Movable (draw) bridges were once a critical aspect of the Chicago River’s utility, allowing safe passage for boats, trains, automobiles, and pedestrians. Bridge tenders were like lighthouse keepers, continuously monitoring the riverways as ships required passage at any time. Since the 1850s, bridge operators, otherwise known as “tenders,” were responsible for lifting the 70 bridges, spanning 13 miles of the Chicago River. Due to the significant decline in commercial boat traffic, the need for many of the movable bridges to operate reduced substantially which has led to bridge houses slowly deteriorating, and some have been demolished.

Tags:   CHICAGO ILLINOIS WINDY CITY DRAW BRIDGE ARCHITECTURE ABANDONED BUILDINGS ABANDONED

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Movable (draw) bridges were once a critical aspect of the Chicago River’s utility, allowing safe passage for boats, trains, automobiles, and pedestrians. Bridge tenders were like lighthouse keepers, continuously monitoring the riverways as ships required passage at any time. Since the 1850s, bridge operators, otherwise known as “tenders,” were responsible for lifting the 70 bridges, spanning 13 miles of the Chicago River. Due to the significant decline in commercial boat traffic, the need for many of the movable bridges to operate reduced substantially which has led to bridge houses slowly deteriorating, and some have been demolished.

Tags:   CHICAGO ILLINOIS WINDY CITY DRAW BRIDGE ARCHITECTURE ABANDONED BUILDINGS ABANDONED

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Chicago River

Tags:   CHICAGO RIVER BOATS SHIPS BOATS AND SHIPS FIRE BOATS CHICAGO FIRE DEPARTMENT CHICAGO FIRE BOAT

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Chicago, IL

Tags:   BUILDINGS ARCHITECTURE skyline downtown skyscrapers CHICAGO SKYLINE CHICAGO SKSCRAPERS CHICAGO ARCHITECTURE CHICAGO BUILDINGS

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Chicago, IL

Tags:   GHOST SIGNS OLD SIGNS VINTAGE VINTAGE SIGNS CHICAGO

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