Forgotten Chicago

Images of America: Illinois

by John Paulett, Ron Gordon

Chicago has long been regarded as home to some of the world's most impressive architecture.
Responding to the Great Fire of 1871, Chicagoans rebuilt the city, creating a radically new architectural style. Chicago continued to grow and evolve through the 20th century, but many of its architectural masterpieces have been lost, some to modernization, and others simply to the ravages of time. Forgotten Chicago preserves the unique story of many of Chicago's famed architectural wonders. Included are the old Northwestern Train station, the Coliseum, the Chicago Stadium, old Comiskey Park, and Soldier Field. Many of the smaller treasures of the city will also be found here, including some of Chicago's most famous diners.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

128 pages, Paperback

First published May 31, 2004

Reviews

[H (trying to keep up with GR friends) Balikov · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is neither a history of Chicago nor a personal memoir. It isn’t comprehensive but it is replete with photographs to illuminate the sparse text.

Paulett chooses to look at the changes wrought after World War II with the focus on:
Rail Station
The Coliseum; The Chicago Stadium; Comiskey Park
Diners and SRO Hotels
Changed over time: Soldier Field; Cook County Hospital; Tree Studios
The Last Days of Maxwell Street

All were interesting and I actually witnessed some of the changes. I attended the last week of Comiskey Park (but didn’t take home any of the seats)

One of the most telling points about the destruction of much in the downtown area (mostly within The Loop) was that parking became more lucrative than any building on those sites. Many of the iconic structures submitted to the wrecking ball.

One demise that I wish were documented in this book was that of The Chicago Stock Exchange, a beautiful building (inside and out) designed by Sullivan and Adler.
3.5

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

A disappointment for me although there were one or two photographical gems, this book mostly celebrates the work of photographer Ron Gordon who clearly loved photographing demolitions in progress. If you're looking for background to mid-20th-century Chicago when the wrecking ball was all too frequently in action this might be the book for you.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not quite old enough to have seen all of the structures described and photographed in this book but I do have first hand memories of some. It was really interesting to view the old photographs and read a bit of historical context to better appreciate how a city evolves over time. I can now better understand what remains of these old structures today.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book left me with a sadness for not only what Chicago once was, but for what it inevitably will become. Paulett and Gordon beautifully tell stories of Chicago's past through terrifically interwoven text and photographs.

[Kevin Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cool pictures, a little too short.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

lovely photos, read for winter reading program @ library

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many places I remeber

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sad.