The Loop District in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Early Chicago River Crossings
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 10, 2024
1. Early Chicago River Crossings Marker
1850 All bridges which replaced those destroyed by the Great Flood were of a wood swing design. Three were built over the south branch of the river at Lake, Randolph and Madison Streets. In 1856 the first iron swing bridge was built at Rush Street. In 1863 it was destroyed by a stampede of cattle and rebuilt the next year.
1871 The La Salle Street Tunnel under the river accomodated two way traffic as well as a well lit pedestrian passageway.
Erected 2000.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Bridges & Viaducts • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1850.
Location. 41° 53.263′ N, 87° 36.848′ 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 Pointe du Sable Lake Shore Drive (Route 41), on the right when traveling west on Chicago Riverwalk. The mural is in the underpass beneath
this page online
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: The Great Chicago Fire (a few steps from this marker); A Century of Progress (a few steps from this marker); Riverview Park (a few steps from this marker); Chicago River 2000 (a few steps from this marker); The Michigan Avenue Bridge (a few steps from this marker); Chicago Riverwalk 2000 (a few steps from this marker); South Branch of the Chicago River 2000 (a few steps from this marker); The Burnham Plan (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
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 10, 2024
2. Chicago Riverwalk murals beneath Lake Shore Drive
Credits. This page was last revised on December 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 5, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 64 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 5, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 2. submitted on December 4, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
