Chicago Drawbridges, “takes viewers on a fascinating, artistic, and historical field trip of Chicago’s drawbridges. This film is divided into segments, which makes it friendly for classroom use. Classes across the curriculum, including art, history, mathematics, and science, can utilize this documentary in a variety of ways.”
— Patricia Ann Owens, School Library Journal, June 2014, p. 59.
“Using a rich array of vintage drawings and photographs, crisp graphics, and computer-generated images the producers retrace the evolution of these bridges. Offering the always welcome chapter selection option and several supplementary in-depth interviews, this affordable program will attract a variety of viewers.”
— Dwain Thomas, Library Journal, June 15, 2014, p. 56
Trailer for Chicago Drawbridges
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This is the story of Chicago’s development through the lens of its bridges and how Chicago became the Drawbridge Capital of the World! It is the companion to the three-time award winning book Chicago River Bridges.
Featuring Interviews of:
Ozana Balan-King – Museum Director, McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum
Grant Crowley – Owner, Crowley’s Yacht Yard
Vasile M. Jurca, P.E. – CDOT Engineer
Michael Latham – Professor of music & film studies
Dennis McClendon – Chicago CartoGraphics
James S. Phillips, P.E. (ret.)
David M. Solzman, Ph.D. – Professor, geographer, & author
Brian Steele – Director of Communications for CDOT (2001-2011)
Betsy Steinberg – Managing Director of the Illinois Film Office
The documentary was aired on Chicago and Milwaukee Public Television and screened in Park City, Utah during the 2014 Sundance Film Festival. After watching this film you will never look at a bridge the same way.