Alleys may not be the first place you think to stroll, but in Chicago they hold surprises. Ghost signs, architectural quirks, and even a coffee shop are yours to stumble on.
At one time, Chicago and other cities paved their streets and alleys with wood rather than asphalt or stone. Chicago’s wooden streets have disappeared, but you can still walk in the footsteps of history down a few wooden alleys. I love these hidden gems scattered around Chicago, because most people pass they alleys—unless they know where to look.
Check out my video for a quick history on Chicago’s wood block alleys!
Follow the Wood Block Road
In the 1850s, Chicago lumber was cheap thanks to Wisconsin’s nearby forests. The city began experimenting with a wood block pavement known as Nicholson pavement. Chicago’s Civil Engineer, Samuel Greeley, praised this wooden pavement “where lumber was the great staple of the market, and where the foundation was new and yielding.”
Wood block pavement promised to be durable, clean, and quiet. The pavement was constructed from four-inch-wide, twelve-inch-long wooden blocks. The blocks settled on a sand foundation filled with gravel and coal tar to keep out moisture. When pine blocks proved to wear out quickly, the city switched to the more durable white oak and cedar. By 1891, 62 percent of Chicago’s 774 miles of road were paved with wood.
The durable wood pavement even survived the Great Chicago Fire! An 1872 report stated, “The wooden block pavement, although considerably damaged on all the streets where it was laid, withstood the fire much better than was expected.”
Wooden Alleys in Chicago Today
Unfortunately, the life of a wood block was only about a decade. Wood block pavement fell out of favor by the turn of the century as wood resources were depleted and stone became more affordable.
You can still find crumbling wood block alleys around 2100 North Hudson south of Webster Avenue and on Roscoe Street west of the Inner Drive.
In 2016, a road crew in Auburn Gresham uncovered a century-old wood-paved street. According to the Chicago History Museum, there are miles of wooden paving remaining under the city streets that were simply paved over.
Chicago’s best-known wood block alley lies in the Gold Coast between State Parkway and Astor Street. It’s located behind the behind the Archbishop of Chicago’s residence. The wooden alley was built in 1909 at a cost of $3,346.96. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.
In 2011, residents and aldermen restored the historic wood block alley using both original and new blocks at a cost of $400,000. The alley now boasts black locust pavers set in sand with concrete bands. It’s a fitting tribute to the forgotten building blocks that helped the city boom.
How to Visit Chicago’s Wood Block Alley
This wood block alley’s Gold Coast location next to Lincoln Park makes it relatively easy to visit. Just route yourself to the Archbishop’s Mansion and follow the sidewalk to the alley behind the house. The wood block alley is located just steps from North Avenue, making the CTA 72 bus a convenient travel option if you exit at North Ave. and Clark St. The closest CTA train station is the Sedgwick stop on the Brown Line. If you’re driving, paid parking is usually available along Clark St. I prefer riding my bike to the alley and then pedaling through Lincoln Park.
Want to discover other hidden places in Chicago? Check out my books Secret Chicago: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure and Chicago Scavenger!
Wood Block Alley
Between North State Pkwy. and North Astor St.
Chicago, IL 60610
Sources
- Board of Public Works. “Eleventh Annual Report of the Board of Public Works to the Common Council.” Google Books, Google, 1 July 1872.
- Breen, Justin. “Many Of Chicago’s Wooden Streets Are Still Intact, They’re Just Paved Over.” DNAinfo Chicago, 26 May 2016.
- Chrucky, Serhii. “Wood Block Alleys.” Forgotten Chicago, 13 Dec. 2008.
- Greeley, Samuel S. “Nicolson Pavement.” Chicago Press and Tribune, 15 Feb. 1859, p. 1.
- “How a Bunch of Blockheads Restored Chicago’s Last Complete Wood-Paved Alley.” ArchitectureChicago Plus, 23 Oct. 2011.
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Jessica Mlinaric founded Urban Explorer in 2010 to inspire curious travelers by highlighting history, culture, and hidden gems in Chicago and beyond. She is the author of ‘Secret Chicago’ and ‘Chicago Scavenger.’ Jessica has visited 20+ countries and 30+ U.S. states. She has more than 16 years of experience as a marketing strategist and works as a freelance writer and photographer.
