Check out Chicago in its' Prime (Oak Park, Bismarck: condos, neighborhood, casino)

[oakparkdude]

Originally Posted by It'sAutomatic

It's crazy how much less downtown was built up (especially around the water tower) back when there were almost 3.7 million people here! I would very much like a neighborhood tour from that time period... I can only imagine how some areas that are now decayed or razed over once were vibrant neighborhoods.

Back then Chicago had many vibrant neighborhood commercial districts (such as 63rd and Halsted in Englewood) most of which no longer exist anymore. And of course, employment was much more widely distributed to all the various factories spread across Chicago. Those are pretty much mostly gone too. What's left is a Chicago where employment is extremely concentrated in the CBD and retail is mostly located in the CBD and north side.

Plus, although the city has shrunk in size, the metro area has grown to almost 10 million, and a lot of those suburbanites obviously still work in the Loop.

[oakparkdude]

Originally Posted by 5Lakes

That's because you are probably only considering the downtown and some well-off north side areas, which I agree are the best they have ever been. Back in those days most of the city was full of stable middle-class neighborhoods, many of which have degenerated into a slum-like existence that you will find them in today. This video was taken just before white flight kicked into high gear.

This was also what I was thinking when I made my previous comment. I lived in Hyde Park for many years and have passing familiarity with Woodlawn and Washington Park neighborhoods (home of Jackson Park and the Lorado Taft scupture.)

[Tex?Il?]

Originally Posted by sukwoo

Well, I see people aren't able to read my mind. When I saw the video I thought to myself "This kind of vibrant downtown used to be fairly common. Cleveland, Detroit, St. Louis, etc all had lively downtowns with the department store and theater district, etc. In the midwest, only Chicago remains." Obviously I wasn't able to convey that in my post.

I see what you are saying. With the exception of the stockyards, everything shown in that video is as majestic as ever.

Unfortunately, Cleveland, Detroit, and St. Louis can't quite claim that.

[Tex?Il?]

Originally Posted by sukwoo

Back then Chicago had many vibrant neighborhood commercial districts (such as 63rd and Halsted in Englewood) most of which no longer exist anymore. And of course, employment was much more widely distributed to all the various factories spread across Chicago. Those are pretty much mostly gone too. What's left is a Chicago where employment is extremely concentrated in the CBD and retail is mostly located in the CBD and north side.

Plus, although the city has shrunk in size, the metro area has grown to almost 10 million, and a lot of those suburbanites obviously still work in the Loop.

Very good point.

As much as I kind of hope the olympics don't come here, it would likely help revitalize the south side, and hopefully bring some employment down there. (Although I kind of like the less-crowded Hyde Park. I like its "relative isolation" from the north side scene.

[Tex?Il?]

Originally Posted by snoylekim

What I'd really like to find is color footage of some of the same neighborhoods where the Cushman collection stills were shot ( pre UR Hyde Park, the old neighborhood around DeKoven, Polk that has been razed) ... North Clark and West Madison ... That would definitely show an older Chicago long since gone...

I agree. While UIC area does provide affordable college education. That area is a bit sterile. It could be anywhere in the sunbelt. (IE: Arizona state in Tempe).

[Tex?Il?]

Originally Posted by MTUCache

That was my thought as well... as somebody brand new to the city, who's still bowled over by the awesome sights around every corner, much of video could have been filmed today (with costumed cast and vintage autos of course) and it wouldn't have looked that much different.

Quite an amazing thing this place is. Even more so because there has been so little deteriation. In the middle of it you look around and all you see is progress and change, but when you look at it from this perspective things seem to have stayed relatively constant for the last fifty years. Sure, some of the buildings may be bigger, and the people don't dress nearly as regaly, but in its heart it's still chugging along like it always has.

Very cool.

I totally agree.

[Chicagoland60426]

Originally Posted by Tex?Il?

Very good point.

As much as I kind of hope the olympics don't come here, it would likely help revitalize the south side, and hopefully bring some employment down there. (Although I kind of like the less-crowded Hyde Park. I like its "relative isolation" from the north side scene.

Its about time for Chicago to sell itself to the world, so I kind of hope the Olympics come to the southside. The olympics might bring more population back in Chicago considering the olympics would show how great Chicago is to the rest of the nation and world.

[Irishtom29]

Originally Posted by Chicagoland60426

considering the olympics would show how great Chicago is to the rest of the nation and world.

They're likely to show the opposite.

[Venom]

Originally Posted by Irishtom29

They're likely to show the opposite.

Leelz

[mas23]

Originally Posted by Chicagoland60426

Its about time for Chicago to sell itself to the world, so I kind of hope the Olympics come to the southside. The olympics might bring more population back in Chicago considering the olympics would show how great Chicago is to the rest of the nation and world.

Agree 1000%.(yes one-thousand, no typo!) I hope the olympics come to the s. side. I've got family in that area where most of the olympic stuff is suppose to happen and they cant wait either. Bronzeville woodlaw and esp. wash. park could really use this