I visited Chicago just after Thanksgiving and really liked the city. I didn’t get a huge amount of time to photograph but did capture a few images I liked.
I am a sucker of old industrial or engineering artifacts and this bridge was not far from my hotel.
Chicago has many swing bridges (lifting bridges if you like) and they do open fairly regularly (no doubt causing a traffic nightmare) but no openings were planned during my visit. At some point this bridge allowed trains to traverse the river but it’s connection with the rail network on either side of the river have long since gone and this remains as a relic of some long forgotten purpose.
From the Chicago website I see that it was built over 100 years ago in 1908 and looks like it will be preserved as it was designated as a Chicago Landmark in 2007. Technically it is an ‘overhead counterweight bascule bridge’ and was at the time of building thought to be the “world’s longest and heaviest bridge of its type” – impressive.
What now remains is gnarled wood, rusty iron and a great photography subject.
I love this kind of thing and I could have spent a couple of hours finding the best angles (or time of day) for this, but breakfast and the rest of our day was calling.
December 12, 2017 at 9:17 am
Downtown Chicago has some wicked cool old bridges to be sure.
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December 12, 2017 at 10:13 am
It sure does. I’m not sure if it’s all the movies I’ve seen or what but I do like the whole look and feel of that area with ‘El’ trains and proper steel bridges.
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December 12, 2017 at 9:32 am
I really love Chicago and I’m blown away with your photos, particularly the one looking up the raised deck, fantastic!
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December 12, 2017 at 10:14 am
Thanks Mr Dookes! I’m sure there are some better shots to be had and I will have to see what the 35mm film come back with 🙂
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December 12, 2017 at 11:29 am
I just love the way that you have captured the different textures on the old structure.
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December 12, 2017 at 10:17 am
Not sure about some of the verticals on the wider shots though, that Rokinon 12mm wide angle is good but it has it’s limits.
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December 12, 2017 at 11:48 am
Thanks, I was blessed with a good subject 🙂
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December 12, 2017 at 11:34 am
Love Chicago and have also seen (and photographed) some of these bridges. Did you do the architecture boat tour? It’s the best way to see the bridges 🙂
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December 12, 2017 at 11:43 am
We were going to but didn’t have time in the end
next time 🙂
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