 | |  | |  | |  |
Capital is located in the heart of the city and is an impressive building architecturally and by its imposing size. (4) I
asked a local where to go for dinner and he suggested State Street. Here the street is closed to traffic for
approximately three blocks and there are shops and restaurants. This part of town has a very nice, laid back feel.
Coast - the beach area along the Lake, (3) The Water Works building, which was built in 1869 is an historic
landmark building. It was one of only two buildings in this section of downtown (the other was the pumping
station) that survived the Chicago fire of 1871. It is a beautifully designed building, a combination of beaux arts
and gothic, I believe, (4) I caught a boat which gave an architectural tour of most of the important buildings in
downtown Chicago from the Chicago River. Along with learning about the architecture of all these great buildings,
you also learn about their history and how they fit into the evolution of the city. For example, during the city’s
growth it was determined that the city needed more utilities and transportation placed underground. Instead of
digging under the existing building, they raised all of the buildings up in downtown Chicago and placed fill beneath
them – quite ingenious, and (5&6) I went to the John Hancock building for some wonderful city views,
