Looking west from South Water Street, east of Clark Street, Chicago. Lithography 1866

The scene presented in this picture of one of the central business points of the city, is by no means exaggerated. The view is taken from South Water Street, east of Clark, looking west. It exhibits the southern approach to Clark Street bridge being open and travel suspended.

The block west of the approach to the bridge is devoted to commercial business, and is occupied by insurance agencies, forwarding and commission merchants, brokers and others. The view extends westward to Franklin Street.

ADDITIONAL INFO: South Water Street, Chicago. "The Busiest Street in the World" from the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, in the Digital Research Library of Illinois History Journal™


Compiled by Neil Gale, Ph.D.