“Ten thousand spectators? For a bridge opening?” a surprised voice cut through the chatter of the tour group. Yes! You heard right. The Ashland Avenue Bridge opening was quite the spectacle. On August 20, 1936, this very bridge was unveiled to the public in grand style. A parade that stretched all the way from 69th Street marched towards the bridge, culminating in a dedication ceremony attended by a whopping 10,000 people. Imagine the excitement. The Ashland Avenue Bridge, you see, wasn’t just another bridge. This impressive structure, a double-leaf bascule bridge, was a symbol of progress and a key part of a $22 million project to transform Ashland Avenue into a “modern highway”. The cost of this marvel? A cool $1,713,000, with a significant portion funded by President Roosevelt’s Public Works Administration. Think of it, the same program that helped build the iconic Outer Drive Bridge, brought this bridge to life! Sadly, the bridge’s art deco tender houses, adorned with beautiful relief panels, show signs of neglect. Let’s hope they get the attention they deserve. They’re the last of their kind in Chicago, a reminder of the city’s rich architectural history.
Congregation Or Torah
Rabbi Zvi Engel’s leadership guides Congregation Or Torah. This impressive Modern Orthodox Synagogue stands proudly in Skokie Illinois. It’s one