History of Chicago's Alleys

By Hilda41302

  • When were alleys made

    Alleys have been part of Chicago's physical fabric since the beginning of the 19 century.

  • Grid

    the young federal government to break up the land was section it into squares. Made it possible for them to apply allies.

  • Providing service

    Alleys were laid all 58 blocks of the Illinois & Michigan Canal commissioners' original town plat in 1830, providing rear service access to property facing the main streets.

  • The Benefits

    Alleys were useful for keeping the working parts of urban life out of site

  • needs

    The Chicago alleys were laid out for the practical needs of the city.

  • wood block pavement

    Wood block pavement were used for alleys. called Samuel Nicolson for he was the superintendent of Boston and Roxbury Mill Corporation when he invented the process.

  • replacing

    wood block was replaced with brick or Belgian Block paving schemes

  • Alleys everywhere

    98 percent of the city's residential blocks had alleys

  • help transit

    forms the back bone of our transit system; trash and cars

  • historical places

    wooden paved alleys were added in historical places