Vintage Chicago Photo: 1936

The Illinois Department of Transportation has a photo collection online. H/T Eric Zorn

Traffic Intersection at Lake Shore Drive and Oak Street, July 12, 1936

Created by the Chicago Park District Traffic Section .

This stretch of roadway is now referred to as the Inner Drive. On the beach side of the Drive, a six-lane highway, the Outer Drive, was subsequently built on fill that extended the beach into what was once the lake.

Comments

[lancifer666]

What a fantastic picture.

But I can't see shot of Chicago like that, with vintage 1930's cars with running boards, with out hearing Walter Winchell's monotone voice setting the stage for another episode of The Untouchables.

I imagine Frank Nitti in the lead car being pursued by Elliot Ness in one of the cars farther back.

[Dr X]

I really like that photo. It has a kind of 30s-glamor feel about it. I suppose that would include the presence of a mobster or three.

Lance did you know that stretch of roadway sports palm trees during the summer months?

http://drx.typepad.com/psychotherapyblog/2010/05/vintage-photos-1925.html

And check out the density of the 1925 crowd at that link. The days of no A/C.

[lancifer666]

Yeah, I've seen that and wondered where they keep them in the winter.

[Dr X]

I've wondered the same thing myself.