DuSable Bridge
Chicago
The DuSable Bridge has carried Michigan Avenue over the Chicago River since 1920. It is a two-level movable bridge, the first of its kind. It links downtown with the neighborhoods to the north.
Burnham's plan
In 1909 architect Daniel Burnham drew up a great plan for the city. He proposed extending Michigan Avenue across the river, with an elegant bridge. Work began in 1918, and the bridge opened in May 1920 with music, boats and fireworks.
Two levels that lift
The bridge has two levels: the avenue runs on top, a service road below. Each of the two halves turns on a big pivot and lifts toward the sky. Two motors per side are enough.
Stone towers
At the four corners of the bridge stand towers of pale stone. In 1928 the north towers received big sculptures showing explorers and early pioneers.
The first inhabitants
Before modern buildings, these lands belonged to the Potawatomi and other peoples of the Great Lakes. Du Sable traded with them around 1780. With the Treaty of Chicago of 1833, the Potawatomi gave up these lands. Many of them had to move west. Their nations still exist today.
