Listing Through Life

This museum was built in 1906 to display the natural history collection of G.P. Lord. I don’t think a thing has been changed since, which is what gives the museum its charm. It isn’t large and in fact, as far as I could tell, the historical charm is the only reason to visit.

Passenger Pigeon

This cast of a dinosaur head and foot are in the children’s room. I can’t explain the eyes, but they work for me.

Nobody was around when I toured the musuem. I thought I’d add a bit of color to the historical diorama that depicts the moment in 1681 when the explorer La Salle and Father Membre entered the Illiniwek camp. The friendly explorer offers a peace pipe and the equally-friendly chief offers him a chair. How nice.

The Lords Park Zoo, such as it is, is next to the museum. It was a hot, muggy day as I wandered around the perimeter of the entire zoo which, if I counted correctly, consists of seven elk, three deer and two bison.

We had originally planned on going up in the Willis Tower, but we thought it might be too cloudy. So we went up in the Hancock Building instead. I know that makes no sense. But we were in the neighborhood, so we paid our $18 and went up for about an hour. It turned out well because we got to watch the fog coming in over the loop.

Looking southeast

Looking north

Looking west, with Moody visible just beyond the third red crane.

Looking north as the fog crept in over the Loop.

We paid $18 to get up to there. I wasn’t about to walk around once and leave. We bought drinks and found a table.

On a whim, I put my camera on the table and shot up towards the mirror on the ceiling. This is the shot I got.

Engine Company 98. This fire station on East Chicago Avenue has been in service since 1902.

Chicago Avenue Pumping Station

I took this next shot out the window of the Chicago Water Tower across the street.

Chicago Water Tower

This building is know for:

1. being one of the few buildings to survive the Chicago fire in 1871
2. being the second oldest water tower in the United States
3. being the model for White Castle hamburger restaurants