The historic Chicago Surface Line (:16) presents this silent travelogue of Chicago. The CSL was a predecessor to today’s publicly-owned operator the Chicago Transit Authority, operated from 1913 to 1947. Transit in the bustling windy city began with horse cars of the Chicago City Railway Company and the North Chicago City Railway Company between 1858 and 1861. Cable cars arrived on scene into the 1880’s.

The title screen swings in over an aerial shot of the city (:46). This is a Monarch Educational Picture (:59) created to take viewers on a tour through the expansive city of Chicago. Quin Ryan narrates (1:07). The camera crawls over prickling skyscrapers (1:30). The Chicago River cuts through the city (1:55); forty miles north of the lower loop running south to the calumet river system. A helicopter view of Soldier Field Stadium (1:57) follows. Chicago City bridges unfold over the river (2:29). Traffic runs through (2:46) cloudy streets below. The white building of the Wrigley Building stands on North Michigan Avenue (3:16). This stunning structure was completed in September of 1921. The Tribune Tower (3:21); erected in 1923 stands in neo-Gothic architecture. The camera view pans up to the American flag tacked on top (3:33). A street view watches pedestrians and cars crisscrossing about (3:39). The old Chicago Public Library (3:46). A massive parking garage follows at To Riverside Plaza (4:21). Chicagoans pass a lion statues on the street (4:46). Buckingham fountain springs up in the center of Grant Park (5:11). Shots run over downtown Chicago (5:57) and the Chicago Board of Trade (6:43). A shuttle bus crosses the street way (7:06). Busy pedestrian in straw hats (7:26) bustle by. A view runs down Wabash Avenue (7:28). The Art Institute of Chicago (7:45) is captured. Birds flutter over the Fountain of the Great Lakes (7:50) and in front of the Historic Water Tower (8:06). Tourists mingle around the wooden fort of Dearborn (8:25); constructed by Captain John Whistler in 1803. A wide angle catches the Fort (8:46). The Civic Opera House follows (8:59). Chicago locals sort through goods (10:18), Distribution trucks arrive (10:22). Aerial shots capture the Chicago Union Station (10:25) a prominent intercity commuter rail terminal situated on the West Loop and owned by Amtrak. The station was built in 1925. Travelers wander within the columned halls (10:40). Shots open of congested rail lines (10:44). Steam spills up from steam cars (10:57). Sea foam runs against the shoreline (11:13). A white cruiser liner stands in the harbor (11:21). A Curtis P-5 Superhawk follows up (11:37). Aerial shots from the wing capture the Chicago Midway Airport (11:42). The rail line takes off (12:27). Student’s stream out from what might be Bowen High School in Southeast Chicago (12:42). The field museum is situated off South Lake Shore Drive (12:54). Close shots capture the silver dome over the lake (13:17). Tourists move up the steps of the original Shedd Aquarium (13:38). A pair of females march up to tour of the Adler Planetarium (13:53). The planetarium was founded in 1930 by Max Adler. Crammed city streets show advertisements for Kosher salt (14:11) and Coats and Dresses; civilians buzz through vendor stalls below (14:11). A Vienna Jumbo Red Hots serves up for Chicagoans (14:34). Ground views capture straw hats and thick jackets for the Midwestern chill (14:47). A Hawaiian punch cart rolls through (14:59). A street cop spins for foot traffic (15:04). Chop Suey (15:11) serves guests in Chinatown. Ornate oriental trinkets line glass shelves (15:16). Fat Buddha’s smile out (15:26). The Chicago State flag of 1933 flaps in the breeze (15:41). Chicagoans flood the streets (16:00). Great shots capture the harbor (16:35). A light house stands on the far right (17:18). Sunbathers in long suits move through the water (17:30). Swimmers dot the waters and skyscrapers run along the edge (18:06). Locals filter through a park (18:46). Close shots watch boaters ready for a dip (18:53). White sail boats swim (19:10). Rail cars push through Chicago’s Chinatown (19:49). Traffic moves amid the city (20:00). A street view follows (20:14). A Chicago L Station (20:37) appears. Tourists spill from the trolley (21:11). A birds eye view from the front of the train (21:37) moves down the rail. A vintage advertisement encourages Chicagoans to take the trolley to the beach (24:24).

This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com