Friday, November 21, 2008

Broadway & Wilson, Christmas 1955

Check out how they decked the streets (and halls) back in 1955 in Uptown. Thanks to WAMA and the donations from residents like you, our streets should have similar spirit this year. We hope that the SSA#34 has sufficient funds for decorations next holiday season. (photo: CTA)
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14 comments:

  1. AnonymousNovember 21, 2008 at 8:32 AM

    That is an amazing view. I recognize the light pole on the right as the same rotting, trash filled light pole(s) in front of the Tattoo Factory just south of there on Broadway. Thanks for this photo.

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  2. UnknownNovember 21, 2008 at 9:05 AM

    Same trash cans that are on street corners today!

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  3. holy moleyNovember 21, 2008 at 9:53 AM

    You know, it's highly unusual to find a neighborhood on the North Side that looked better 50 years ago than it does now. Only in Uptown, I guess.

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  4. Man On The StreetNovember 21, 2008 at 12:30 PM

    I half expect Phillip Marlowe to come walking out of the right side of that frame, cross the street and head to the train station, all while smoking a cigarette. Great pic.

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  5. Edgewater Crime BlotterNovember 21, 2008 at 1:44 PM

    I was just pondering those ornate yet decayed light poles last weekend while outside the Spot next to the Tattoo Factory. I was wondering how old they might be!

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  6. Man On The StreetNovember 21, 2008 at 2:37 PM

    I have a book somewhere of Uptown during the 20s, 30s, etc. Some more great views of the area. Who knows, maybe someday...

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  7. larrynowNovember 21, 2008 at 3:08 PM

    I've only seen them a few times but I think the light poles on State Street in the loop have the same bases as the ones in this pic.

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  8. AnonymousNovember 21, 2008 at 6:45 PM

    Wow- take away the land yacht and it looks the same- great photo!

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  9. Zesty MarinaraNovember 21, 2008 at 7:16 PM

    Where are the blue light police cameras? It’s so hard to tell from a black and white photo.

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  10. AnonymousNovember 21, 2008 at 7:17 PM

    Where is the lady sitting in the blue chair selling soap and lotion from a suitcase? Or what about the guys selling socks and CDs stacked in the window of the wonderfully managed currency exchange?

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  11. AnonymousNovember 21, 2008 at 7:20 PM

    ManOnTheStreet-
    You should scan your old Uptown pics and email them to Uptown Update so we can all enjoy them.

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  12. Starck MadNovember 22, 2008 at 12:41 AM

    I think Holy Moley said it best......the realization that the neighborhood looked so much better over 50 years ago is a bit sad.
    Now we have the 'street market' sellers near that corner, crumbling L infrastructure, crazy and/or criminal vagrants, and worse.
    Again, all a stone's throw from the 46th ward office.

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  13. Zesty MarinaraNovember 22, 2008 at 3:18 PM

    If Helen Shiller can do this to Broadway and Wilson, just think what she'll do to Wilson Yard.

    Three words:

    "Small Business Incubator" (aka Indoor Flea Market, ala Broadway Mall)

    I have three words:

    "I mean REALLLLLLLLLY!"

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  14. willem biedermannNovember 22, 2008 at 4:19 PM

    It looks so clean and safe. Just think, in 1955 Helen was just a young 25 year-old upstart, a bit too young to bring about her full-scale war on cleanliness and safety.

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