Stunning Kodachrome of Mid-20th Century Chicago in Vibrant Colors

Harold Mayer, a professor of geography at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, was a pioneer in the area of urban geography in the twentieth century. He specialized in North American urban and transportation geography, focusing on New York, Chicago, Milwaukee, and British Columbia. Mayer amassed a large photographic collection during his academic career, which he used to teach his students. He captured the changing urban landscapes of North and Central America through his photographs.

During the 1950s and 1960s, Mayer visited Chicago several times and photographed the streets and everyday life of people. Below are some of the stunning photographs from his Chicago tour.

#1 Maxwell Street market, Chicago in Kodcharome, 1957

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#2 Water tower and business district, Riverside, Ill. 1964

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#3 Randolph Street E from Dearborn Street, Chicago 1962

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#4 Old Orchard shopping center, Skokie, Ill.

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#5 Oakbrook shopping center, Oakbrook, Ill. 1962

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#6 Chicago, drawbridge on Chicago River Photographer’s Note:Description Lake Shore Drive Bridge.

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#7 Chicago Light and Outer Harbor, Chicago 1959

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#8 Business center, E on Lake Street from Marion, Oak Park, Ill. 1960

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#9 Wacker Drive from 333 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago

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#10 Randolph Street E from Dearborn Street, Chicago

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#11 Illinois Central Railroad and Michigan Boulevard Façade, Chicago 1962

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#12 CTA station and parking lot, Ridgeland Ave., Lake Street line, Oak Park, Ill. 1964

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#13 Chicago, boat at Chicago Tribune wharf on Chicago River 1959

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#14 Chicago in Kodachrome: Del Lago shopping center, no man’s land, Wilmette, Ill. 1965

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#15 Chicago, suburban Elgin, Chicago Street in central business district 1967

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#16 Business district, Lincoln Ave., South from Oakton Street, Skokie, Ill. 1964

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#17 Housing, 4700 block Hamlin Ave S., Chicago 1964

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#18 Back of the Yards, Hamilton Ave. N from 46th Street, Chicago 1964

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