[MinuteGal]

I never lived in the city, but as a youngster growing up through my teen years in a western Chicago suburb, my mom would give me a dime on Saturdays for the El which took me into the city and into another world....a world of world-class art, science and historical museums, theaters, broadway shows, opera, ballet, lake-front festivals, air shows, parades and fabulous firework displays from Lake Michigan barges on the Fourth.

I waved and cheered at the new Queen Elizabeth as she went by me in an open-air vintage car on State Street, that Great Street, along with Princess Margaret and Prince Philip. Quite a thrill for this young lady.

Thanks so much for your wonderful photos...I studied each one and the various locations brought back so many memories.

The city has always had beautiful and progressive architecture going way back in history thanks to world-renowned Chicago architects such as Mies van der Rohe, Daniel Burnham and Louis Sullivan.

Now retired in Florida, I've never seen the Trump Tower. However, it appears beautifully-designed, low key...and despite being "modern" it fits in perfectly with the wonderous Chicago skyline.

I hope some of the Illinois freepers on my ping list here will enjoy the photos, also....you can sense the vitality of the City of Broad Shoulders shining through in each of all the very professional shots.

Thanks again, Pocopundit!

Leni/MinuteGal

[MinuteGal]

Pls see # 15 above.

Leni

[Road Warrior ‘04]

See #17

[poconopundit]

Hey Leni,

Great to hear the memories of your childhood visits to Chicago. I hear you about the "world-class art" I saw at the Chicago Art Museum, one of the best in the country.

The great city buildings we see from another era make us recall our past and the contribution that architects, accountants, brick layers, and taxpayers make to elevate their own lives and those of future generations. They seems to say:

"Here, my children, is the fruit of the culture, toil, and intelligence of we the present-day inhabitants of this great city who will soon depart this world."

"May these works of beauty inspire and remind you to continue to buttress the culture, endure the toil, use your intelligence, and reward those who contributed value to our city."

"Remember: Whatever you build in stone, steel, and glass merely reflects -- for better or worse -- the greatness of the souls that build it."

[entropy12]

The Trump Tower in Chicago had a serious pre-construction problem. The land available to build it is small & narrow. The windy city is..well very windy! If the tower was built with routine standard hi-rise building design, the sway of the building at top floor would have been 4 times other hi-rise towers in Chicago.

So the architect has designed a large concrete vertical column in the center of the building. The result is that The Trump Tower sways only 1/4th of other Chicago towers of similar height in windy conditions.

How can you tell a local from a visitor in Chicago?
The visitors usually pronounce “Chi-caa-go”. The locals will usually say “Chi-caw-go”.