Ohio Street Beach, nestled along Chicago’s magnificent shoreline, is more than just a city beach; it’s a landmark with a rich and evolving history. From its initial conception as part of Lincoln Park’s grand design to its modern-day status as a beloved urban oasis, Ohio Street Beach has a compelling story to tell. This article dives into the fascinating journey of Ohio Street Beach, uncovering its origins and transformation into the popular destination it is today.
Originally part of a grander vision for Lincoln Park, Ohio Street Beach’s story is intertwined with the park’s own development. Lincoln Park began its transformation in 1860 from a former public cemetery into a recreational space. By 1865, it was named in honor of President Abraham Lincoln. The Lincoln Park Commission, established in 1869, took over management and began ambitious projects, including the first stretch of Lake Shore Drive. This initial Lake Shore Drive, planned in the early 1870s, was envisioned as a scenic boulevard along Lake Michigan’s edge, marking the beginning of significant development in the area that would eventually include Ohio Street Beach.
As Lake Shore Drive progressed, extending southwards from its initial boundaries near Diversey Parkway and North Avenue, property owners south of Lincoln Park, near Oak Street, saw an opportunity. By the late 1880s, they requested the Lincoln Park commissioners to extend Lake Shore Drive further south to Ohio Street. These property owners were willing to relinquish their riparian rights and contribute financially to the landfill extension. This extension was crucial as it included a breakwater, designed to protect the newly formed lakeshore and roadway from the relentless erosion caused by Lake Michigan’s waves.
The 1890s saw the realization of this ambitious project. The construction not only delivered a fifty-foot wide roadway but also a beautifully designed lakeside area. This area featured an extensive granite-paved beach, inviting stone sidewalks, dedicated paths for bicycles and horses, and broad lawns. Adding to the aesthetic appeal, double rows of elm trees were planted along each side of the new roadway, creating a picturesque setting that hinted at the future potential of the area for recreation and leisure, including the eventual Ohio Street Beach.
Despite the development of the area, the idea of a formal bathing beach at Ohio Street took time to materialize. At the dawn of the 20th century, City of Chicago officials proposed elaborate plans for an Ohio Street bathing beach. However, the Lincoln Park Commission initially resisted these proposals. It wasn’t until 1913 that Mayor Carter Harrison and the city’s Special Park Commission stepped in, creating a small, temporary sand beach at the foot of Ohio Street. This early iteration of Ohio Street Beach was equipped with dressing rooms and lockers, and even provided bathing suits for men. A policeman was assigned to oversee the beach, highlighting the city’s commitment to public order and safety even in recreational spaces. However, this beach was short-lived, operating for only a couple of years, and the paved promenade between Oak Street and Ohio Street remained the consistent feature during this period.
The popularity of nearby Oak Street Beach in the early 1920s underscored the need for more bathing facilities. Oak Street Beach, though adjacent to Lincoln Park, was becoming increasingly crowded. Responding to public demand, citizens advocated for a permanent sand beach at Ohio Street to alleviate the congestion. In 1923, the City Council allocated $25,000 for this purpose. However, concerns arose about the planned beach’s angular shape and its potential impact on water circulation, raising public health worries. City engineers conducted studies, suggesting the configuration should not cause significant problems, yet the project stalled. In 1931, the City improved Lake Shore Drive just north of Ohio Street and transferred the area’s ownership to the Lincoln Park Commission, setting the stage for future developments.
A significant shift occurred in 1934 when the Lincoln Park Commission became part of the newly formed Chicago Park District. Further improvements to Lake Shore Drive in the late 1930s and early 1940s included the long promenade on the east side, stretching from Oak Street to Ohio Street. During this period, a small triangular beach emerged at the southern end of the promenade, marking a precursor to the modern Ohio Street Beach. The Chicago Park District continued to manage this small Ohio Street Beach until 1958. In that year, the beach was closed to facilitate the construction of Chicago’s new central filtration plant on a man-made peninsula just north of Navy Pier. This massive project, completed in 1965, not only provided a vital infrastructure for the city but also resulted in the 10-acre Milton Olive Park, named after the heroic African-American war hero Milton Olive, III. Crucially, this project also led to the creation of an enlarged and improved Ohio Street Beach, marking its transformation into the established and cherished lakeside destination Chicagoans and visitors enjoy today. Ohio Street Beach stands as a testament to Chicago’s continuous efforts to blend urban development with accessible and enjoyable public spaces.
