Breaking Ground

On December 17, 1938 a silver plated pneumatic spade was used to break ground on the Chicago subway project. In his speech, Mayor Kelly said "the city's greater future has begun." He continued "Chicago's pioneering spirit may be stymied at times in its expression, but not stopped in its fulfillment. Other cities may have thought we were paralyzed with chronic traction complaint – tied hand and foot with red tape and the hamstrings of postponement. What they did not know is that Chicago always gets what it wants."

State Street Subway Construction of the State Street Subway, circa 1938-1942

Chicago Loop Alliance Collection, Audio/Visual Materials, Box 1, Folder 32, Special Collections, Chicago Public Library.