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1270038776414622/posts/5746641268754328