1962 photo unlocks forgotten Loop landmarks along Randolph Street
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View down Randolph Street in 1962. The Hotel Sherman and the Woods Theatre, both since torn down, are visible on the right side of the street. The Woods Theatre's marquee is advertising the movie "Cape Fear" starring Robert Mitchum. Photo: Chicago History Museum/Getty Images
This week's History Mystery revealed: The 1962 photo captures a recent bygone era along Randolph Street, just west of Dearborn Street in the Loop.
Zoom in: This corridor is currently the epicenter of city government, office and apartment buildings and traveling Broadway playhouses, which isn't far off from what it was in 1962.
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The clues: Readers were quick to point out the Greyhound bus station, which was a hub for bus travel in the 21st century.
- It moved to Harrison Street in 1989 and looks to be on the move again.
- The Woods Theatre was also a big giveaway. The movie house was built in 1918, but it was demolished in 1989. The lot is now occupied by Petterino's restaurant and the Goodman Theatre complex, which was built in 2000.
- The other clues included the famed Hotel Sherman, which was once a stomping ground for Richard J. Daley-era politicians. It was demolished in 1980 to make way for the Thompson Center, which is now being renovated to become Google's Midwest headquarters.
The bottom line: This block has significantly changed since 1962, but many Chicagoans still remember the original bright lights of Randolph Street.