A BRIEF HISTORY

I am not sure when Chicago was first established, but most Chicagoans consider 1871 as the date of the beginning of the present day Chicago.  That year Mrs. O’Leary’s cow started a fire in her barn. It burned three and one-third square miles, destroyed $192,000,000 in property, left 100,000 people homeless, and killed 300.

The City clearly had a great deal of rebuilding to do.  By 1893, Chicago had risen from the ashes of the Great Fire. It held The World’s Fair honoring the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ arrival in the New World.

Planning and preparation for the Fair profoundly effected architecture, the arts, Chicago’s self-image, and American industrial optimism. Nearly 200 new buildings, including our famous museums, aquarium, and Grant Park were all designed and built for The Fair. Famous architects like Daniel Burnham and Frederick Law Olmsted set the standard continued by Frank Lloyd Wright and Mies Van der Rohe and by world class architects today. 

Chicago was never a city that had to "come back."  People always lived near and worked downtown.  Nonetheless, it experienced a major boost in the 1990’s because of two events:  World Cup Soccer in 1994 and The Democratic Convention in 1996..  Soccer literally brought the world to Chicago, and the world liked what it saw:  A gorgeous setting on Lake Michigan, a City easy to navigate,  fantastic architecture, great restaurants, quality cultural attractions, and friendly people.

As for The Democratic Convention…you may remember Chicago hosted the one in 1968…the one during the waning days of The Viet Nam War…the one that nominated Hubert Humphrey…the one that had riots, with Mayor Richard J. Daley issuing a “shoot to kill order” for the protestors. Well, his son Mayor Richard M. Daley was determined to show the world a kinder, gentler, more beautiful City when it hosted this Convention.  He pulled no stops in making Chicago sparkle.  Among other things, he went on a planting spree and caused trees and flowers to grow in the concrete. It has sparkled ever since.  It has become a major tourist destination, with people loving it (except for the weather, of course).

We are at the top of The Willis Tower (formerly The Sears Tower)

 

The skies were friendly to us as well...everyday, all day. Absolutely unheard of for Chicago weather.

 

 

This person is standing on the CLEAR platform which we are about to be seated on

We are on a platform with three clear sides and a clear floor, 110 stories up

This photo is the view straight down from what we are sitting on

 

Safely back on solid ground, we wait for Jackie and Linda outside the Doubletree Hotel on Ohio (off the Magnificent Mile)

Our first stop of the evening is the Soiree given by The Millinery Alliance of Chicago.  They are as delighted we are there as we are to be there. It doesn't hurt that I purchased my Promenade 2011 hat from one of them.

Next stop: A walk down State Street, that great street, in front of the landmark Marshall Field's Store...which is now Macy's.  Darn!

And we have a chance to check out some more (more reasonably priced) hats. Yeah!

We were advised to get tickets for the Play Billy Elliott. Now I advise YOU.  If you are anywhere it is playing, be SURE to see it; it is fantastic

The lobby of the Theater (the Ford/Oriental) displays the same classic elegance of the old time hotels.  These theaters used to show first run movies.  It was a very special date when a date took you downtown to see them. 

FRIDAY morning, we stand (and in the next picture we sit) among the many beautiful floral arrangements along the Magnificent Mile

We are walking from our Hotel to take the architectural boat ride.  Jackie took it the day before and is now winging her way back to Charleston

The boat ride begins at the historic Wrigley Building

Once again, the ride I am taking is down Memory Lane. It was one of my biggest thrills to go on the Wendella and glide along the Chicago River as a teenager.  John and I did it @10 years ago. Since then the number of new buildings along the north fork and new south fork of the River is astounding...as is the quality of the architecture. This Tour is a MUST for anyone coming to Chicago.

Hat Ladies on the Go!

Looking up at the train tracks for the EL, with the Merchandise/Apparel Mart in the background (once owned by the Kennedys)

Classic architecture...

...alongside the most modern (the new Trump Tower)

Marina City, with its pie shaped apartments

Marina City from another perspective; way ahead of its time

The Willis Tower in the background

A closer look at The Willis Tower

 

See how (intentionally) buildings on opposite sides of the River reflect one another

New (expensive) townhouses line the river bed as well

More townhouses

 

Note the Ferris wheel in the distance.  More later

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