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The Friday Flashback: Photos of Forgotten Chicago

By Chuck Sudo in Arts & Entertainment on Apr 22, 2011 7:00PM

We saw the lead shot in this gallery from contributor Lowell Beyer in the Chicagoist Photos Flickr pool yesterday. We can remember seeing movies in the old United Artists theater back when we were eye level with our mother's navel and a search through Beyer's photostream uncovered the other shots that constitute this gallery. These shots were taken between 1970 and 1991 and bring back to mind the days when downtown wasn't as populous as it is today with its vivid images of green limousines, non-breathable fabrics and movie house architecture with character. Our favorite shot here is the Zimmerman's liquor store shot, with the giant Pall Mall ad on the bus in front.

One roadblock we discovered: not all of the photographs were tagged for inclusion in the Flickr pool. So we reached out to Beyer, asked for permission and Beyer granted it, so long as we link him to it. Which we already have. Thanks, Lowell.