Houseboat Residents

Woman at her Houseboat on the North Branch of the Chicago River, 1930

Photographer: Unknown
Source: Chicago Historical Society (ICHi-37393)

This photograph indicates the permanence of some houseboat moorings. A woman stands at the front door of her houseboat, surrounded by pets and potted plants at Irving Park on the north branch of the Chicago River.

See also: Irving Park; North Center

Harry Hansen's Description of Chicago River Houseboats, 1942

Author: Harry Hansen Illustrator: Harry Timmins
Source: Chicago Historical Society (ICHi-37426)

Harry Hansen wrote an anecdotal history of the Chicago River in 1942 (titled The Chicago ). In this excerpt from the book, Hansen describes the houseboats (and their owners) that he encountered along the north branch of the Chicago River.

See also: Chicago River

Houseboat Sinking, North Branch of the Chicago River, 1922

Photographer: Unknown
Source: Chicago Historical Society (ICHi-37394)

In this clearly staged photograph, a woman watches as workmen try to save her houseboat from sinking into the north branch of the Chicago River adjacent to the Irving Park Bridge in 1922. The photograph reminds us of the inherent danger from storms and other vessels for houseboat residents.

See also: Chicago River

Houseboat on the Chicago River at La Salle Street, 1952

Photographer: Louis F. Zimmermann
Source: Chicago Historical Society (ICHi-37395)

While the colony of houseboats along the north branch of the Chicago River was a semi-permanent fixture in the mid-twentieth century, other houseboats were clearly designed to move from one place to another. Seen here is a houseboat at north La Salle Street along the Chicago River in 1952.

See also: Water; Near North Side