The Loop District in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Chicago's Movable Bridges

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 10, 2024

1. Chicago's Movable Bridges Marker

Inscription. Chicago has more movable bridges than any other city in the world. Most bridges over the Chicago River are trunnion bascule bridges known throughout the world as "Chicago Style". The French word "bascule" means teeter-totter. Through the mid-century they operated to accommodate commercial river traffic. Today, the bridges open in spring and fall to allow recreational boats to travel to and from Lake Michigan harbors.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 41° 53.305′ N, 87° 37.438′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in The Loop District. It can be reached from Chicago Riverwalk near Michigan Avenue. The marker is on the Chicago Riverwalk, a short distance from the stairway up to the DuSable (Michigan Avenue) Bridge. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chicago IL 60601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Chicago River Wildlife (here, next to this marker); Kin Link, 2023 (a few steps from this marker); Regeneration (a few steps from this marker); The Bridges of Chicago (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Kin Link, 2023

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

(within shouting distance of this marker); Rene Robert Cavalier Sieur de La Salle (within shouting distance of this marker); Chicago River (within shouting distance of this marker); 333 North Michigan Building (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

More about this marker. The marker is one of roughly a dozen along the Riverwalk, including maybe a half-dozen right by the Michigan Avenue Bridge, most of which pertain to the river and its wildlife and do not have any history attached.

Regarding Chicago's Movable Bridges. There are 37 movable bridges within Chicago's city limits, according to the Chicago Architecture Center; about 20 of these are downtown.

Also see . . .
1. Chicago Architecture Center: Chicago's Movable Bridges.

Excerpt: "At the beginning and end of each boating season, every downtown bridge is lifted, to allow people to bring their high-masted boats to the lake. This year, the bridge lifts will begin in mid-April. While it is quite a spectacle for some, many find it bothersome as they wait to walk or drive across
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 10, 2024

2. Chicago's Movable Bridges Marker
The DuSable Bridge (formerly the Michigan Avenue Bridge) is behind the marker in this photo, facing northwest. In the sky behind the bridge are, from left to right, the Trump International Hotel and Tower; the Wrigley Building; and the Tribune Tower.
the river. Those grumbling should take note, however, that the bridges used to lift much more frequently than they do today. In the 19th Century and part of the 20th Century, bridges were lifted or spinned on demand, whenever a boat needed to pass by. Today, they typically only lift on timed schedules."

(Submitted on September 11, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. The Trunnion Bascule Bridge: Technology That Changed Chicago. From the Chicago Public Library, a look at the "Chicago-style" bridge. (Submitted on September 11, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

DuSable Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 18, 2023

3. DuSable Bridge

The bridge was formerly known as Michigan Avenue Bridge. The Movable Bridges historical marker is on the right in this east-facing photo, hidden behind the right side of the bridge.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 11, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 11, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 236 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 11, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.