The Loop District in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Chicago River Bridge Technology
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 10, 2024
1. Chicago River Bridge Technology Marker
1894 The Vertical Lift Bridge was at Halsted Street on the South Branch of the river.
The swing style bridge did not allow room for the newer, larger ships to pass in the river so several new designs were used to solve the problem.
1895 The Scherzer Rolling Lift Bridge was the most successful, as it left the center of the river unobstructed for large ships. It was built at Van Buren Street on the South Branch of the river.
1891 The Jacknife bridge, so-called as it folded up like a knife, was built at Weed Street.
Erected 2000.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1894.
Location. 41° 53.262′ N, 87° 36.834′ 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 west 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.
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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 World's Columbian Exposition (a few steps from this marker); The Michigan Avenue Bridge (a few steps from this marker); "Shovel Day" (a few steps from this marker); The Burnham Plan (a few steps from this marker); A Century of Progress (a few steps from this marker); Early Chicago River Crossings (a few steps from this marker); Chicago (a few steps from this marker); The Reversal of the Chicago River (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.
Also see . . . Chicago's Movable Bridges.
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 39 times since then and 15 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.
