pleasureboats lol
April 5, 2015 11:16 AM Subscribe
Footage of 1940s Chicago! The most American of American cities [article] and the wonder city of the middle west.
So, Chicago's great (really!), but it's only grounded and down-to-earth when compared to New York.
Chicago also shares with New York the problem of self-mythologizing, which appears to grow in proportion to actual working people being gradually priced out.
It's strange, it's like everyone in town is competing to say how much they loooove the city, and since there's some goddamn many people there, there's always someone who loves it just a little bit more.
Call it the Red Queen Hypothesis of Overpriced City Pride.
posted by leotrotsky at 12:37 PM on April 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
Chicago also shares with New York the problem of self-mythologizing, which appears to grow in proportion to actual working people being gradually priced out.
It's strange, it's like everyone in town is competing to say how much they loooove the city, and since there's some goddamn many people there, there's always someone who loves it just a little bit more.
Call it the Red Queen Hypothesis of Overpriced City Pride.
posted by leotrotsky at 12:37 PM on April 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
I live in Chicago and it is super affordable and omg i will fight u.
posted by phunniemee at 12:54 PM on April 5, 2015 [7 favorites]
posted by phunniemee at 12:54 PM on April 5, 2015 [7 favorites]
My granddad visited Chicago on his world tour in 1938 (I think it was). For the rest of his life, it was an inspiration - he saw a city where planning and social benefits were combined with capitalism in a way that was bountiful for all. I know it didn't end that way for Chicago, but it actually did end that way for the small town where grandpa brought his vision.
He always wanted me to go there, and I did, but I was so scared by the racism that I returned the same day I came. I guess I'll have to make a new attempt.
posted by mumimor at 12:59 PM on April 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
He always wanted me to go there, and I did, but I was so scared by the racism that I returned the same day I came. I guess I'll have to make a new attempt.
posted by mumimor at 12:59 PM on April 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
It's strange, it's like everyone in town is competing to say how much they loooove the city, and since there's some goddamn many people there, there's always someone who loves it just a little bit more.
I live in Chicago and it is super affordable and omg i will fight u.
I'm sure there are literally dozens of people on your very block who would fight much harder.
posted by leotrotsky at 1:06 PM on April 5, 2015
I live in Chicago and it is super affordable and omg i will fight u.
I'm sure there are literally dozens of people on your very block who would fight much harder.
posted by leotrotsky at 1:06 PM on April 5, 2015
I don't know why you think that people enjoying Chicago somehow makes it someplace "actual working" people (is that like a "real American?") can't live and this is kind of a weird argument to try to make on a post about how cool Chicago looked in the '40s.
posted by phunniemee at 1:13 PM on April 5, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by phunniemee at 1:13 PM on April 5, 2015 [2 favorites]
That isn't exactly what I was saying, but regardless...
I'm really not trying to have argument (or pick a fight) with anyone about the objective merits of Chicago as a city, I'm just lightly snarking around.
posted by leotrotsky at 1:27 PM on April 5, 2015
I'm really not trying to have argument (or pick a fight) with anyone about the objective merits of Chicago as a city, I'm just lightly snarking around.
posted by leotrotsky at 1:27 PM on April 5, 2015
Chicago is the BEST city and I would never leave willingly.
I don't care if you think it's uncool or misguided. I don't care if you think it's a competition (wtf? maybe people just really really love it here). Self-mythologizing? I have no fucks to give.
It took me many years of living on both coasts, in both small town and large city, before I found myself here. Chicago is a wonderful place to call home.
posted by Windigo at 2:10 PM on April 5, 2015 [5 favorites]
I don't care if you think it's uncool or misguided. I don't care if you think it's a competition (wtf? maybe people just really really love it here). Self-mythologizing? I have no fucks to give.
It took me many years of living on both coasts, in both small town and large city, before I found myself here. Chicago is a wonderful place to call home.
posted by Windigo at 2:10 PM on April 5, 2015 [5 favorites]
I'm not getting into any arguments about what's the best city, but I will say that I moved to Chicago 25 years ago and have no intention of ever leaving. And that's been the case of for a lot of people I know who moved here at about the same time I did. My cohort dispersed themselves across the country, and the ones who moved to Chicago and Seattle mostly stuck. The ones who went other places, well, a lot of them are still figuring out where they want to settle down. It seemed like half my friends moved to San Francisco, but not one is still in the bay area today.
Anyway, these have been fun to see. It's interesting how much has changed and how much has stayed the same. Also, how much of the change has happened since I've been here. Thanks for posting this.
posted by jaut at 2:29 PM on April 5, 2015 [2 favorites]
Anyway, these have been fun to see. It's interesting how much has changed and how much has stayed the same. Also, how much of the change has happened since I've been here. Thanks for posting this.
posted by jaut at 2:29 PM on April 5, 2015 [2 favorites]
It's always amazing to me how dirty the facades of all the buildings downtown were. The merchandise mart in the second film is blackened almost all the way up the sides. Ew.
posted by onehalfjunco at 7:58 PM on April 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by onehalfjunco at 7:58 PM on April 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
What makes Chicago great is how much it sucks in the winter.
posted by srboisvert at 9:56 PM on April 5, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by srboisvert at 9:56 PM on April 5, 2015 [2 favorites]
I've only been away about 9 months, and am still in the novelty phase of my emigration (the part where some days I go home and think to myself, "god, what a crap week at work...here in Europe, where I live! *squee*!"), but goddamn if those videos didn't make me homesick. I could really go for a bike ride on the lakefront path now, all the way down to the golf course... on a sunny day, passing by the beach at 31st (now that all the construction is done), stopping to get a blue slushie on my return ride... and of course a proper ball game at a proper ball park played by a proper ball team, on the South Side like the good lord intended... going over to Oak Street beach or over to Ladder 1 for a swim... 'scuse me, guys, I'm having a little moment here.
going to dry my tears with a stroopwafel, brb.
posted by sldownard at 11:27 PM on April 5, 2015 [8 favorites]
going to dry my tears with a stroopwafel, brb.
posted by sldownard at 11:27 PM on April 5, 2015 [8 favorites]
onehalfjunco: The Smoke Nuisance. The Newberry Library was cleaned in 1998, and I remember (but not exactly) when the Merchandise Mart was cleaned.
Incidentally, I can highly recommend the video that may come up in the recommendations if you watch either of these: Trip To/Through Chicago 1969, edited from some guy's Super 8 footage on a family trip in from Indiana. He's got a better eye than most home movie makers.
There are also two Facebook groups where movies like this are routinely posted: Forgotten Chicago (also a website) and The Living History of Chicago and Illinois. Both are superbly moderated so check the rules before posting.
posted by dhartung at 11:42 PM on April 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
Incidentally, I can highly recommend the video that may come up in the recommendations if you watch either of these: Trip To/Through Chicago 1969, edited from some guy's Super 8 footage on a family trip in from Indiana. He's got a better eye than most home movie makers.
There are also two Facebook groups where movies like this are routinely posted: Forgotten Chicago (also a website) and The Living History of Chicago and Illinois. Both are superbly moderated so check the rules before posting.
posted by dhartung at 11:42 PM on April 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
Fantastic movies. Chicago is such an amazing place.
posted by persona au gratin at 2:36 AM on April 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by persona au gratin at 2:36 AM on April 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
Not trying to threadshit, but I've lived in Chicago for about seven years now and I just. don't. get the love. I wish I did! It's the only major city I've ever lived: I've only visited NYC, Seattle, etc., but almost every other city I've visited seemed to have personality that Chicago doesn't. Chicago is more affordable than NYC, but seems to have a lot of the cons and few of the pros of a major city. When people say "I love Chicago!" I wish they'd be, like... super specific, because I want to believe.
I'm probably going to move as soon as I get the chance but I'm still holding out hope that I'll fall in love before that happens.
These videos are quite cool though, and I wish I lived in the city mumimor's grandfather loved. (Well, kind of-- I wish that city existed now.)
posted by stoneandstar at 11:22 AM on April 6, 2015
I'm probably going to move as soon as I get the chance but I'm still holding out hope that I'll fall in love before that happens.
These videos are quite cool though, and I wish I lived in the city mumimor's grandfather loved. (Well, kind of-- I wish that city existed now.)
posted by stoneandstar at 11:22 AM on April 6, 2015
I'm a downstater so I know my opinion is suspect, but I think Chicago tends to present its least friendly face to visitors (especially those arriving by car).
It's all crazy traffic, and one-way streets, and then you're in the loop and there's El support pillars in the middle of the road, and when you've parked and are walking around it's all grungy and desolate, and the wind off the lake is blowing soot through the stone canyons into your face....
But if you actually live there, like you own a house in Wrigleyville or Logan Square, and you know your way around your neighborhood -- it all can be very cozy. You can ride the subway downtown when you want to partake of high culture, or go to your local park for a community picnic. (At least in the summer. It's harsh in the winter when it's bitter cold and the dense buildings defeat the big sunny winter skies we enjoy downstate.)
Everyone I know who's moved to Chicago and settled down praises it highly; everyone who stayed downstate talks about their discomfort when they try to visit.
(I know this isn't really a helpful reply to stoneandstar, sorry; I'm interested to hear what Chicago fans have to say.)
posted by Harvey Kilobit at 12:44 PM on April 6, 2015
It's all crazy traffic, and one-way streets, and then you're in the loop and there's El support pillars in the middle of the road, and when you've parked and are walking around it's all grungy and desolate, and the wind off the lake is blowing soot through the stone canyons into your face....
But if you actually live there, like you own a house in Wrigleyville or Logan Square, and you know your way around your neighborhood -- it all can be very cozy. You can ride the subway downtown when you want to partake of high culture, or go to your local park for a community picnic. (At least in the summer. It's harsh in the winter when it's bitter cold and the dense buildings defeat the big sunny winter skies we enjoy downstate.)
Everyone I know who's moved to Chicago and settled down praises it highly; everyone who stayed downstate talks about their discomfort when they try to visit.
(I know this isn't really a helpful reply to stoneandstar, sorry; I'm interested to hear what Chicago fans have to say.)
posted by Harvey Kilobit at 12:44 PM on April 6, 2015
I'm just here to join phunniemee's motorcycle girl gang and crack heads. And talk about how my adopted hometown is gorgeous (even when it's filthy). I enjoyed the heck out of that footage!
posted by floweringjudas at 1:33 PM on April 6, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by floweringjudas at 1:33 PM on April 6, 2015 [2 favorites]
walking around it's all grungy and desolate, and the wind off the lake is blowing soot through the stone canyons into your face....
This is literally one of my favorite things about living here. Along with the constant noise.
posted by phunniemee at 2:54 PM on April 6, 2015 [3 favorites]
This is literally one of my favorite things about living here. Along with the constant noise.
posted by phunniemee at 2:54 PM on April 6, 2015 [3 favorites]
Dear god, why would you *drive* in Chicago?
posted by crush-onastick at 2:58 PM on April 6, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by crush-onastick at 2:58 PM on April 6, 2015 [2 favorites]
I love the old-timey cadence of the narration in these kinds of films. Like dude, why are you yelling at me by the end of every paragraph?
And here we see the magnificent Lincoln Park largest of all the Chicago parks and Chicago has many beautiful parks demonSTRATING THE CITY'S ELEGANCE AND SPLENDOR AND ALL SHALL TREMBLE BEFORE ITS INDUSTRIOUSNESS AND POWER.
But anyway Chicago is rad and yeah the shitty winters *are* part of why it's rad. Because if we had gorgeous San Francisco weather all year we'd also have actually outside of the reach of normal people San Francisco housing prices and probably since we're less geography-constrained, Houston or Atlanta sprawl and traffic and smog, too. (Not that we don't have traffic, but our public transit can at least somewhat keep up and keep things under control. Add too many people and the whole system would break down.) See every single "I am looking for a city to live that has culture and people and public transit and great weather year-round and is affordable" AskMe ever posted.
posted by misskaz at 3:51 PM on April 6, 2015 [3 favorites]
And here we see the magnificent Lincoln Park largest of all the Chicago parks and Chicago has many beautiful parks demonSTRATING THE CITY'S ELEGANCE AND SPLENDOR AND ALL SHALL TREMBLE BEFORE ITS INDUSTRIOUSNESS AND POWER.
But anyway Chicago is rad and yeah the shitty winters *are* part of why it's rad. Because if we had gorgeous San Francisco weather all year we'd also have actually outside of the reach of normal people San Francisco housing prices and probably since we're less geography-constrained, Houston or Atlanta sprawl and traffic and smog, too. (Not that we don't have traffic, but our public transit can at least somewhat keep up and keep things under control. Add too many people and the whole system would break down.) See every single "I am looking for a city to live that has culture and people and public transit and great weather year-round and is affordable" AskMe ever posted.
posted by misskaz at 3:51 PM on April 6, 2015 [3 favorites]
By the power of GOOGLE EARTH i command you to pause the first link in the FPP at 1:02, then to open this link in another tab
posted by tivalasvegas at 2:42 AM on April 7, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by tivalasvegas at 2:42 AM on April 7, 2015 [1 favorite]
Chicago is more affordable than NYC, but seems to have a lot of the cons and few of the pros of a major city. When people say "I love Chicago!" I wish they'd be, like... super specific, because I want to believe.
See, when I hear people talk about NYC I always think, "Oh my god, I am so glad I live in Chicago. All the pros, so few of the cons..."
Well, it's affordable to live here AND you get a good bang for your buck in terms of apartment size.
Every band you want to see? Comes through Chicago. World-class museums of every ilk? We got 'em. You like to eat out? Chicago takes its dining very seriously, we do not mess around.
You like parks? We have over 570 and Chicago has the distinction of spending the most per capita on its parks. That's not even touching the miles of beaches along the lakefront. You like to bike? This is a city of cyclists. Public transit! We have that! No need for a car. Driving can be a pain, sure, but nothing like trying to drive on the East coast.
The winter can be brutal but oh my god the summers and autumns are truly glorious. Block parties! Farmers markets! Festivals! Free outdoor concerts! We pretty much live outdoors in the summer.
People here are friendly. You move here and you're going to make friends as long as you put yourself out there. I have heard people say we're unfriendly, but I always wonder who they're talking to? We are not as easy-going as west coasters, perhaps. But we are not as rush-rush don't waste my time as NYC folk, either.
We have the prettiest skyline.
posted by Windigo at 8:23 AM on April 7, 2015 [1 favorite]
See, when I hear people talk about NYC I always think, "Oh my god, I am so glad I live in Chicago. All the pros, so few of the cons..."
Well, it's affordable to live here AND you get a good bang for your buck in terms of apartment size.
Every band you want to see? Comes through Chicago. World-class museums of every ilk? We got 'em. You like to eat out? Chicago takes its dining very seriously, we do not mess around.
You like parks? We have over 570 and Chicago has the distinction of spending the most per capita on its parks. That's not even touching the miles of beaches along the lakefront. You like to bike? This is a city of cyclists. Public transit! We have that! No need for a car. Driving can be a pain, sure, but nothing like trying to drive on the East coast.
The winter can be brutal but oh my god the summers and autumns are truly glorious. Block parties! Farmers markets! Festivals! Free outdoor concerts! We pretty much live outdoors in the summer.
People here are friendly. You move here and you're going to make friends as long as you put yourself out there. I have heard people say we're unfriendly, but I always wonder who they're talking to? We are not as easy-going as west coasters, perhaps. But we are not as rush-rush don't waste my time as NYC folk, either.
We have the prettiest skyline.
posted by Windigo at 8:23 AM on April 7, 2015 [1 favorite]
Also, we don't stink, like NYC. Our sidewalks are completely free of bags of putrid waste! We are a lovely-smelling city!
posted by Windigo at 8:25 AM on April 7, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Windigo at 8:25 AM on April 7, 2015 [1 favorite]
LAST ONE
We're the most generous tippers out of any major US city.
Really, that right there says it all.
posted by Windigo at 8:27 AM on April 7, 2015 [2 favorites]
We're the most generous tippers out of any major US city.
Really, that right there says it all.
posted by Windigo at 8:27 AM on April 7, 2015 [2 favorites]
Haha I like the Chicago love. But as someone from MN, Chicago is just so damn unfriendly to me. Both the West Coast and NYC felt a lot more human/humane, somehow. Like NYC was violently human but in Chicago I feel a bit isolated. No nicey-nice vibe, no in-your-face WE'RE HUMAN vibe.
posted by easter queen at 2:50 PM on April 7, 2015
posted by easter queen at 2:50 PM on April 7, 2015
I think a lot of visitors to Chicago are basing the city on their experiences of the people downtown, in the Loop.
Which are all tourists or people just trying to get from/to their job.
posted by Windigo at 8:01 AM on April 9, 2015
Which are all tourists or people just trying to get from/to their job.
posted by Windigo at 8:01 AM on April 9, 2015
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I'm willing to believe it.
posted by BWA at 11:43 AM on April 5, 2015