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

Chicago River Wildlife

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 10, 2024

1. Chicago River Wildlife Marker

Inscription. The mixture of river, marshes, prairie and forest surrounding the pre-settlement Chicago River supported a variety of wildlife species, but numbers dwindled as development and pollution changed their habitat. With the health of the river improving, many types of wildlife are returning. Native wildlife includes yellow perch and bluegills; beaver and otters; great blue herons and kingfishers; snapping turtles and bullfrogs.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Environment • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 41° 53.305′ N, 87° 37.436′ 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, near the steps 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's Movable Bridges (here, next to this marker); Kin Link, 2023 (a few steps from this marker); Regeneration (within shouting distance of this marker); The Bridges of Chicago (within shouting distance of this marker); a different

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marker also named Kin Link, 2023 (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 mark is one of a dozen or so that can be found along the Chicago Riverwalk, including about a half-dozen here near Michigan Avenue. Most are related to the river and its environment, but only a few reference history.

Also see . . . About the Chicago River. From Friends of the Chicago River (Submitted on September 11, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 10, 2024

2. Chicago River Wildlife Marker

The DuSable Bridge (previously known as the Michigan Avenue Bridge) over the Chicago River is behind the marker. Behind that is the Wrigley Building, and to the right the Tribune Tower.

Michigan Avenue Bridge image. Click for full size.

Chicago Daily News Collection, Chicago History Museum, circa 1927

3. Michigan Avenue Bridge

A late 1920s photo of the Michigan Avenue bridge, looking southward. The spot of the marker today would be below the bridge on the left side of this photo.

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 159 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 11, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.