The Chicago River: Then and Now, in Photos

See the ghosts of Chicago’s past in this collection of then-and-now images taken from various locations along the Chicago River.

c. 1955 2017 The Michigan Avenue Bridge, Wrigley Building, and Tribune Tower, circa 1955 and in 2017, just before the opening of the new Apple building. Left: Photo credit: Chicago History Museum. Right: Photo by Kristan Lieb.

1960 2017 The north bank of the Chicago River between State Street and Dearborn Street, where City Winery now sits, as seen in 1960 and 2017. Left: Photo credit: Chicago History Museum. Right: Photo by Jessica Pupovac.

1911 2017 Traffic and pedestrians crossing the Madison Street Bridge in 1911 and 2017. Left: Photo credit: Chicago History Museum. Right: Photo by Jessica Pupovac.

1931 2017 The Tribune Tower, located at 435 North Michigan Avenue, seen from across the Chicago River in 1931 and 2017. Left: Photo credit: Chicago History Museum. Right: Photo by Jessica Pupovac.

1920 2017 The Main Stem of the Chicago River, with the Franklin and Orleans Street bascule bridge in the foreground. The picture on the left was taken in 1920, the year the bridge was completed. The photo on the right was taken 2017, nearly a century later. Left: Photo credit: Chicago History Museum. Right: Photo by Kristan Lieb.

1928 2017 The art deco building at 333 North Michigan, as seen from across the river in 1928 while under construction and in 2017. Left: Photo credit: Chicago History Museum. Right: Photo by Jessica Pupovac.

1910 2017 View from Randolph Street of the “L” train passing over the Lake Street Bridge, as seen in 1910 and 2017. Left: Photo credit: Chicago History Museum. Right: Photo by Jessica Pupovac.

1929 2017 Cars drive over the Michigan Avenue Bridge in 1929 and in 2017. LondonHouse Chicago can be seen in the background. Left: Photo credit: Chicago History Museum. Right: Photo by Jessica Pupovac.

1922 2017 The Chicago River and the Wrigley Building from across the river near State Street, as seen in 1922 and in 2017. Left: Photo credit: Chicago History Museum. Right: Photo by Jessica Pupovac.

1916 2017 The Jackson Street Bridge from the south bank of the South Branch in 1916 and 2017. Left: Photo credit: Chicago History Museum, Right: Photo by Jessica Pupovac.