I was sleeping. Ha!
Forum: Forgotten Chicago Sightings

Have you ever lived in or managed a four plus one? I want to hear about it: fourplusone.org
Forum: Announcements

From Chicago Public Works: A History - "The Halsted Viaduct, finished in 1972, replaced a wooden viaduct built in 1884."
Forum: Questions and Answers (Q&A)

Frank, If you have a specific question for us, send an email to staff@forgottenchicago.com. I would have to look into the Kaspar bank to determine whether or not it was purpose built. The bank could have financed it, but it is equally probable that they rented retail space. As for the Karban bank, I had forgotten about that one.
Forum: General Discussion

What are some of the oldest still-extant elevators you've come across? Some that come to my mind: The Brewster Building, the Fine Arts Building. Discuss!
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He designed a De Met lunch counter at 7 W. Randolph in 1923. That's all I could find in a cursory search.
Forum: Questions and Answers (Q&A)

The best way to determine exact addresses is to use the City's zoning map: http://maps.cityofchicago.org/website/zoning/
Forum: General Discussion

Jane Court shows up on 1950s Fire Insurance maps, but is not listed as a street in the City's current zoning map. It would definitely be short enough for the page, but as it seems to be un-signed and un-recognized by the city, it shouldn't be included. Interesting find, though.
Forum: Forgotten Chicago Sightings

What is the oldest standing street-level billboards in the metropolitan area? I'm talking about the type that is so low it would be tough to drive a car under it. Some examples of this height can be found at Chicago/Ashland and Broadway/Ardmore. List the ones you know!
Forum: Questions and Answers (Q&A)

Captain, why do you think the bridge is an eyesore?
Forum: General Discussion

Richard, what is the address?
Forum: General Discussion

A significant amount of this book is available online at: http://books.google.com/books?id=_yR46e7-mVgC&printsec=frontcover&dq=Building+The+South+Side+by+Robin+Bachin&ei=JEwKSta6MI7SMKuFhMcL
Forum: General Discussion

Half of the building is historic, the other half expendable. Classic.
Forum: General Discussion

Your beloved (!) webmasters are currently in Pittsburgh, where we just watched on television, incredulously, a public debate regarding, get this, the construction of a new expressway. And only an hour difference in the exact same 2008 where Chicago is witnessing the highest gas prices in ever (in this country). Need I forget, they (the people of the Allegheny County, one of whom in Sharpsburg
Forum: Forgotten Chicago Sightings

So this is where signage goes to die.
Forum: Forgotten Chicago Sightings

Answered my own question. Cuneen's has it, and the stuff isn't bad. Certainly no 'Schitz'.
Forum: General Discussion

Interesting that it was called Station street, as the closest station to it was at Diversey. Perhaps it refers to an even older station.
Forum: Forgotten Chicago Sightings

That Ripley's cartoon is amusing. Maybe they were running short on material, because its not an unbelievable premise. There are a few good aerial photos of Marktown by Alex MacLean on the UIC Imagebase.
Forum: Forgotten Chicago Sightings

Has anyone come across the neo-classic (?) version of Schlitz either at a bar or in a store?
Forum: General Discussion

You should fly in and land there, just to make a point. Of course, you'll be infamous - reviled and loved at the same time. And oh yeah, arrested.
Forum: Forgotten Chicago Sightings

Our associate Robert has an excellent photograph of this...thing. Apparently, it is best viewed at dusk as it supposedly has the effect of warping one's relationship to the sky, almost the reverse of the trompe l'oeil oculi seen in Renaissance painting. But hey, don't believe the hype, it is no replacement for Maxwell street.
Forum: General Discussion

We only recently got a picture of the 18th street post office. Buildings on the south side of the street are by far and away the toughest to photograph.
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I've never been back there, but judging from streetview images, I'd say that whole area between 134th and the river is about as rural as it gets within city limits. Good find!
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http://www.trolleybuses.net/chi/htm/usa_h_chi_mh_9500_rt52kedzieindustrialcanal_19680922_ss.htm Link to a pic of the Kedzie bridge. There are some circular designs visible above the back of the bus. Here's another - http://www.trolleybuses.net/chi/htm/usa_h_chi_mh_9512_rt52kedzieindustrialcanal_19680324_ss.htm
Forum: Forgotten Chicago Sightings

It is quite small...it would qualify for the tiny streets page if it were named something other than 57th pl. And the fact that Major ave is an alley makes it more odd. Do you know the history of this oddity?
Forum: Forgotten Chicago Sightings

I ALWAYS wanted to know this. I for the longest time was going to physically go and ask the homeowner. Thanks!!!
Forum: General Discussion

Horse heads on buildings usually mean you are looking at a former stable. Could have been a dairy stable? There is a plaque by that one, I seem to remember something about the great fire, then again, maybe not...
Forum: Forgotten Chicago Sightings

I always say "If I were to become mayor, the first order of business would be to put Ogden back in." I would be terribly unpopular, but hey, its a missing link. I came across both the Genna incident and Maggio's website while researching my article. Her website doesn't really have any good stuff on Ogden, although it does have a couple good photos of LP/OT in the 80s. Like this one
Forum: General Discussion

While researching municipal parking garages, I came across a photo of the garage at 320 N. LaSalle with the North Water Terminal behind it. Only could have been taken in a short period of time - the garage was built in 1955 and the station demolished in 1962. No pics of the movable platform at Merch Mart though...
Forum: General Discussion

I can't find very much on this, but I highly doubt it was expressway-related. The Crosstown was planned to extend south along Cicero from the Edens junction. This is two and a half miles away. It is more likely that it was a building involved in the manufacture of bricks. Then again, I can't find any proof. Here is an article which mentions children on a large building around Brickyard, and a p
Forum: General Discussion