The Atlas Obscura Podcast Chicago Bridge Houses (Classic)
9 snips
May 16, 2025 Patrick McBriarty, a bridge historian and author of Chicago River Bridges, shares fascinating insights about Chicago's iconic bridge houses and their operators. Discover the historical significance and architectural beauty of these structures, which once served as homes for drawbridge operators. McBriarty also intertwines personal anecdotes about navigating grief through photography of these bridges, reflecting on their operational challenges and charm. His passion brings the city's rich engineering heritage to life, inviting listeners to appreciate these architectural marvels.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Discovery of Bridge Houses
- Johanna Mayer initially found the Chicago Architecture Boat Tour unexciting but changed her mind after experiencing it.
- A small green house at a bridge base caught her attention, leading to curiosity about bridge operators' lives.
Patrick's Bridge Journey Begins
- Patrick McBriarty took up bridge photography after personal loss, which sparked his passion for bridges.
- His first bridge photo was the Kinsey Street Bridge, the site of Chicago's very first bridge.
Chicago's Bridge Richness
- Chicago has over 300 bridges, including 37 movable ones, ranking second worldwide after Amsterdam.
- Movable bridges are especially notable when raised, drawing local and tourist attention.