Wednesday, January 25, 2023

1934-1992 Ogden Avenue Viaduct over Goose Island

(Satellite)

Since I've researched the Ogden Bridge over the CB&Q tracks in Cicero, it is only fair that I note this viaduct over Goose Island. I've seen several photos of the bridge in Cicero because of railfans. In contrast, this is the first glimpse I have seen of the viaduct over Goose Island.
Jim Shortz posted
This one I can’t place. I don’t know of an Edward Hines Lumberyard in the area.
Bob Lalich: This is Halsted and Division on the near NW Side.

Dennis DeBruler commented on Jim's post
This is the first photo that I remember seeing that gives a glimpse of the Ogden Avenue viaduct. I see Ogden used to go all the way to Lincoln Park.
1953 Chicago Loop Quad @ 24,000

As we see on the above topo map, Ogden also had drawbridges on both sides of the island.
Chicago River Bridges Book by Patrick T. McBriarty via Bridge Hunter, License: Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs (CC BY-ND)

I finally came across a photo of one of those drawbridges.
Jerry Ramirez posted
The old Ogden bridge! It also cross Cabrini Green housing ! You also had a great view of the downtown skyline.

One of a few photos of the viaduct by David Wilson in his Nov 1990 Album
19901117 13 Halsted St. @ Division St.
Juni Salsero Hernandez posted
Ogden Viaduct at Division & Halsted back in 1990. This is true Chicago history of one of the best structures ever built by the city of Chicago back in 1934. Too bad, it wasn't ridden enough to keep!
Lee Kanne: Ogden ran all the way to Armitage and Clark. Through Old Town. You can still see big spaces between buildings in Old Town where Ogden was.

I found several photos taken from the viaduct rather than of the viaduct. See Forgotten Chicago for more information about the extension and removal of Ogden.

One source said you could not access the island from the viaduct. But this photo and the historical aerial photo below show that there was a ramp that went down to Hickory Avenue. I think the gasometer in the photo at the top of these notes is the one that is about a block south of Division Street between Crosby and Kingsbury Streets.
1938 Aerial Photo from ILHAP

It is in the background of this aerial.
David Janin posted
Goose island,  Chicago  another Milwaukee road news bureau pic  60s anyone ?? Think I see a S2 3 alco switcher???
Dennis DeBruler shared
Milwaukee's Chicago & Evanston branch used to have a big presence on Goose Island.
Jeff James: What a great show - did not realize how much of the island was covered in the rail yard and love seeing the old ogden bridge
Dennis DeBruler: Jeff James Thanks for pointing out the Ogden Viaduct. I had missed that.
Andy Hughes: All that and the 600 ft cement boats using the turning basin on the right.


A nice aerial view of the viaduct behind a lot of copyright issues.





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