The South California Avenue bridge over the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. Chicago Illinois USA. October 2008.

I took this photo looking north on South California Avenue, between West 35th and 31st Streets on Chicago's near southwest side. Pictured here just north of the U.S I-55
Stevenson Expressway, is this gray former drawbridge over the Chicago sanitary and Ship Canal. The Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, was constructed between 1892 and 1900, and reversed the flow of the Chicago River inland. River traffic over the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, was originally tall masted vessels, steam boats, as well as barges and tug boats. During World War 2, the United States Navy operated submarines, destroyers and other naval vessels through the canal, mainly at night time. In later years, river traffic through the canal became the domain of low leval barges and tow boats, eliminating the need for drawbridge operators. The drawbridges were gradually phased out during the mid to late 1950's, and soon were converted to stationary bridges like the one here on South California Avenue. There are still some operating drawbridges on the canal at South Clark Street, South Halsted Street, as well as South Damen and Ashland Avenues due to the recreational boat storage yards at these locations. There are still many former drawbridges,as well as railroad pivoting swing bridges today on the Chicago Sanitary and ship Canal.

This photo location is just south of Chicago's Little Village neighborhood.
The tall building in the background, is the Cook County Criminal Court Building.