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

Michigan Avenue Bridge and Wacker Drive Esplanade

Edward H. Bennett, architect; 1918-28

— Chicago Landmark —

Michigan Avenue Bridge and Wacker Drive Esplanade Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 30, 2024

1. Michigan Avenue Bridge and Wacker Drive Esplanade Marker

Inscription. Conceived as part of Daniel Burnham's 1900 plan of Chicago, the Michigan Avenue Bridge and Wacker Drive were designed to improve transportation and to enhance Chicago's riverfront. The opening of the bridge in 1920, followed by the esplanade in 1926 and the monumental sculptures in 1928, provided an impressive gateway to North Michigan Avenue and led to its development as one of the city's premier thoroughfares.

Designated on October 2, 1991
Richard M. Daley, Mayor

Erected by Commission on Chicago Landmarks; City of Chicago.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Bridges & Viaducts • Roads & Vehicles • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Illinois, Chicago Landmarks Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1918.

Location. 41° 53.314′ N, 87° 37.486′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in The Loop District. It is on East Wacker Drive west of North Michigan Avenue, on the right when traveling west. The marker is affixed to a wall overlooking the Chicago River, a short distance

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from the DuSable 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: Site of Fort Dearborn (a few steps from this marker); Rene Robert Cavalier Sieur de La Salle (a few steps from this marker); Fort Dearborn (a few steps from this marker); Chicago River (a few steps from this marker); The Bridges of Chicago (within shouting distance of this marker); Regeneration (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Fort Dearborn (within shouting distance of this marker); Kin Link, 2023 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

More about this marker. The marker erroneously says that the Plan

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 30, 2024

2. Michigan Avenue Bridge and Wacker Drive Esplanade Marker

The southern end of the bridge, renamed the DuSable Bridge in 2010

of Chicago was from 1900. Known popularly as "Burnham Plan," it was begun in 1906 and published in 1909.

Regarding Michigan Avenue Bridge and Wacker Drive Esplanade. Walker Drive is named for Charles Wacker, a businessman who ran the Chicago Planning Commission, overseeing implementation of the Burnham Plan, from 1909 until 1926.

The Michigan Avenue Bridge was renamed in 2010 in honor of Jean Baptiste Point DuSable, a man of Haitian descent who built his home on the north bank of the river around 1803 and is considered Chicago’s first permanent settler.

Also see . . .
1. Edward H. Bennett. From the Cultural Landscape Foundation, a brief bio of Edward H. Bennett.

Excerpt: "He moved to New York upon graduating and apprenticed under George B. Post until 1903, when he relocated to Chicago to work with architect and urban planner Daniel H. Burnham. It was with Burnham that Bennett gained acclaim, co-authoring the Plan for San Francisco in 1905 and the Plan of Chicago in 1909. Settled in Chicago, Bennett served on the Chicago Plan Commission and opened a private practice as an architect and city planner, partnering with William
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 30, 2024

3. Michigan Avenue Bridge and Wacker Drive Esplanade Marker
The marker overlooks the Chicago River, the Trump International Tower & Hotel to the left and the Wrigley Building to the right.
E. Parsons and Harry T. Frost."

(Submitted on October 31, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. Chicago Architecture Center: 1909 Plan of Chicago. (Submitted on October 31, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

DuSable Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 18, 2023

4. DuSable Bridge

The bridge was known as Michigan Avenue Bridge until being renamed after Chicago's first permanent settler in 2010. The Wacker Drive Esplanade and this historical marker are at street level on the right.

Wacker Drive opening, 1926 image. Click for full size.

Chicago Daily News Collection, Chicago History Museum, 1926

5. Wacker Drive opening, 1926

Crowds line Wacker Drive at its opening almost 100 years ago. The Wrigley Building and Tribune Tower can be seen in the background, across the river.

Wacker Drive image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 30, 2024

6. Wacker Drive

This view shows Wacker Drive from across the Chicago River. Wacker is one of America’s more unique roadways, a double-decker street that runs parallel to the Chicago River. After passing the Wabash Avenue bridge (pictured), the road turns southward with the river towards the Eisenhower Expressway.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 7, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 31, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 408 times since then and 77 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 31, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 4. submitted on September 11, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 5. submitted on October 31, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 6. submitted on November 3, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.