Chicago Then & Now

by Elizabeth McNulty

The latest installment in the popular Then and Now series showcases the capital of the Heartland and one of the premier cities in the nation and the Chicago. Chicago's change and growth over the last century is captured in this photographic history. Modern color photos sit side by side with black and white archival photographs. Every important building, avenue, neighborhood, and point of interest is documented. It covers all of Chicago's landmarks from Navy Pier to the Stockyards and from the Southside all the way up the Magnificent Mile. Take in a game at Wrigley Field, then take it all in from the top of the Sear's Tower. The Water Tower and all the other architectural features that make Chicago great are also included.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Architecture, Photography, Travel, American History

144 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2000

Reviews

[Nancy]

As a native Illinosan, I have visited Chicago many times over the years, and have a deeper connection to it because my Dad was born and raised there. As such, this book was very interesting in that it compares photographs of early Chicago and modern-day Chicago, and includes historical information about the various locations. I actually looked at two editions from 2000 and 2015, and there were further updated photographs that showed change in just that 15-year time span. The most interesting photographic locations to me were along Lake Shore Drive, the Union Stock Yards, Lincoln Park, Haymarket Square, several Chicago River locations, Oak Street Beach (I looked closely at the old photograph from 1922 hoping that I'd spot my young grandparents), Water Tower, Clarke House, and the L trains.

The 2000 edition was written by Elizabeth McNulty with the new photographs by Simon Clay (who should have gotten credit on the title page) and the updated 2015 edition was by Kathleen Maguire with some new photographs by Karl Mondon.

[Stephanie Soltes]

Largely a coffee table sized “picture book”. Beautiful old buildings and architecture. The worst part is,the torn down buildings,and how no one saves them from being ruined because old is bad,and new gleaming glass and steel structures are better. Personally I love the older buildings,and love the old ornamental styles. At least we have this book to give you a glimpse of the past. I’m so glad someone was there to document the old buildings. Every major city needs to save the old,and historical places,so people can understand architecture and the past.

[Suzy Prybell]

This was an interesting look at the city from the Chicago Fire to present day. It was interesting to see the changes, and how unfortunately the beautiful architecture erected in the late 1800s was torn down for more functionally ugly buildings in the 70s. I did learn some about the city I've grown up in, and it really made me want to take the Chicago River architectural tour this spring. Nerd Alert.

[Karen]

I bought this book at a used bookstore about a year ago and it just sat on my night table. A minute before we were leaving for Chicago I grabbed it and read it on the plane. So interesting! I read about Daniel Burnham quite a bit in The Devil and the White City, so it was nice to have that background. Then, walking around Chicago was even more interesting than normal - just wish we had had more time there.

[Kim]

I love me a good picture book. So crazy trying to match up old Chicago pictures to what the city is like now. Also, I'm a little sad how many of the beautiful buildings were torn down. Architectural history, gone.

[R.G. Ziemer]

A great collection of historic Chicago photos, paired with current shots of the same locations. They did a really good job juxtaposing shots taken from the exact angle and point of view, whenever possible, so it is possible to identify individual buildings on a block.

[Luiza]

Beautiful pictures and interesting details about some places in Chicago. Very interesting to know which transformations happened along the years, and how places were before.

[Autumn Kearney]

Chicago Then and Now (Then & Now Thunder Bay) This book is interesting enough. Many of the photographs are repeats from other books and sources. I was hoping for something different. The point of looking at this book, as least for me, is to see new things or at least old things in a new perspective.

[Ram]

As local interest works go, this one is pretty interesting. I wish there were more pictures of some of the old structures that have since been replaced by "modern," black-box buildings. This book can retail for a lot, so pick it up used if possible.

[BB]

Got this as a gift for someone, and it's sure worth the money! The quality is great, and some of the comparisons are surprising and interesting. If you're hoping for an overview, most of the "before" pictures were taken between the 1920s and 1940s.

[TJ]

During a recent trip to Chicago I purchased this as a souvenir of the trip. It is full of some great old pictures and pictures of how the city is in 2012. I enjoyed the book very much, it brought back great memories and educated me on things we missed about the city.

[Sean Evans]

Chicago Then and Now (Then & Now) by Elizabeth McNulty (2000)

[Another]

I read new 2nd edition by Kathleen Maguire. Quite enjoyable as I'm a Chicago-born girl.

[Jessica]

A wonderful trip down Chicago's memory lane.

[Sarah]

A great coffee table book for anyone interested in history or Chicago.

[Angela Garza]

Buena explicacion breve de la historia y arquitectura de Chicago, y el analisis del pasado y presente de cada area.

[Arlene S]

Photos! This title is updated periodically with different editors
( of course, the "now" part would have to be updated.)