WTTW News Explains: How Did Chicago Get Its Shape?
Clip: 3/3/2023 | 2m 32sVideo has Closed Captions
Saturday marks the 186th anniversary of Chicago’s founding as a city.
Here’s a look at how a once small-but-mighty city gobbled up surrounding land to become the City of the Big Shoulders (and expanded borders) that we know and love today.
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Chicago Tonight is a local public television program presented by WTTW
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WTTW News Explains: How Did Chicago Get Its Shape?
Clip: 3/3/2023 | 2m 32sVideo has Closed Captions
Here’s a look at how a once small-but-mighty city gobbled up surrounding land to become the City of the Big Shoulders (and expanded borders) that we know and love today.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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In this Emmy Award-winning series, WTTW News tackles your questions — big and small — about life in the Chicago area. Our video animations guide you through local government, city history, public utilities and everything in between.Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship>>> HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHICAGO!
HAPPY EARLY BIRTHDAY, ANYWAY.
WE HAVE THE STORY OF HOW I ONCE SMALL BUT MIGHTY CITY GOBBLED UP SURROUNDING LANDS TO BECOME THE CITY WE KNOW AND LOVE TODAY.
>> MARCH 4, 1837, CHICAGO WAS A CITY OF JUST 10 SQUARE MILES.
THE ORIGINAL BORDERS WERE TIGHT.
WOULD SUITE, WOOD STREET AND 22nd STREET TO NORTH AVENUE.
HOW DID THE CITY GET SO BIG?
STARTING IN THE 1850S, CHICAGO BEGAN SWALLOWING UP SURROUNDING LANDS.
NOT IN A CONQUEST, BUT MOSTLY THROUGH THE PROCESS OF ANNEXATION.
SUBURBAN RESIDENTS VOTED TO BECOME CITY DWELLERS.
TOWNSHIPS GOT MORE MUNICIPAL SERVICES IN THE CITY GOT TO EXPAND.
THE BIGGEST BLOCK OF ANNEXATION HAPPENED IN 1889 AHEAD OF THE COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION.
HYDE PARK , LAKE AND LAKEVIEW VOTED TO JOIN CHICAGO BRINGING A WHOPPING 125 SQUARE MILES AND MORE THAN 200,000 RESIDENTS.
ANNEXATION WASN'T ALWAYS SMOOTH SAILING.
MORGAN PARK'S ANNEXATION VOTE OVERWHELMINGLY FAVORED BY WOMEN VOTERS WAS HELD UP IN COURT FOR THREE YEARS.
AND, THE ISLAND OF NORTHWEST SUBURBS STAYED AUTONOMOUS.
AFTER DECADES , CHICAGO SLOWED ITS ROLE.
THE CITY STARTED RUNNING INTO SUBURBS WITH WELL EYED, WELL-ESTABLISHED IDENTITIES OF THEIR OWN.
THE LAST EXPANSION WAS IN 1956 WHEN CHICAGO TOOK OVER THE LAND AT O'HARE AIRPORT.
SO, THAT'S THE STORY
How State Police Are Addressing Gun Violence on Expressways
Video has Closed Captions
Clip: 3/3/2023 | 7m 47s | Shootings on Illinois expressways decreased by 47% from 2021 to 2022. (7m 47s)
Plan to Bust Drivers Parked in Chicago Bike Lanes Advances
Video has Closed Captions
Clip: 3/3/2023 | 3m 18s | A City Council committee approved a new measure aimed at keeping bike and bus lanes clear. (3m 18s)
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