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Why Chicago's Secret Tunnel Got Paved Over

IT'S HISTORY

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The LaSalle Street Tunnel in Chicago, completed in 1871, was one of the city's earliest subterranean infrastructure projects, designed to alleviate congestion and provide a crucial crossing under the Chicago River. The tunnel, constructed by the private LaSalle Street Tunnel Company, was initially intended for pedestrian and carriage use, facilitating easier movement between the north and south sides of the city. However, the tunnel faced numerous challenges, including frequent flooding and structural issues exacerbated by the city's growing industrial demands. By the early 20th century, with the advent of more advanced transportation options, the tunnel became obsolete and was eventually closed in 1939. Its legacy remains a fascinating glimpse into the early engineering feats that shaped Chicago's urban landscape.

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IT’S HISTORY - Weekly Tales of American Urban Decay as presented by your host Ryan Socash.

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Video Chapters:
0:00 The History of the Lasalle Street Tunnel
0:39 Chicago's Washington Street Tunnel
3:27 Constructing the Lasalle Street Tunnel
5:27 Surprise Opening Shocks Chicago Residents
7:24 Chicago is Engulfed in Flames
8:08 Challenging Accessibility & Lazy Lake Captains
10:22 Tunnel Reconstruction Complications
12:32 Automotive Revolution Sealed the Lasalle Street Tunnel's Fate

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Some media elements in this video are used under the fair use provisions of U.S. copyright law (Title 17, Section 107) for purposes of commentary, criticism, and education. If you believe your image or content was used in a way that violates your rights, please contact us at copyright@videobrothersmusic.pl

» CREDIT
Scriptwriter - Ryan Socash,
Editor - Karolina Szwata,
Host - Ryan Socash
Music/Sound Design: Dave Daddario

» NOTICE
Some images may be used for illustrative purposes only - always reflecting the accurate time frame and content. Events of factual error / mispronounced word/spelling mistakes - retractions will be published in this section.

20 Comments

@howwedodaley241 2 years ago

Who build the buildings ? They are incredible circa 1870. We lost so much craftsmanship in 150 years. 😢

@smm8470 2 years ago

I lived in Chicago several years, and was totally unaware of these pedestrian/cart tunnels. Thanks for the education on their transient existence!

@movietrain808 2 years ago

There is a hatch that is still used to enter the tunnel - you just need to know where to look and yes it’s locked. I was in there about 10 years ago.

@flickr4jazz 2 years ago

Horse carts? Wagons? The smell in the tunnel must have been horrifying.

@Greezy42 2 years ago

I especially love photos and illustrations of the downtown lake front in various stages of development. You should do a video about "the evolution of Chicago harbor"

@JoseMartinez-df2db 2 years ago

As a Native Chicagoan I grew up knowing this. Because of this tunnel the city also built the Chicago Pedway which is still in use today. The Chicago Pedway connects many of the buildings in the Loop.

@pilsudski36 2 years ago

There's streetcar tunnel under the river on Madison Street too. We used to go though it on the Madison/5th Ave streetcar when I was a little kid.

@dtrocchio 2 years ago (edited)

Thank you so much for continuing to highlight some of the more obscure and interesting parts of Chicago history.

@barryarmstrong1130 1 year ago

As a Chicagoan, I continue to be entreated and amazed by the fascinating broadcasts of Ryan Socash about Chicago history. Thanks, Ryan.

@user-xs1fm3bo8t 2 years ago

You can still access those tunnels. I've been inside of them. They're used by the water department.

@Ddrhodes123 2 years ago (edited)

I remember my grandmother mentioning how she used to take the trolley on Washington under the river. Apparently before 1939. At the 3:34 mark, the location you point to is incorrect. The “LaSalle” names at that point are referring to the LaSalle St Metra station, the LaSalle Blue line station and the LaSalle/Van Buren Loop station. The LaSalle tunnel was further north where the street crosses the main branch of the river. You mention the tunnel entrances are paved over but at Kinzie looking south down LaSalle, there is a ramp going down to parking garages right where the north tunnel entrance would be. Repurposed tunnel entrance? (Check Google Maps street view)

@WVF112469 2 years ago

Amazing how the bitter winters didn't delay the men using chisels, picks, mules and wagons were able to build the structures in the background pictures.
Blows my mind how the old world buildings look like a European city of the past yet have power lines prior to the Worlds Fair.

@scottklandl488 1 year ago

Do one on how they reversed the Chicago river!!!

@mikemillette4936 1 year ago

Great vid Ryan! I had only heard of this in passing during all the commotion over the 1992 downtown tunnel floods. One slight correction: the pointer at 3:32 is actually hovering over Ida B. Wells Drive (formerly Congress Parkway). The nearby tags reference the LaSalle Street Metra Station probably causing the confusion. The point of crossing of the tunnel is near the top of the screen - look for the words "Clark/Lake", which is the El stop, and the words "Richard J. Daley Center". You'll see "N LaSalle St" underneath them. This was the south terminus of the tunnel.

@AdeptAnglingTV 2 years ago

Born and raised in Chicago there’s much history that will never be told. Chicago is now mostly covered in transplants from all over the place. Like it has been since it’s start. But now more then ever, People born outside of Chicago. Are flocking to the city.