Author Description

Using historic and modern maps and photographs, historic Bird's Eye Views and aerial satellite images, this remarkable piece vividly displays the changes in Chicago from the time before European settlement of the Americas up to the year 2000. Images include a Bird's Eye view from 1868, a 1999 oblique aerial image, a Bird's Eye view of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair site and an 1865 photo of canal boats on the Illinois and Michigan Canal. A Satellite image from 1999 is contrasted with an artistic impression showing the landforms in 1000 AD. A modern map of the city center is provided for context. The text describes the changes in the City's shape and character over time, including changes made to the landforms, with a graph showing population growth since 1840.Other text explains the changes in mapping technology over the years. A time scale highlights significant events in the world and the region. Beautiful and informative.