Why Chicago's Navy Pier was Almost Abandoned
Why Chicago's Navy Pier was Almost Abandoned
Chapters:
00:46 – “Discover why Navy Pier is essential to the history of Chicago”
02:50 – “Unveiling ‘The Plan of Chicago’: The Blueprint for Navy Pier”
06:16 – “Behind the Scenes: The Fascinating Design and Construction of Navy Pier”
08:27 – “Step Inside the Grand Opening of Navy Pier: A Chicago Spectacle”
09:31 – “Navy Pier in Its Heyday: Explore the Thrilling Entertainment Offerings”
11:58 – “A New Name, A New Era: The Story Behind Navy Pier’s Renaming”
12:35 – “The Untold Story of Navy Pier’s Downfall and Resurgence”
13:00 – “How the US Navy Made Navy Pier Their Home: An Untold Story”
13:53 – “From Decline to Revival: How the St Lawrence Seaway Saved Navy Pier”
14:32 – “Lost and Found: The Mystery of Navy Pier’s Trolley Tracks”
15:08 – “Navy Pier’s Second Fall from Grace: What Went Wrong”
16:08 – “Taste of Chicago: Why Navy Pier is the Ultimate Destination for Foodies”
16:45 – “A New Chapter: The Exciting Redevelopment of Navy Pier You Don’t Want to Miss”
Navy Pier is one of Chicago’s most iconic landmarks, attracting millions of visitors each year. But how did this impressive structure come to be? In this video, we’ll take a look at the fascinating history of Navy Pier, from its early days as a shipping and recreation hub to its transformation into the bustling entertainment destination we know today. First built in 1916, Navy Pier was originally known as Municipal Pier and was designed to serve as a docking facility for cargo ships and passenger steamers. Over the years, the pier also served as a military training facility during World War II and as a campus for the University of Illinois at Chicago. In the 1980s, the city of Chicago began a major renovation project to transform Navy Pier into a premier entertainment destination. The renovated pier, which opened in 1995, features a variety of attractions, including the famous 150-foot Ferris wheel, the Chicago Children’s Museum, the IMAX theater, and a plethora of restaurants, shops, and entertainment options. Throughout its history, Navy Pier has played an important role in the life of the city of Chicago, serving as a vital transportation hub, a military training facility, and a hub for recreation and entertainment. Today, it continues to be one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city, offering visitors a unique glimpse into the city’s history and culture, as well as a wide range of exciting attractions and activities.
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IT’S HISTORY – Weekly tales of American Urban Decay as presented by your host Ryan Socash.
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» CREDIT
Scriptwriter – Ryan Socash
Editor – David Daddario
Host – Ryan Socash
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» NOTICE
Some images may be used for illustrative purposes only – always reflecting the accurate time frame and content. Events of factual error / mispronounced word/spelling mistakes – retractions will be published in this section.
I went to a prom at navy pier, on one of those ships. Great time. Love that place. I wish Chicago could get rid of the number of cars on the roads. Bring back the streetcars and trolleys along with the El and the subway systems & buses. Chicago should be a cycling paradise.
Good place for video and pictures of the city…
Sears Tower? What you talking about Willis?
I’ve never been there, and I live in the northern suburbs. I try to avoid Chicago.
I lost my wallet and shit myself here.
Thank you for mentioning Chicago Stadium, perhaps you can do a video on her.
The tragedy that is Chicago Stadiums Demise is most don’t know she contained the worlds largest pipe organ.
From time to time i work at Navy Pier, May I suggest everyone attempts to walk all the way back and check out the magnificent grand ball room.
Truly stunning!
Gods speed and thanks for a positive video on a Chicago; the greatest city in the world
I remember Navy Pier from my youth. At one time there were US naval ships docked nearby. Mainly destroyers and some other similar sized vessels and they were always a treat to see. BTW dude, lose the hat.
From 1995 to about 2000 I lived on the 29th floor of a high-rise apartment building that overlooked Navy Pier. Only went to NP a handful of times. It was a tourist trap and really nothing to see or do except walk out to the very end of the pier for the view. The length was way too long and just getting to the site you had to walk very far. I usually road my bike out to the end. You were better off just walking up and down the lakefront area adjacent to Lake Shore Drive. It was safer as there were others there vs. NP where it was scary as not many people out there. I would never go to NP in the winter time which his much of the Chicago year. Sorry, but there are better things to do in Chicago than NP.
I was on the USS PARLE IN 1968.
You should do a story about the steel pier in Atlantic city
This is a very strange Food Wishes recipe video.
Great video! Nice and informative, well paced. At 10:15 there’s a Chinese Junk sailing along on Lake Michigan. There’s another story.
GREAT VIDEO! Love Chicago a lot and having visited some 12-14 times I find your videos are so interesting and educational.
We visited Navy Pier in 2006 when making our first tour to USA and making us then the 9.3 million and two visitors. Over the years we have regularly visited the Pier to have a look at various exhibitions, to see the Winter Wonder Land, to buy a bag of Garrett’s popcorn, but last time we visited, last Fall, we were disappointed as there weren’t much to see or do but instead there were (too) many fast food eateries.
PS. I’d love to hear about the various ethnic areas in Chicago – Ukraine Village, Chinatown, Andersonville, Greektown …
Actually, it was essentially abandoned for years.
It only opened again when various power brokers found ways to exploit it.
a great time back in the 80s was the powwows every year.
LOL, we’ll see how it does with another democrat summer of no cash bail kicking off. :-/
HOMELESS NEED A PLACE TOO//
13:42, what’s going on with the 3rd guy from the left during the rod demonstration, he seems to be paying special attention if you know what I mean.
With all the corrupt politicians running this city, and masses of people leaving the state Navy Pier could be forgotten about again!! Hopefully the people of Illinois get a clue and fight back!!!!!!!
As a long time Chicago area resident I remember when Navy pier was a run down industrial mess. Jane Byrn was the savior creating ChicagoFest and helping the renovations get started. I still visit with my family on our bikes. It is a Tourist Trap now, but the views of the lakefront and city are amazing. I do recommend taking a lakefront or architectural boat tour. The history of the lakefront and John Burnham’s vision is amazing.
My dad was part of the construction crew back when it was remodeled
33 hundred feet, huh?
nice photoshop job on the "Link Page"?
Now if the city it’s self can bounce back. We will do our best to avoid downtown Chicago until they can get a handle on the crime.
Went to a custom car show in approximately 1971 at Navy Pier. That place was huge then. The company I worked at for twenty four years held the company’s fiftieth anniversary in the grand ballroom. Can’t imagine what it cost being it was after the latest upgrade in the 1990’s!
Funnily enough the Navy never left, they moved farther north where Recruit Training Command and Naval Station Great Lakes are to this day
Ryan I was born in Chicago in 1958 and grew up in the suburbs. I have a love for Navy pier because I spent many happy hours there and have many wonderful memories.
As a kid, there was nothing better than going on that Ferris wheel.
Visited here for the first time a couple years ago, it was neat.
I was wearing a tank top, and a seagull shat on me. That was less neat.
In the 1970’s, Park District gymnastic meets were still held there…
I used to ride my bike back in 1982-83 from Fullerton and Pulaski, to Navy Pier, then down the lakefront all the way to Meigs field/McCormick place. The pier has sure changed since then. I wouldn’t ride my bike that route today, at least not without wearing a BP vest and a CC. Shame how scary Chicago has become today. TY Beetlejuice!
the building right of navy pier at @0:04 is the water treatment plant for the city. How do i know, I used to visit navy pier every weekend and one or two times i would sneak over there to look inside.
FANTASTIC history but currently, by in large Navy Pier is a tourist destination for people with children during the day and without their children at night. People from Chicago rarely visit. I live easy bike distance from the pier and only go with visitors from out of town…if they have never been before. As a tourist suggestion, train your children to stay near in crowded situations BEFORE visiting the pier or Chicago in general. The frantic parents screaming their child’s name isn’t pleasant for anyone and traumatic for the parent. In the evening there are bands playing outside and music from speakers. There are people exploring and crowds, much like Disney with many fewer rides. Unlike Disney, this is an open public space surrounded by Lake Michigan’s deep water. Many decent restaurants but be prepared to spend premium prices and longer waits for food. Even if you don’t normally eat at McDonald’s you will notice the prices. I can’t imagine how much their rent is.
You’re video is informative, but the music is distracting and annoying.
I must congratulate the foresight of the designers, to combine the shipping pier with a public space was genius. I’m glad to see after such a long storied history it has become what they envisioned.
On 2020 the City Of Chicago closed off ALL access to the pier and businesses to EVERYONE for Covid. You were arrested if you tried to even fish off Navy Pier
Can you please do a video on Godzilla bathtub, the water resovior under goose island. Not many people know but they should
one thing you omitted Navy Peir has been called ( and might still be ) the Midwest #1 tourist attraction
Wear your bullet proof vest .
Chicago fest rocked in the 1980’s on the pier. Despite it looking all ghetto. First time I saw a massive e set of lasers. They shot ’em across the lake. Said they could be seen on the other side. Good times!
casually slipping a "sears tower" in there. I love it. #searsforlife
Grew up in chicago and went to Navy Pier on various occasions. With the water treatment plant just north of it. You can even get to the beach paths not to far from it. There are bus lines that stop at NV if you don’t want to drive and park there. While it may be more of a tourist destination but you be surprised by how many locals actually go there. Even seen school buses of children go there at times. The tall ships event was a good time. With various restaurants and other entertainment to the Stained Glass Museum. The memories there are some of the best.
4:04 Chef John better come get his music back
They should have a Light Rail Trolley Line running into here and then along the Lakefront running to McCormick Place,Shedd Aquarium, Museum of Science and Industry the tracks then being alongside the METRA ELECTRIC and the SOUTH SHORE LINE.
Don’t forget the Submarine docked at Navy Pier. The USS Silversides, a Gato Class WWII submarine, docked at Navy Pier. She was decommissioned on 17 April 1946 and placed in reserve until 15 October 1947, when she was placed in service as a training ship for Naval Reservists at Chicago, Illinois. After a 1949 overhaul, she remained at Chicago in support of Naval Reserve training as a stationary training vessel for the rest of her service. In 1987, the submarine was moved to Muskegon, Michigan, to serve as the centerpiece of the new Great Lakes Naval Memorial & Museum. I took a tour of that sub while it was docked at Navy Pier.
Why have the voters of Chicago turned it into a toilet?