North Division Improvements

Tuesday, January 3, 1871

At a meeting of residents of Chicago’s North Division and of the adjoining town of Lakeview, the Committee on Local Improvements and Abatement of Nuisances makes several recommendations.  These include:  removal of the graves in the former cemetery grounds near the lake above North Avenue and the integration of this area into Lincoln Park as quickly as possible, connection of the lake shore drive with Pine Street (now North Michigan Avenue), widening State Street from Chicago Avenue to at least Division Street, and construction of a viaduct over the railroad tracks just north of the Chicago River.  The committee describes these tracks as “the most dangerous point in the city, wayfarers running the gauntlet of the [Clark Street] bridge only to run into the jaws of death.”