Chicago Aerial: Urban Setting Edition: Langford and Moreau's Mid-City Golf Cours

[Dan Moore]

The course was on a bit of a roller coaster ride during its existence.  This is a revised version as the City took land from the course to build a H.S. as seen just south of the course.  This original was a full fledged 18 holer.  This version was still 18 holes but somewhere in the 4,000 yd. range.  This would be the closest course to where I live if it were still there.  Apparently some Bozo took it over.  

I apologize as this isn't the best image.  

[Tim_Cronin]

The course was on a bit of a roller coaster ride during its existence.  This is a revised version as the City took land from the course to build a H.S. as seen just south of the course.  This original was a full fledged 18 holer.  This version was still 18 holes but somewhere in the 4,000 yd. range.  This would be the closest course to where I live if it were still there.  Apparently some Bozo took it over.  

I apologize as this isn't the best image.  

That's right, Jack. You could laugh your troubles away at this course.

[Adam Clayman]

Assume it's the L&M near GTHS?

I was too little to get on the roller coaster
 ( a one and only occurance of that happening)
 but I do fondly remember the Haunted House
 with all those screwy mirrors.

[Dan Moore]

The always astute Tim Cronin makes reference to the Chicago Cubs historic broadcasting team of Jack Brickhouse and Irv "That's right Jack" Kupcinet and to the definitive history of Riverview Park "You Can Laugh Your Troubles Away, The Complete History of Riverview Park."

The WGN studios, home of the Cubs and the Bozo the Clown Show, are now located north of Addison where the golf course is located in the aerial.  Up until around 1930 the course also filled the land just south of Addison where Lane Tech (Gordon Tech HS is to the west across the river) is located in the aerial.

Riverview Park home of the famous Bobs rollercoaster is seen to the south of Lane Tech.  I remember the "Pair-O-Chutes."  After seeing that at a very young age I think I was scared of heights for years after.  

Mid-City Golf Club was designed and built by Langford and Moreau (right you are Adam) as a public access course on land that was previously used as a trash dump along the Chicago River.  Langford and Moreau maintained their office on Grace Street next to the course in the 1930's.  This was probably one of the courses they operated when the design business went south during the depression.  

The Bobs


The Pair-O-Chutes

[Tim_Cronin]

The Bobs rocked, and so did the Flying Turns, another of Riverview's six coasters. (I was only there once and loved it.) The "laugh your troubles away" reference comes from the TV commercials with "Two Ton" Baker, who looked like his description.
Jack and Kup did the Bears, unbearably, for over 20 years. The WGN studios at 2501 W. Bradley Place (an unforgettable address, since it was mentioned every day on Bozo) is said to be where the second fairway way. WGN moved in around 1960.
Mid-City was the first landfill course I know of. It was dug out for material for bricks, then filled back in. I don't know if the plan was to make it a golf course, but L&M came along either as the hole was filled or soon after.

[Phil McDade]

Quick; I've been late to reply to a Chicago aerial that -- a first! -- I have a personal connection to before Shivas does. I can see the townhouse my best buddy from college lives at in the larger aerial  -- just east of Lane Tech, south of Addison, and just west of the diagonal L line running N/S on the right edge of the photo. My old college buddy tells me there used to be an old No. 2 pencil factory in the area.

Dan -- I presume you're close as well? Not too far to the friendly confines from here, either...