chicago wolf point location confluence north south present day near north loop community areas chicago fork river historically important development early chicago location chicago hotel ferry drug store church bridges said possibly derive native american chief translated wolf alternate theories exist historically west bank river fork called wolf point 1820s 1830s came denote entire area settlement grew fork specifically refer plot land north fork near north community area owned kennedy family larger complex today north bank fork parking lot construction site west bank includes high rise railroad tracks south bank serves transition point drive east west street north south street background origin unknown memoir states place called wolf point having residence indian named way wolf alternate explanations named landlord later called wolf point tavern killed ferocious wolf hung painted sign wolf outside tavern commemorate event named soldier fort place wolves gather night originally term referred west bank fork junction branches gradually came refer region modern usage specifically mean plot land north confluence branches river near wolf point provided inspiration chicago municipal device shaped city identification symbol seen buildings chicago city owned vehicles early settlement non indigenous trader named writing arrived chicago october stated told traversing annually wrote shown evidence trading house remains supposed belonged located west bank short distance early settlers named river son early built tavern west bank river wolf point tavern operated granted liquor license december year left chicago early landlord tavern turn succeeded tavern known wolf point tavern wolf tavern painted sign wolf hung outside tavern approximately brother john opened store north bank river enlarged store began operate tavern competition june authorized operate ferry ferry man crossing river miller tavern wolf point tavern built log house near brother tavern chicago recorded factory sold tavern moved away following death wife opened log cabin south bank added frame addition opened chicago hotel immediately adjacent hotel public bar chicago drug store left hotel continued operation destroyed fire site redeveloped site today designated built northeastern corner tavern went succession owners changes moved milwaukee avenue plans preserve building hotel collapsed work start project started church june members log cabin congregation floated log cabin rolled logs corner washington ferry river replaced bridge winter bridge river located lake added winter early settlers wrote letter fall bridges constructed logs feet wide cleared river feet development illinois michigan canal opened decreased accommodate turning basin ships autumn year opened chicago railroad depot southwestern corner site wolf point tavern lumber yard chicago earliest grain elevators built north tavern blocks west destroyed large fire september elevator survived great chicago fire burned september rebuilt year grain elevator paul elevator added immediately south original chicago milwaukee railway company purchased elevators million today demolished currently site occupied property north bank river owned businessman sold democratic_party figure kennedy family patriarch depending source kennedy family sold complex center property larger million million transaction family retained interest acres land area owned kennedy family bounded east west south north located northeast location currently parking lot numerous plans develop property dating late 1980s planned develop property high rises designs argentine american architect updated plans proposed target completion dates decade property real estate location redevelopment plans past construction began phase planned wolf point towers south bank redeveloped mayor plans extend located south bank extend intersection lake street design plans finalized spring completion targeted end pending funding currently plan include story retail space large park iconic bridge linking path
Wolf Point, Chicago