In the 1960s, the population of Chicago shrank dramatically. White residents in several neighborhoods left the city for suburban areas, and the real estate industry made vast sums by blockbusting. Skilled workers and factory workers lost their jobs during the crisis. The living conditions of slum areas and ghettos were worst because the crime rates were high, shootings, robberies, rapes, fires, dreadful schools, and high dropout rates, joblessness were at its peak.
During the late 60s, the anti-war protesters disrupted the 1968 convention and ended up in a Daley-led police riot. The assassination of civil rights activist Martin Luther King led to violent riots and protest in the streets of Chicago. The unrest in Chicago led to eleven deaths and over a hundred destroyed buildings.
Take a look at these stunning historical photos of Chicago in the 1960s that shows the street, roads, transport, nightlife, and everyday life.
#1 Looking south on State Street, 1964
#2 Randolph Street theaters, 1967
#3 California Zephyr silver solarium at Chicago trainyard, 1967
#4 Chicago and Northwestern train on bridge, 1967
#5 Chicago view of skyline and parking lot, 1967
#6 Chicken man on Maxwell Street, 1967
#7 Paperboy delivering of Chicago Tribune, 1967
#8 Children looking at toy store,Chicago, 1967
#9 Maxwell Street vendors, 1967
#10 Chicago city homes, 1967
#11 Chicago River with Marina City and Equitable Building, 1967
#12 City view from Prudential, Chicago, 1967
#13 Dearborn Ave. and W. Burton Pl., Chicago, 1967
#14 Shops on State Street at night, 1967
#15 View from 333 North Michigan St., Chicago, 1967
#16 The Chicago Merchandise Mart, Christmas 1960
#17 Woods Theater, Oriental Theatre, Sherman Hotel, Chicago, 1967
#18 Astor Street, Chicago, 1967
#19 Casino Royale marquee on State Lake Theater, 1967
#20 Chicago city skyline, 1967
#21 Chicago News building and Bertals store on State Street, 1967
#22 Dirty alley off Maxwell St., Chicago, 1967.
#23 Eve Arden in Hello Dolly ticket window, Chicago, 1967
#24 Farmers Market, 1967
#25 Homeward Bound traffic, 1967
#26 Lake Street traffic and pedestrians, 1967
#27 Mark IV bus driving over bridge Chicago, 1967
#28 Traffic on the Kennedy Expressway, 1967
#29 View of Chicago from Prudential Building, 1967
#30 View of Marina Towers from State Street, 1967
#31 Walgreens Drug drugstore on State Street, 1967
#32 Yellow cab and Marina Towers, Chicago, 1967
#33 Chicago downtown, 1964
#34 Railway station in Chicago, 1964
#35 The Shangi-La, Chicago, 1964
#36 London House & Wrigley Building, 1965
#37 The Wrigley building, 1965
#38 Tribune Tower, Chicago, 1965
#39 Water Tower and Palmolive Building, 1965
#40 Wrigley Building & Chicago Tribune, 1967
#41 Apartment buildings along lake, Chicago, 1967
#42 Astor Street, Chicago, 1967
#43 Federal Savings Bank Building on Michigan Ave., Chicago, 1967
#44 Terry’s on Roosevelt Rd. and Halsted St., Chicago, 1967
#45 Traffic near Damen and Armitage Ave., Chicago, 1967
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One Comment
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There’s something sad about this picture. Born and raised on the northwest side, I explored most of the north side of Chicago ages 10-12. I can picture walking south on Milwaukee and rather suddenly the hood changed from decent to semi scary. That would’ve been further southeast – which I’ve inferred was Armitage, Damen, and Milwaukee.
The “sad part” is “what were the hoods like BEFORE the Eden’s was built. I’ll bet it was as lively and a really cool place to grow up.
#46 Chinatown, Chicago, 1964
#47 Chicago at night, 1966
#48 The Kansas City Chief awaiting departure from Dearvborn Station, Chicago,February 2, 1968
#49 The United Artist’s Theater, Chicago, 1969
#50 Chicago and Northwestern train passing alongside, 1967
#51 Chicago from top of building, 1967
#52 Hubcaps for sale on Maxwell Street, 1967
#53 Melody Freeze ice cream truck, Chicago, 1967
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3 Comments
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Do I ever remember running out after these ice cream trucks in the summer. I only ever wanted to have a banana split other than a vanilla cone. That truck’s music was like the Pied Piper calling out to all kids to follow. Best memories of summer besides getting wet at an open fire hydrant on a hot August day!
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And truck selling $1.00 watermelons off the back..
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Melody Freeze. I vaguely remember them. Good Humor trucks came down my street
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