Posts tagged race

Chicago native, Johnny Weismuller (wearing the Illinois Athletic Club suit with the Chicago municipal device), congratulates his opponent after a swim race in the Chicago River, 1927. Weismuller would go on to be one of Hollywood’s first, and arguably the most well known, film Tarzans. via Chicago Tribune

Chicago native, Johnny Weismuller (wearing the Illinois Athletic Club suit with the Chicago municipal device), congratulates his opponent after a swim race in the Chicago River, 1927.

Weismuller would go on to be one of Hollywood’s first, and arguably the most well known, film Tarzans.

via Chicago Tribune

From a Francis Miller photo essay about racial discrimination in the northern US, 1957, Chicago. The African American couple were suffering attacks after moving into a mostly white residential neighborhood.

From a Francis Miller photo essay about racial discrimination in the northern US, 1957, Chicago.

The African American couple were suffering attacks after moving into a mostly white residential neighborhood.

Preparing to race on a wooden track, probably Union Park, 1901, Chicago. It’s interesting to note in photos of pre-1919 Race Riot Chicago, how much more integrated and inclusive race relations seemed…I could be wrong. LOC.gov

Preparing to race on a wooden track, probably Union Park, 1901, Chicago.

It’s interesting to note in photos of pre-1919 Race Riot Chicago, how much more integrated and inclusive race relations seemed…I could be wrong.

LOC.gov

Race sensitivity training at an office in the Loop, 1969, Chicago. This blows my mind.

Race sensitivity training at an office in the Loop, 1969, Chicago.

This blows my mind.

Rickshaw race at the Century of Progress World’s Fair, 1934, Chicago.

Rickshaw race at the Century of Progress World’s Fair, 1934, Chicago.

Indoor drag racing inside the International Amphitheater at 42nd and Halsted, c.1963, Chicago. The IA was THE convention and event place before McCormick was built. Elvis and the Beatles performed here. The infamous Democratic Convention was also held here in 1968. It was demolished in 1999. Click through for source.

Indoor drag racing inside the International Amphitheater at 42nd and Halsted, c.1963, Chicago.

The IA was THE convention and event place before McCormick was built. Elvis and the Beatles performed here. The infamous Democratic Convention was also held here in 1968. It was demolished in 1999.

Click through for source.

Preparing for a race at Washington Park, c.1905, Chicago.

Preparing for a race at Washington Park, c.1905, Chicago.

Photo of Frank Duryea,c.1895, participating in the very first American automobile race which happened right here in Chicago: From the Library of Congress: The First American Automobile Race At 8:55 a.m. on November 28, 1895, six “motocycles” left Chicago’s Jackson Park for a 54-mile race to Evanston, Illinois, and back—through the snow. Number 5, piloted by inventor J. Frank Duryea, won the race in just over 10 hours at an average speed of about 7.3 miles per hour! The winner earned $2,000; the enthusiast who named the horseless vehicles “motocycles” won $500; and the Chicago Times-Herald, sponsor of the race, declared: Persons who are inclined…to decry the development of the horseless carriage…will be forced…to recognize it as an admitted mechanical achievement, highly adapted to some of the most urgent needs of our civilization. “The Future of the Motocycle,” the Chicago Times-Herald, November 29, 1895, 6.

Photo of Frank Duryea,c.1895, participating in the very first American automobile race which happened right here in Chicago:

From the Library of Congress:

The First American Automobile Race

At 8:55 a.m. on November 28, 1895, six “motocycles” left Chicago’s Jackson Park for a 54-mile race to Evanston, Illinois, and back—through the snow. Number 5, piloted by inventor J. Frank Duryea, won the race in just over 10 hours at an average speed of about 7.3 miles per hour! The winner earned $2,000; the enthusiast who named the horseless vehicles “motocycles” won $500; and the Chicago Times-Herald, sponsor of the race, declared:

Persons who are inclined…to decry the development of the horseless carriage…will be forced…to recognize it as an admitted mechanical achievement, highly adapted to some of the most urgent needs of our civilization.

“The Future of the Motocycle,” the Chicago Times-Herald, November 29, 1895, 6.

A group about to start a bicycle race, c.1901. This was taken next to the Water Tower on Michigan Ave.

A group about to start a bicycle race, c.1901. This was taken next to the Water Tower on Michigan Ave.

Crowd gathering in front of the Water Tower before the start of a bicycle race, c.1901, Chicago.

Crowd gathering in front of the Water Tower before the start of a bicycle race, c.1901, Chicago.

Hot air balloon exhibition (possible race), c.1908, Chicago. I’m not sure of the location, as there are no distinguishable landmarks, although you can tell it’s within the city because of the buildings surrounding the field.

Hot air balloon exhibition (possible race), c.1908, Chicago. I’m not sure of the location, as there are no distinguishable landmarks, although you can tell it’s within the city because of the buildings surrounding the field.

A day at the races, Washington Park, c. 1929, Chicago.

A day at the races, Washington Park, c. 1929, Chicago.