Forever Open, Clear and Free: The Struggle for Chicago's Lakefront

by Lois Wille, Gerald D. Suttles (Designed by)

Of the thirty miles of Lake Michigan shoreline within the city limits of Chicago, twenty-four miles is public park land. The crown jewels of its park system, the lakefront parks bewitch natives and visitors alike with their brisk winds, shady trees, sandy beaches, and rolling waves. Like most good things, the protection of the lakefront parks didn't come easy, and this book chronicles the hard-fought and never-ending battles Chicago citizens have waged to keep them "forever open, clear, and free."

Illustrated with historic and contemporary photographs, Wille's book tells how Chicago's lakefront has survived a century of development. The story serves as a warning to anyone who thinks the struggle for the lakefront is over, or who takes for granted the beauty of its public beaches and parks.

"A thoroughly fascinating and well-documented narrative which draws the reader into the sights, smells and sounds of Chicago's story. . . . Everyone who cares about the development of land and its conservation will benefit from reading Miss Wille's book."—Daniel J. Shannon, Architectural Forum

"Not only good reading, it is also a splendid example of how to equip concerned citizens for their necessary participation in the politics of planning and a more livable environment."— Library Journal

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Environment

214 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1972

About the author

Lois Wille was a Chicago-based journalist, editor, and author. She won two Pulitzer Prizes.

Reviews

[Molly Corn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for everyone who lives in the city of Chicago

[Erik Graff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book a lot and if everyone lived in or around Chicago I'd have given it five stars. Unfortunately, most don't share this, the world's longest public urban lakefront, but all might benefit from reading about how hard it was to preserve free public access to such a delightful natural resource as our Great Lake Michigan. The message of this book for everyone: the necessity of unremitting vigilance to protect and promote the commonweal.

Chicagoans will likely love this book as much as I did, excepting perhaps those few experts who've gone far beyond learning the rudiments of the city's history. For myself, many questions were answered, many misconceptions corrected and many future explorations suggested.

Although this book has apparently been updated, I read the original 1972 edition. This datedness actually added a dimension to my appreciation of Ms. Wille's text because many of the things under discussion in the early seventies have come into fruition, more and less, in the decades following.

[Shane Skeldon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick, informative read about the founding if Chicago, and the few who stood up to the many to preserve the lakefront and the park system. Some of the information is dated, as the book was written in the early 70s, but it's fascinating to compare Ms. Wille's future predictions for the 80s and beyond to what really happened.

[Zak Yudhishthu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brief history of the lakefront in Chicago, focused on recreational spaces (indeed, including quite a bit of history about city parkland that isn’t directly related to the lake). It was published in the early 1970s, so it doesn’t cover many important developments — the Lakefront Protection Ordinance, Millennium Park, and Navy Pier especially would be crucial for a sequel.

It has some interesting history, and I suppose I respect Wille’s passion for the issue of defending open recreational space on the lakefront (the book does not bother to be neutral about this issue, which is fine). But because it’s rather outdated, I didn’t love reading it.

[Elaine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thus continues my dislike of non-fiction.
This book is on an interesting subject but is SO dry!
Lots of dates and names and minutiae.
Sadly I could not finish this, made it about 50-60% of the way I'd estimate.
Its interesting to look into Chicago history, but I kept feeling like there would be a test at the end, and I knew I'd fail.

[Viral · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short and simple book telling the story of how Chicago's famous lakefront came to be, and the many battles to keep it open and for the people amidst efforts to use it first for industry and now for highways. Unfortunately, it's quite dated now, but the general story it tells is still interesting.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inspiring popular history of Chicago’s lakefront prior to 1972. Chicagoans today should know how everyday citizens fought for this amazing public asset and that there’s still more work to be done.

[Mike Burke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave this book a lower rating because it is so dated having been written over 50 years ago. On the other her hand it had lots of history regard the Chicago Lakeshore and how things developed over time up to the early 1970s.

[Loreen Niewenhuis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating account of the history of Chicago and the struggles to keep the lakefront for public use.

[Ryan Ohlson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little dated, but still an interesting and enjoyable read dealing with an important part of Chicago's history.

[Teresa Sullinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating history of Chicago's Lakefront. Yay for Montgomery Ward!!