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This was not the view I first saw of Chicago. As I was busy searching the map at the time, I neglected to take a photograph. I wished I did though, because we arrived at night approaching the city on Interstate 94 from Indiana in the south. As we passed the toll bridge into Illinois, what met us was an absolutely breathtaking view of the illuminated Chicago skyline surrounded by the most vast expanse of dazzling lights I've ever seen. Having been in suburbia for the past 2 months and after a 4 hour drive through near darkness, it was impossible to describe that feeling of wonder.

The Chicago skyline though, is no less magnificent in the day, as can be seen in the photo above taken approaching the city from the north on Interstate 94.


The skyline of Chicago from the shores of Lake Michigan. You can make out the Sears Tower on the left, John Hancock tower in the center and Navy Pier on the right. (Do not email me about how to assemble photos properly.)


Another view of the Chicago skyline from the Navy Pier.


Chicago is a world leader in architecture. The modern skyscraper, with its steel frame, high-speed elevators and curtain walls of glass was invented here. The "Chicago School" of architecture tossed aside the classical forms of Greece and Rome that architects the world over continued to apply to major works and instead stressed economy, simplicity and function. Yet this didn't result in a lack of adornment. The architects used a powerful language of simple geometric shapes, primarily strong vertical lines crossed by horizontal bands. Relief from the sharp lines came in the form of bay windows, curved corners, sweeping entrances and other details, which gave the buildings a pragmatic glory that reflected the city around them. The variety of architectural styles gave rise to a skyline unparalled anywhere in the world, and drew scores of future architects to Chicago to follow in the footsteps of famous forefathers like Louis Sullivan, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Frank Lloyd Wright, Fazlur Kahn and Bruce Graham, who designed both the John Hancock Center and the Sears Tower.


Today, continued construction of burly and aggressive Chicago style buildings keep the city's skyline vibrant and fresh.