Chicago's Forgotten Island

[@ITSHISTORY]

To start comparing quotes and simplify insurance buying, check out Policygenius: Policygenius.com/itshistory. Thanks to Policygenius for sponsoring this video!

[@laurenmcelrath896]

You have a obsessive like fascination for Chicago history and I love it. I wish some of yourvideos were longer to binge can you make a video going into detail about the Cabrini greens history more specifically the sniper field as they called it

[@Terinije]

The physical Goose Island is pretty well-known nowadays thanks to the beer of the same name.

[@jovonne529]

Ryan, you definitely need to do the video about Ogden Ave. It was a fascinating street, and I even remember traveling on that viaduct in 1992 before it closed. The fact that Ogden used to go all the way to Clark and Armitage is unknown to most people who are under 60 years old. Bits and pieces of it just kept disappearing over the years, and by the time I was a teenager, it stopped at North Ave. and Larrabee. Now, of course, it stops just north of Chicago Ave. There used to be a building on Goose Island that even had an Ogden Ave. address (1060 N. Ogden, I believe) with their main entrance on the second or third floor that could only be accessed from the Ogden Ave. viaduct. If I recall correctly, it was the main office of the Pickens-Kane Moving and Storage company. It's also untrue that you couldn't access Goose Island from the viaduct. There was a ramp/exit at Hickory St. that was added after the original construction in order to provide easy access to and from Goose Island from the I-90/94 expressway. The Hickory St. ramp was mostly used for truck and freight traffic, but it certainly was available for use by anyone and I used it many times as a shortcut. The gunshots from Cabrini-Green were real though. The Ogden viaduct would pass directly by the housing project at about 50 feet in the air and most people avoided the viaduct for that reason, especially during the 1970s. Great videos, Ryan, and keep up the great work.

[@jbizz80]

The movies Cooley High and Opportunity Knocks have scenes that show the Ogden viaduct in GREAT detail from the top of the bridge, right at the Halsted/Division intersection. There's also a car chase scene in Adventres in Babysitting on the viaduct near the same spot. We used to take the Division bus going west to shop on Milwaukee Avenue and we'd pass under the viaduct.

[@jovonne529]

@@jbizz80 I remember the viaduct in Cooley High, but I've never seen the other two movies. I'll have to check them out. Thanks for contributing some more first-hand history of Ogden Ave. These days, whenever I go by Division and Halsted it always looks weird without the viaduct and the Phillips Towing. Kind of similar to Grand and Central now without the viaduct running over Grand Ave. or State St. without Roosevelt running overhead. Great memories!

[@DjSmokeMixtapes]

Thanks for the history lesson. I like to learn about things like this in the city.

[@eunitskates]

There was railroad activity on the Island through the end of 2017. They stored empty cars there, which became a target of complaints of the quickly gentrifying area.

[@USMCasper]

How much does the land cost now? Here they moved the homeless shelter and kicked out all the homeowners. Now the property that sold for 45k now sells for a cool 500k. Other neighborhoods have now lost value and have to deal with the crime increase brought on by the transients. Progress by their standards.

[@MN12warbird]

I worked in the area 05 06 07 08

[@mar4kl]

Another part of Chicago that warrants your attention, IMO, is Elston Avenue. It runs from Milwaukee Avenue in the West Town neighborhood, right near Goose Island, basically following the river until Belmont Street, and continuing northwest until it ends at Milwaukee Avenue (again!) in the Norwood Park neighborhood. It used to be a mainly industrial thoroughfare, with streetcar, later converted to trolleybus and then regular buses, shuttling people to and from work. As the factories in the city declined, the street began to decay, and bus service was discontinued in the early 1970s. Not long after I moved to Chicago, Elston Avenue was selected to receive one of Chicago's earliest bike lanes, and it has been one of the city's cycling thoroughfares ever since. Over the last 20 years or so, Elston Avenue has been making a comeback, with new businesses and even some residential segments springing up. Still no transit service, although the buses that run along the cross streets generally stop at Elston. I have yet to find its history documented, but I bet it's fascinating.

[@cocoaorange1]

Back in 2012, I have to walk down Slaton St to go to a store. It was a little daunting since lighting is very poor at night. I sensed it was once an industrial area.

[@bevrosity]

used to live on elston near the abbey pub

[@neilstern7108]

Elston, where you get your license.

[@ChristopherBalza]

Thank you for sharing this video! I'm an Irish-American who is a graduate of Kendall College, which was located at the southeast tip of the island. Prior to Kendall, it was a Sara Lee factory that my great-aunt would often visit, so I take pride in my connections to this tiny island. I miss seeing the train cars parked in the middle of the streets, it gave the area that old industrial vibe which I love about Chicago. Being here for almost two decades I've watched the island transform from an area you didn't necessarily want to be (due to Cabrini Green and other factors), to a thriving corridor. Thank you for bringing back some wonderful memories and sharing the history of our little island. Cheers!

[@WAL_DC-6B]

I was employed as a locomotive engineer for the Soo Line Railroad and in the late 1990s I worked the job that switched out freight cars on Goose Island. There were a few areas in and around the island where our tracks were in the streets. Sometimes people would park their automobile over these rails thinking to themselves, "trains never go around here anymore." The conductor had a company provided cell phone and would call a local towing company to remove the vehicle blocking our right-of-way. It was amazing how fast they'd come out and tow it off the tracks to their impound yard.

[@AMTK90200]

Yep, and that right of way later became part of the Chicago Terminal Railroad before being abandoned.

[@InflatablePlane]

I can’t get enough of Chicago’s industrial history. What an interesting city. And as one friend who lived there called it: “an architect’s playground”

[@Dunavitzki]

Yeah? I think about all the lives worn down to the bone, chewed up and spit out.

[@dragon81heart]

Pittsburgh is another city that has an amazing history, with some parts of its incredible industrial history remaining, with other parts of it completely changed (such as the point downtown) With its geographic location, the bridges and tunnels that make it unlike any other city, and even canals before the railroads, Pittsburgh is one of the most interesting and historical significant cities in the history of the US

[@tonyhuynh309]

I'm a local and this is yhe dumbest video ever. Wrigley and Morton salt are both on it as well as mcgrath lexus. Soon to be a casino. Goose island brew isn't famous

[@talbotd27]

I feel exactly the same. Living in a small town in Northwest Indiana my whole life, there was such a sense of wonder and excitement taking trips to Chicago growing up. I’d have so many questions about how and why certain things were the way they were. History tells us everything. What it is and why it it’s there, that’s why I live history so much. It answers every question that even my parents didn’t know

[@DevinNixonDavis]

@@Dunavitzki me too. The labor history

[@coreybenson3122]

I use to work here as well! At the old Mercedes Benz of Chicago service center. It’s now an Acura dealer. The roof has a killer view of the city. It’s alive and well, thriving with industry. Warehouses, car dealers, and Greyhound’s central repair facility. I encourage everyone to get the frog legs at Goose Island Shrimp House. And get a picture of yourself at the Hooker Street sign lol.

[@marcelino.i.v]

North side right there making a new neighborhood there called Lincoln yards

[@boataxe4605]

The Greyhound facility is about to come down and be replaced by a residential high rise.

[@coreybenson3122]

@@boataxe4605 yep. It’s in Pilsen near the Costco now.

[@micheleparker3780]

😂

[@geedavia1785]

I remember riding Ogden ave as a shortcut as a child. We got off around North Ave. I remember taking the Division street bus going through Cabrini Green. I remember Finkl Steel in Lincoln Park. I remember the Horween Leather Company off Ashland Ave. I worked at Dr. Scholl's factory in Old town. I think the leather factory is the last of the Mohicans...

[@Lurch685]

I used to work at the FedEx hub on goose island. The daily commute from the O’Hare area was a pain in the ass, but the view was great.

[@brandonvenditti]

I worked security there.

[@Lurch685]

@@brandonvenditti so did I!

[@a.urbanchuk513]

I grew up in Chicago and all my life my father called it goose island and as a young child I would ask why and he would just look down at me and say because of all of the little ones and give me a kiss. Loved your Channel. Thanks

[@h.mandelene3279]

@19:17 Actually that RR was "Milwaukee Road" and turned west crossing the river. The Island was is terminus yard. The yard, if u follow the abaondoned route west, it's now in Bensenville(or is that Franklin Park??), on the Southside of O'Hare Airport. Also, the path you did follow runs further north. It runs(ran) next to Wrigley Field. Many streets still have the tracks. You can see many cockeyed positioned homes where the track used to run.

[@0fficialdregs]

GOOSE ISLAND!!! Home to the best deep fried jumbo shrimp!!

[@boataxe4605]

Absolutely!

[@mikeb9830jpchi]

I'm glad you referenced the Forgotten Chicago article on Ogden Avenue. (Possible misspelling of Ogden earlier in the episode, or maybe that was the Navy Pier episode) Losing Ogden to time and the decay of Goose Island is a sorry state for people trying to access the Lake Shore in modern times.

[@MulahVeli]

Awe that’s where that beer came from lol I been on goose island a few time but I never knew I just thought it was a bridge

[@roberthuron9160]

For a suggestion,and a multi-part series,how about the histories of the Chicago Surface Lines(CSL),and the Chicago Rapid Transit(CRT),as both take up at least a century of operations! There are also tie-ins to London,and Boston,and other points! Thankfully there are books,put out by the Central Electric Railfans Association,and other writers,covering the history of those operators! Thank you for an interesting historical overview,mayhaps there were a few relatives of mine,in that great Irish movement 👍! Thank you 😇! 😇

[@rarecandy3445]

that kinzie st. bridge is an excellent spot for photographers

[@TurtleDude05]

I didn't even know this existed. That's so interesting.

[@pinky5097]

Me either and I'm from Chicago.

[@peterrezba995]

Thanks I had no idea Chicago had an Island

[@hbsoltpk]

It’s not forgotten. Kendall College is there now

[@torrez74]

Your videos are fantastic!!! If you ever do a video on the Ogden viaduct please include how Ogden use to extend to Clark. I have walked this route several times and like you said it’s strange to think this major artery just vanished but there are still remains from it. Also please include the 3rd floor door in the Pickens Kane building (1000 Ogden) crazy.

[@Taterfried]

I lived on north ave and elston directly next to Stanley's which was right in this area. I loved walking over to goose island. This area was so awesome before they started sanitizing it and building more condos.

[@spuds6423]

And now Anhauser Busch owns Goose Island brewery but most of the beer made for retail is produced in Baldwinsville NY. Everything new AB comes out with ii is made in B'ville! 🤔😁

[@ycthedon1]

Goose Island is still productive and working💪🏽💪🏽‼️ Come visit The Island Recording Studio right by Goose Island Shrimp. The best Shrimp and Studio in Chicago ✅

[@stephenshaw7593]

Technically the entire North Side and suburbs up to Evanston are an island.

[@boataxe4605]

Very true!

[@Big_Sierra]

By that logic, so is the entire US east of the Mississippi..

[@97tavito]

I'm watching this video on Goose Island right now.

[@foureyedchick]

I heard of Goose Island beer. It is talked a bout constantly on tv and radio.

[@snoopy5736]

IPA

[@foureyedchick]

@@snoopy5736 Hang on Snoopy, Snoopy hang on...

[@gregoryleo4640]

@@snoopy5736 IPA what?

[@snoopy5736]

@@gregoryleo4640 India pale ale is the type of beer

[@giselematthews7949]

Just LOVE your videos

[@LuckyGuessGarage]

I'm definitely one of the people that visited Goose Island without knowing it. About 10 or so years ago there was alot of demolition work being done there and I delivered materials to the demo workers.

[@JR-gh8lp]

Imagine a park in that island!

[@imperialmotoring3789]

Sad the Goose Island Beer Company sold out to Budweiser. I will never again drink it.

[@MrChuckGrape]

I know of this island because it was mentioned at the end of some Wesley Willis songs.

[@zeke2095]

i had to beat a guy up to get a key to this island

[@RLJSlick]

Excellent work! If you ever get a chance, you should stop by The Mouse Trap, right across the river. Off Color taproom!

[@Allenryan819]

Goose island is very similar to Randall’s island here in New York.

[@mattcrusher1180]

MAKE GENERAL IRON GREAT AGAIN ! in memory of Mr. Nathan Rosemutter

[@aurinator]

Hah, sounds like you said "brought a 5hit-load of these," but I suspect it was "a ship-load."

[@M1General]

Also full of craft beer lol

[@rogerpenske2411]

It’s Cabrini Green with a B not a P

[@EVUUL]

People's Gas is still called People's Gas

[@devoradamaris]

🕊🌎🕊🕊🫂

[@Backroad_Junkie]

What? You mean Goose Island Brewery isn't a world wide known brand? Lol... If you haven't done it, maybe a video of Meigs field and it's sudden demise. While you're there, there's Soldier Field (and why Chicago is losing the Bears in 2034) and the Museum Campus. Maybe you can throw in a little bit of why the George Lucas museum is in San Francisco. That should fill 20 minutes!

[@mitchbart4225]

San Francisco didn't get the Lucas Museum either. It's currently being constructed in Exposition Park in LA, next to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

[@Backroad_Junkie]

@@mitchbart4225 Lol, I didn't know that. I lost track soon after Chicago stupidly refused the deal...

[@Inatehigger113]

goose island beer

[@ramonalmanza6201]

I lived around that area, by north Ave and bosworth, always jogged by that area now its all rich people.. you can't walk by there because they will look at you like you don't belong

[@jamaalsanchez6982]

Seeing how European immigrants assimilate and build better in just 2 generations makes me wonder why those of a different bloodline can't

[@jakepophal985]

Who are you referring to?

[@Big_Sierra]

It definitely makes you wonder.

[@jamaalsanchez6982]

@@Big_Sierra Yeah, people of non European blood can't build civilizations. As we've seen with the tribal people, africans, hispanics, arabs, etc.

[@mikeseier4449]

So that’s how and why we’ve got so many drunken Micks here,!

[@daniellinehan63]

No, they built the I & M canal putting Chicago on the map

[@Dizzy206]

Chicago is my favorite city when it comes to architecture. Wish Seattle could even come close.

[@Bojangles5-2]

Sir, I just watched this on the TV and logged in here to say thank you for this superb video! It combines two of my favorites, history and Chicago. This is a fantastic, informative and entertaining, providing all of us with much more, great history of Chicago than we knew before. Thank you for this! Subscribed!

[@rogerpenske2411]

Another great Chicago story about Goose Island. There is a Chicago delicacy besides pizza and hotdogs and pork chops and steak in Chicago; breaded fried shrimp. That’s right, breaded fried shrimp. There are shrimp shacks all over the place in Chicago, particularly near the Chicago River. Where the Blues Brothers flew over the bridge that was opening in the movie The Blues Brothers, that is the 95th St. bridge. There is a shrimp shack that you can see through the passenger side window just before Ellwood hits the gas!Division St., runs from the lake and crosses over Goose Island. And there is a joint and division Street called Goose Island Shrimp, And yes, I’ve eaten there a bunch of times

[@SupernovaX72]

Yessss Goose Island shrimp I used to go there alot with my friends and it was amazing. The shrimp were huge. This was in the 90s though and havnt been there since. Once we got turned around and ended up in Cabrini green and the police pulled us over and made us leave 😆😆oops

[@boataxe4605]

Yep! It’s the best shrimp in Chicago!

[@boataxe4605]

@@SupernovaX72 It’s still there and it’s still great!

[@WAL_DC-6B]

Isn't that fish/shrimp take-out restaurant located on Courtland Ave?

[@boataxe4605]

@@WAL_DC-6B No, there used to be one on Cortland but it closed down about 20 years ago.

[@boataxe4605]

It’s far from “forgotten”many tour boats point it out everyday, and it’s about to undergo a major redevelopment. Also, being man made it’s not “mysterious” since there is no question of how it got there. PS If you want some great shrimp go to Goose Island shrimp house on Division,it’s a carry out only dive with the best deep fried breaded shrimp you’ll ever have.

[@m.e.5482]

95th st. CALUMET fish would beg 2 differ lol

[@rikijett310]

Jones Island in Milwaukee would be interesting history. Also, how Chicago dug the canal to Lake Michigan reversing the flow of the Chicago River would be interesting. It seems Chicago dumps their sewage into the canal sending it downriver for others to enjoy and deal with. Chicago $hit coming through!!!!

[@KatoOnTheTrack1]

Yes, I’m there all the time taking in the views of the old elevators and taking video of UP operations.

[@rikijett310]

@@KatoOnTheTrack1 sounds pretty awesome!!

[@boataxe4605]

You’ve heard of the Big Bang theory? Well we call that The big flush theory!

[@kelseyxx9754]

I worked on goose island about 2 years ago. It’s not vacant it is filled with warehouses

[@ZatchPatch]

It is funny hearing Plainfield being mentioned since it is now a sizeable suburb but when I first moved there it was still essentially farmland.

[@m.e.5482]

Plainfield has seriously blew up, even in da last 10 years.

[@xpress144]

Great video Ry. Definitely do something with Odgen- and possibly Mud Lake- and the Indian Trade from WAY BACK. Work the Des Plaines River in if possible. :)

[@Philtration]

I grew up near Gosse Island in the 1960s when I lived by North and Ashland and saw the area change many times over the years. From the disappearance of the giant gasometer tanks and the Ogden Viaduct, to the closing of the Meister Brau brewery to the replacement of the 100 year old North Ave. bascule bridge. No matter where I have lived since those days I still think of the the Wicker Park to Goose Island part of Chicago as "home".

[@mmrw]

So interesting. I’m from New York and the whole thing reminds me a lot of the Gowanus Canal area in Brooklyn, from the early immigrant groups to the later booming industry and pollution and even that it’s kind of both natural and man made, as the canal was built where there used to be a natural creek

[@mostmost1]

I rode the Division bus to school in the early 90s. That bridge was like a roller coaster back then. The women loved the bounce.

[@TheLepke2011]

I'm from Chicago and all I knew of Goose Island is that it's really good beer.

[@snoopy5736]

My favorite is the 312

[@imperialmotoring3789]

Owned by Budweiser now so I will never drink it again. Half Acre is better and still independent!

[@rogerweiland6384]

Changing landmark names has always made me crazy. It's still the Sears tower, Comisky is still Comisky. Money does not buy prominance. Imagine trying this with Wrigley field. They tried tearing down the landmark and keeping the name with Soldier field, this also does not work.

[@devonspain620]

We have a beer after the name its not forgotten lol

[@ccskiandrun]

You should look into Nicollet Island in Minneapolis. Could be a cool story too.

[@mayosmith888]

Goose Island Shrimp🦐🔥🔥

[@jeffbransky7966]

Although the RR bridge at the north end of Goose Island looks like a lift bridge at first glance, it is actually a swing bridge that pivots at the north end. The huge concrete counterweight balances the load of the span. There were other RR bridges that pivoted at one end in Chicago, one which still exists, but it is parked on the east bank of the North Branch of the River a block south of Cortland Street.

[@WalterKiefer]

Glad you mentioned this one! That is the last remaining asymmetric swing bridge left in Chicago, built by the Chicago, Milwaukee, & St. Paul railroad. There's a neat plaque describing its construction on North Ave.

[@boataxe4605]

Yes,that was referred to as “The old man’s bridge” because the tender,an old man,would have to come out and manually unlock it to open it. It was in use serving a scrap metal yard until a few years ago when the yard was forced out of business by the city.

[@Ddrhodes123]

These are actually called Bascule bridges. A swing bridge pivots side to side while a Bascule pivots up. This is a single leaf while the downtown bridges are double leaf. Chicago is famous for having so many Bascule bridges.

[@StevenKluber]

Would Daley have destroyed a goose island airport under cover of darkness?

[@earldooshbag7446]

The street is called Kinzie, not Kenzie.

[@stevenzwolinski3047]

Cool video, love my country history, although never been chi town, someday maybe

[@donaldblair1982]

Very nice! A totally forgotten place and history in Chicago. Thank you!

[@jaimep3432]

Every chicagoan knows about goose island.

[@ticklemetango]

I like the balance between the VO and music intro much better on this one, nice work!

[@heated817]

Clearly this video is not made by a Chicagoan. Everyone I know knows goose island is an island and knows where it is. Hell we have a famous beer company named after it. this island is no secret and its not forgotten lmaooo

[@JerryHunt92]

I’m a year late but THANK YOU 😂

[@xochiltepetzalailhuicamina2322]

Have you done a video on the Chicago Portage? It made Chicago literally.

[@haskelldarascal3479]

Former Greyhound mechanic here, greyhound is no longer at the location shown in this video as of January 2023, the property was sold back in 2017 (for a cool $50M) and they've only just now moved out. Soon it'll be torn down and made into condos or something. Yet another part of industry going away

[@billping2633]

It also used to be known for drugs getting a hooker and people falling into the river dead or alive. That was in the 1990s.

[@eddiekulp1241]

Unique story , an island invented by a shortcut canal . But who cares. The geese are long gone

[@LatinaChef1986]

Also, Kendall College moved in 2004 to Goose Island from Evanston.

[@2380Shaw]

I haven't heard of Goose Island until I bought and tried Goose Island beer

[@mikeb9830jpchi]

20:22 Where are we looking? it looks more like Calumet Harbor?

[@MyLifePixeled]

I would love to see some videos about Louisville.

[@antonioperez2623]

I never knew either even though I was born and raised in Chicago.

[@rocktech7144]

Cabrini O Green was in exsistance until the early 2000s. The final building being demolished sometime around 2005.

[@mikeschroeder8356]

Ogden vid plz

[@drjekelmrhyde]

I am allergic to fish and shellfish, but I knew about Goose Island from the Goose Island Shrimp House way longer than I knew about the beer.

[@mattymatt6970]

Seems like a stretch to say only 1% of Chicagoans know about its existence. I've known about it for years. I visited once by myself and noticed it right away. It's also easily visible and labeled on Google maps.

[@micheleparker3780]

Lived here all my life; always heard about Goose Island but couldn't have told you you where it was or what it was -- thank you!!😁

[@andrewmurray9391]

I'm officially associated with life insurance commercials and nostalgia memes. I'm this old.

[@lildurpy]

🦆🦆🦆🦢🦢🦢

[@paulbaciu2494]

So funny. I’ve been delivering oil at the restaurant depo on hickory there and had no idea 😂

[@chicagorobb3956]

I think the opening scene to the first “Chucky” movie was filmed there

[@davidrennie7872]

Love your channel. Nothing else to say but just wanted to let you know I look forward to each new video.

[@mariaofarrell7tsavororite12-7]

Give it back to the Geese, water plants and other that clean the water and feed geese and birds.

[@brucebasile5083]

The Roseland -Pullman area would make a good video.

[@TheMrPeteChannel]

So the bridges no longer open? No more river traffic?

[@markshietze4783]

it's been over ten years now , but do they still do the Scrap Metals Recycling along there ? ... like , east of Home Depot and north & east of the Cable TV office building

[@crabtonia]

Another intriguing insight concerning my favourite US City...thank you once again...dgp/uk

[@GeographRick]

I thought the original Goose Island was on the north side of the confluence of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan.

[@trueword247]

7:15 interesting history. but Ogden is spelled O-g-d-e-n, not "ogdeon"

[@tomfurie2996]

Most Chicagoans have had Goose Island Beer. I remember visiting the brewery in the 90’son a bar crawl.

[@MN12warbird]

I keep the tradition alive of that part of land being a lawless area. Those tracks are the starting line... they put speed bumps down because of us

[@davidgrenis638]

MY FATHER WHO WAS BORN IN 1915 ANYWAYS WORKED ON GOOSE ISLAND DURING THE GREAT DEPRESSION FIRST PULLING HIDES AND THEN LATER WORKING IN LEATHER PLANT STARTING ORIGINALLY AT 25 CENTS PER HOUR AND I BELIEVE HE SAID TWELVE HOURS A DAY HIS NAME WAS BRUNO GRENIS DAVID ADAM GRENIS MAPLETON AVENUE BOULDER COLORADO