Incorporated as a city in 1837, chicago was ideally situated to take advantage of the trading possibilities created by the nations westward expansion. Chicago s raw sewage in the river is normally carried upstream toward the mississippi river which flows south towards the gulf of mexico. The river has seen it all, done it all, carried it all, writes david solzman. The river used to flow into lake michigan, but the canal drew water away from the lake, causing the river to flow towards the mississippi river. The plan of chicago of 1909, more familiarly known as the burnham planafter its principal author, architect and city planner daniel h. Its current whispers of the past even as it rushes into the future. The fountain, which is officially known as the nicholas j.
An epidemic of water born diseases in chicago was rampant in the early 1880s. The history of the chicago river the chicago river tour. A few days later, according to the chicago record, water that was actually blue in color and had blocks of ice of a transparent green hue floating in itcaused people who crossed bridges over the chicago riverto stop and stare in amazement. The story behind the chicago river reversal chicago. Originally, the 150milelong waterway was used to fuel booming industry in the midwest city. Wealthy residents preferred the lakefront, and since the riverfront areas had more exposure to industrial pollution, they were left to the poor. Although the story is widely reported, these deaths did not occur. Those who know the river and its connected streams know chicago in an elemental way. Orbert davis epic the chicago river returns on dvd and. Lanyon details the history of the reversal of the chicago river in 1900 and the. Winner of the 20 abel wolman award for best new book in public works history.
Chicago, before the reversal of the chicago river, was plagued by outbreaks of typhoid and cholera that would kill around 5 percent of the population every year. Louis filed an injunction against the reversal on january 17. Yet as much as the river has been chicago s raison detre, it has also been our most precarious problem to solve. As libby hill wrote in her book, the chicago river. How the chicago river was reversed 115 years ago the year 2015 marks the 115th anniversary of the chicago rivers reversal, an incredible engineering feat that turned the eastern half of the united states into an island. Reversing the flow of the chicago river this boat tour cruises towards the mouth of the river is actually churning upstream due to how chicago responded to epidemics throughout its history. Engineering feat and political swamp, reversing the river cleaned up chicago s water and improved transportation, but impacted the great lakes ecosystem and angered cities south of chicago. The chicago rivers flow is reversed to protect drinking water. Although the effects were only temporary, it planted the seed of a solution. Though not especially long, the river is notable because it is one of the reasons for chicago s geographic importance. Completed in 1900, the reversal of the chicago river, a major civil engineering innovation, required imaginative planning and ingenious construction.
Revising the history of chicago in a sweeping debut novel. Aug 03, 2016 the book does many things for chicago s history. Chicago sightseeing tour on the river chicago river walking tour. During a tremendous storm in 1885, the rainfall washed refuse from the chicago river far out into the. Its fascination arises from the imaginative and visual appeal of its stirring prose and stunning illustrations, which combine to persuade the. May 27, 2015 heres a look back at the history behind the reversal of the chicago river and the legacy its left since. The river is not long, but it is known for being the reason why chicago became an important place, as the connection between the great lakes and the mississippi valley waterways. May 24, 20 the chicago river, a new jazz symphony by orbert davis, was inspired by the lost panoramas, a book that documents the reversal of the chicago river.
Beginning in the 1840s and 1850s, chicagos poorest residents lived along the river. Significant new excavation technology and techniques developed and perfected on the project contributed to the construction of the panama canal. The chicago river has a notoriously wastefilled past. The chicago river also affected many riverside residents. Lake michigan was the source of chicagos drinking water. The river is the only river in the world to be reversed. The reversal of the chicago river was the largest municipal earthmoving project ever completed, and was hailed as a monumental engineering achievement. Chicago harbor lock, chicago river to lake michigan, chicago boat tour part 2 duration. The idea to reverse the flow of the river away from the lake had already been unintentionally attempted in 1871 when the existing illinois and michigan canal was deepened, unexpectedly pulling in water from the chicago river. Patricks day, or a river that flows backwards from its original mouth at lake michigan, or the cause of a 1992 flood in the loop. Chicago river, the symphony, and the book that inspired it. This book is good if you are interested in the history, geography, architecture and any other things about the chicago river. A few days later, according to the chicago record, water that was actually blue in color and had blocks of ice of a transparent green hue floating in itcaused people who crossed bridges over the chicago river to stop and stare in amazement.
Pseudohistory can, when done well, reenchant material made dull by. Jan 06, 2012 new book on the chicago rivers reversal posted on january 6, 2012 by michael bryson the reversal of the chicago river one of the great engineering projects of the late 19th century impacted both the watersheds of the chicago region as well as the economy of the city and its suburbs. Burnhamis one of the most fascinating and significant documents in the history of urban planning. A natural and unnatural history, biologists from the illinois natural history survey documented conditions a. The river area is a great place to walk, snack, drink or take a very informative and fun boat tour with the architectural society. A century later, the expensive lesson of reversing the. A short history of the chicago diversion at public meetings held by the international upper great lakes study over the last two years, many questions were raised regarding the chicago diversion and its impacts on lake michigan. With the reversal of the river, the water supply greatly improved, along with chicagoans health. How the chicago river was reversed 115 years ago the year 2015 marks the 115th anniversary of the chicago river s reversal, an incredible engineering feat that turned the eastern half of the united states into an island. Reversal of the chicago river, chicago il 1900 as chicago grew into a major metropolis, its river became an open sewer that fed directly into the citys water supply. The reversal of flow between basins and the diversion of lake michigan water has long been a source of contention among competing interests. When chicago changed its river and the land beyond.
Westcliffe publishers is proud to announce the release of the chicago river. Until 1900, the chicago river drained into lake michigan, along with all the sewage from the city. Its fascination arises from the imaginative and visual appeal of its stirring prose and stunning. Before the reversal of the river, rainfall to the west of the divide would flow into the des plaines river and out to the mississippi, and rainfall to the east would flow into the chicago river and replenish lake michigan. Between 1894 and 1928, 21,834 meticulously composed and extraordinarily detailed photographs shot with largeformat view cameras using glass negatives, were taken for the sanitary district of chicago to document one of the worlds most famous engineering feats. The result was a multipurpose project that significantly benefited the development of americas heartland. To many chicago residents, the chicago river is a body of water dyed green on st. Jul 15, 2006 this book is good if you are interested in the history, geography, architecture and any other things about the chicago river. To the east, the waters of the great lakes flowed out the st.
When chicago changed its river and the land beyond forgotten glass negatives that connect us to a world gone by in 1894, photographers set out to document the reversal of the chicago river, an engineering feat known at the time as the eighth wonder of the world. Chicago river simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The chicago river is 156 miles long 251 km and goes through the city of chicago, illinois, including the center of the city the chicago loop. Jan 14, 2014 a century later, the expensive lesson of reversing the chicago river. To reverse the flow of a river wouldnt be possible today, but to chicago near. In 1894, photographers set out to document the reversal of the chicago river. Chicago river, the symphony, and the book that inspired it bleader. This made downtown chicago a very unpleasant place to be. It took a crafty engineer named ellis chesbrough to come up with a startling plan. Back in the 1890s, chicago decided to reverse the course of the river that flowed through the city. Follow the river and travel into the soul of the city. Their case eventually went to the supreme court, which decided in chicago s.
In order to stop the spread the diseases, chicago exercised their right to reverse the flow of the once stagnant river, thus saving the lives of chicago residents. For centuries, the chicago river has drawn intrepid explorers, immigrant laborers, and industrial giants to its shores, lured by the promise of its opportunities. Our private walking tour is the perfect way to learn all about the history and breathtaking infrastructure of the chicago river. The photos were a visual accompaniment to the live premiere and soon cjp fans will be able to enjoy the. The chicago river s flow is reversed to protect drinking water. Little attention was paid to its environmental and civic value. A reversal flow of the chicago river into lake michigan would have a negative impact on navigation and on the quality of lake michigan water, which is the source of drinking water. The polluted chicago river contaminates lake michigan, chicagos drinking water source. The early city and the north area by richard lanyon was published by lake claremont last month. Chicago river, navigable stream that originally flowed into lake michigan after being formed by the north and south branches about 1 mile 1. The chicago river is covered by some of the most gorgeous bridges in the world, famous for their movable lift technology. The chicago river, a new jazz symphony by orbert davis, was inspired by the. The chicago 1885 cholera epidemic myth is a persistent urban legend, stating that 90,000 people in chicago died of typhoid fever and cholera in 1885.
Richard lanyon, the former executive director of the metropolitan water reclamation district of greater chicago, will take us through the history of the reversal of the. Dec 14, 2011 civil engineers generally rank the reversal of the chicago river, completed in 1900, among the worlds great feats of engineering the digging of a 28mile canal between the chicago and des. The citys sewers discharged human and industrial wastes directly to its rivers, which in turn flowed into the lake. On this chicago tour, we will explore the rolling promenades, historic landmarks, and relaxing miniparks that frame the legendary waterway. Jul 08, 2019 the piece examines the chicago river and its reversal as distilled through the beautiful historic photographs featured in richard cahan and michael williamss book the lost panoramas.
Heres a look back at the history behind the reversal of the chicago river and the legacy its left since. This piece of chicagos history was a groundbreaking achievement in more ways than one. The northern river reversal or siberian river reversal was an ambitious project to divert the flow of the northern rivers in the soviet union, which uselessly drain into the arctic ocean, southwards towards the populated agricultural areas of central asia, which lack water. The chicago river, a new jazz symphony by orbert davis, was inspired by the lost panoramas, a book that documents the reversal of the chicago river. Instead of emptying into lake michigan, the wastewater was sent the other way, down the mississippi, and eventually all the way to the gulf of mexico. Orbert davis epic the chicago river returns on dvd and cd. Chicago river museum exhibits online for our health. Research and planning work on the project started in the 1930s and. The polluted chicago river contaminates lake michigan, chicago s drinking water source. The chicago portage linking two great navigable water systems that reached deep into the center of north america, chicago was well positioned to become a crossroad of the continent. Their case eventually went to the supreme court, which decided in.
Jun 03, 2015 via chicago line cruises, this infographic tells the tale of one of the greatest engineering projects ever completed. The northern river reversal or siberian river reversal was an ambitious project to divert the flow of the northern rivers in the soviet union, which uselessly drain into the arctic ocean, southwards towards the populated agricultural areas of central asia, which lack water research and planning work on the project started in the 1930s and was carried out on a large scale in the. The story behind the chicago river reversal chicago line. Lanyon details the history of the reversal of the chicago river in 1900 and the construction of the north shore channel as an outlet for sewage. Chicago is located right on the continental divide that separates the great lakes and mississippi watersheds. Selected resources found at chicago public library.
The most popular way to explore the chicago river is on a cruise, in particular a chicago architecture river cruise, which offers an overview of the citys history and building architecture. This trend continued throughout the great depression. Plan an architectural tour that will share the history of the city as you go through, admiring the rich architectural genius, the citys expansion post chicago fire, and plans for its future. New book on the chicago rivers reversal posted on january 6, 2012 by michael bryson the reversal of the chicago river one of the great engineering projects of the late 19th century impacted both the watersheds of the chicago region as well as the economy of the city and its suburbs. The chicago fire of 1871, the haymarket affair, the columbian exposition and the reversal of the chicago river are all depicted. New book on the chicago rivers reversal michael bryson. Feb 25, 20 chicago harbor lock, chicago river to lake michigan, chicago boat tour part 2 duration. You can combine your cruise with a chicago city tour, food tour, south side tour, speedboat ride along lake michigan, or vip access to the willis tower. The reversal of the chicago river was a pioneering, massive public works effort that saved the chicago region from waterborne diseases caused by sewage contamination of its drinking water supply lake michigan. Soon well be able to swim in the chicago river the dirt. Many boat tour guides may say that chicagos most dramatic effort to fight disease was the reversal of the chicago river. To prevent pollution and sewage from backing up into the citys water supply, a canal was built in the early 1900s to reverse the flow of the river. The people and businesses of chicago would dump all of their waste into the river making it extremely dirty.
The negatives were lost until two years ago when they were discovered in a. Apr 19, 2019 the chicago fire of 1871, the haymarket affair, the columbian exposition and the reversal of the chicago river are all depicted. A natural and unnatural history, two biologists from the illinois natural history survey documented conditions. Construction continued uninterrupted, and the canal was extended several times, including the building of other canals to support and perfect the system. The centennial fountain, located at a plaza on the river esplanade, was built in 1989 to celebrate the reversal of the flow of the chicago river. On the other hand, if you want to be a lazy traveler who only wanna enjoy the sights and the atmosphere on the river, just throw this book away and open your eyes to see the beautiful things around. The history of the waterway connecting the great lakes to the mississippi river by. Its river and the land beyond, the big, historical photo book by richard cahan. Chicago history museumgetty images one hundred years after a boat capsized in the chicago river, killing 844 people, archival footage of the disaster was accidentally discovered recently. The river is also a part of a system that includes the north branch, south branch, and main stem of the chicago river, as well as 52 miles of constructed waterways.
Via chicago line cruises, this infographic tells the tale of one of the greatest engineering projects ever completed. The chicago river system flows 156 miles 251 km from park city north to lockport south. Engineering feat and political swamp, reversing the river cleaned up chicagos water and improved transportation, but impacted the great lakes ecosystem and angered cities south of chicago. The negatives were lost until two years ago when they were discovered in. The chicago river is the last of the albums from this campaign to be released.
From 1894 to 1928 photographers recorded the reversal of the chicago river and how it changed the history of illinois. The reversal of the chicago river was as much of an engineering marvel as it was an early victory for environmentalists and public health advocates in the late 19 th century. The chicago river is a system of rivers and canals with a combined length of 156 miles 251 km that runs through the city of chicago, including its center the chicago loop. Melas centennial fountain, consists of a waterfall and a semicircular cascade. Feb 04, 2015 reversal of the chicago river grant labedz. Civil engineers generally rank the reversal of the chicago river, completed in 1900, among the worlds great feats of engineering the digging of a 28mile canal between the chicago and des. A century later, the expensive lesson of reversing the chicago river. The chicago river was reversed 115 years agothis infographic.
311 572 723 1052 1562 290 626 1464 134 396 387 1444 279 299 991 1003 1342 187 1473 337 712 515 1414 90 1300 619 867 1134 678 1365 801 1431 831 1445 953 517 1176