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

Chicago River 2000

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 10, 2024

1. Chicago River 2000 Marker

Inscription.
The main branch of the river 2000

Erected 2000.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 2000.

Location. 41° 53.27′ N, 87° 36.853′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in The Loop District. It is at the intersection of Chicago Riverwalk and Jean Baptiste Point du Sable Lake Shore Drive (U.S. 41), on the right when traveling east on Chicago Riverwalk. The mural is in the underpass beneath Lake Shore Drive. 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 Riverwalk 2000 (here, next to this

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marker); South Branch of the Chicago River 2000 (here, next to this marker); Riverview Park (here, next to this marker); Illinois and Michigan Canal (a few steps from this marker); Early Chicago River Crossings (a few steps from this marker); A Century of Progress (a few steps from this marker); The Great Chicago Fire (a few steps from this marker); The Michigan Avenue Bridge (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

More about this marker. The mural is one of several erected in the Chicago Riverwalk's tunnel beneath Lake Shore Drive, close to where the Chicago River meets Lake Michigan. Of the 16 murals, this one and two others depict Chicago in the year 2000, when they were erected.

Regarding Chicago River 2000. The Chicago River today travels about 1⅓ miles west from Lake Michigan before splitting into two branches, North and South.

Also see . . . Chicago Park District: Riverwalk Gateway Murals | Artwork.

Excerpt: "In 1998, the City of Chicago began expanding the pedestrian walkway along the south bank of the Chicago River. The architectural firm of Skidmore,
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 10, 2024

2. The Riverwalk Gateway
Several murals adorn the walls of this walkway beneath Du Sable Lake Shore Drive.
Owings & Merrill designed the framework of the path, which included an enlarged promenade with plenty of room for restaurants, shops, and green spaces. Under a city ordinance, the Chicago Park District was assigned responsibility for the Riverwalk’s concessions. One of the first completed aspects of the project was the Riverwalk Gateway, a trellised, steel and cast concrete structure that connects the east end of the promenade to the lakefront bicycle and pedestrian path. The 170-foot passageway transformed the once-gritty space under Lake Shore Drive into a bright and inviting corridor that opens onto a panoramic view of the juncture between the river and the lake."

(Submitted on December 2, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

"Riverwalk Gateway" plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 10, 2024

3. "Riverwalk Gateway" plaque

The Chicago River's main branch in 2022 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, June 2, 2022

4. The Chicago River's main branch in 2022

Credits. This page was last revised on December 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 2, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 47 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 2, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.