City Within a City: The Biography of Chicago’s Marina City
Postcards from Marina City
1960s
(Above) In 1964 and 1965, Cameo Greeting Cards produced several postcards featuring Marina City. This postcard, with a photo by John Penrod, shows the “Circle 7” logo of WBKB (now WLS-TV) on the broadcast tower on top of Marina City’s west tower. The caption reads: “Bordered by some of Chicago’s finest architecture, the Chicago Canal is a contributing factor to Chicago’s commerce, industry, and serves as a means of seeing Chicago’s famous and beautiful scenery via the water route.”
Considered an iconic image of Chicago, Marina City starred in many postcards in the 1960s. Even when it was part of the skyline, Marina City stood out in these images as the tallest structure north of the Loop.
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(Left) “Looking West – From every vantage point, Chicago’s skyscrapers offer a new vista. The Chicago River may be seen here. The river affords the city commercial waterway advantages as well as personal pleasure. It is completely navigable for all size vessels.” Photo by John Penrod. |
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EASY LIVING ON THE CHICAGO RIVER. “Using the famous Marina City slips and restaurant as a background setting, tourists enjoy the many sights offered by excursion boats plying between Lake Michigan and the western end of Chicago’s fabulous downtown.” |
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“FANTASTIC MARINA CITY OF CHICAGO,” reads the back of this postcard from the 1960s. “Twin Towers rising majestically 60 stories on the North Bank of the Chicago River over-shadowing the Loop – boasts 896 outside balcony apartments – 20 floors auto parking – 600 boat parking area – a 10-story office building – 1,500 seat theatre – shops – restaurants – swimming pool – skating rink and a three-acre park. Total cost $36,000,000.” Published by Aero Distributing Co., Inc. |
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View from above the intersection of Wacker Drive and Michigan Avenue. Aero Distributing Co., Inc. |
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In this Marina City postcard from the early 1960s, the commercial platform, marina, office building, and theater building are still under construction, and the seawall is still in place. With the help of dynamite, the seawall was removed in November 1963. |
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This view from the west shows the seawall in front of the marina still intact. “Marina City. Looking along the Chicago River with Lake Michigan in background. At the left, Chicago’s newest apartment house is Bertrand Goldberg’s Marina City, 60-story cylinders scalloped ’round with balconies. Lower floors serve as ramp garage. Structure has been called Chicago’s most amazing since the 1893 Ferris Wheel.” |
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“State Street at Randolph. Looking north on State Street at Randolph with the New Marina City’s Twin Towers in the background.” |
The postage rate for postcards was four cents in 1963, increasing to five cents in 1968.
Written by Steven Dahlman
Presented for nonprofit educational purposes
Presented for nonprofit educational purposes