#SAVEFOURMILECRIB
FOUR MILE CRIB NEEDS OUR HELP !
For more than 125 years, Four Mile Crib has survived the punishing environment of Lake Michigan: the violent storms, unrelenting waves, hurricane force winds, and crushing ice. But now, Four Mile Crib NEEDS our help! The City of Chicago unfortunately has abandoned Four Mile Crib allowing it to fall into disrepair. The structures on the crib are deteriorating at an alarming rate with some structures already experiencing significant failures. Years of neglect and exposure to the harsh elements have taken their toll and now it seems that structural failure and total collapse of those structures is certain unless action is taken to save it.
Step by Step.
PRESERVATION.The first step is to stabilize Four Mile Crib in its current condition halting further deterioration and preventing the imminent collapse of the building structures on the crib. Stabilizing Four Mile Crib in its current state would buy some time to complete historical documentation, structural inspections, feasibility studies, and detailed proposals for its restoration, revitalization, and repurposing.
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RESTORATION.The second step is to focus on the restoration and revitalization of Four Mile Crib. The goal being to restore as much of the crib as possible to its original condition as completed in 1894 with minor modification necessary for safety and intended new use. The restoration would be inclusive of and keep intact the two-room second story addition that was completed in 1932.
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REPURPOSING.The third step is all about welcoming the general public to visit, tour, and use Four Mile Crib as a educational, experiential, and historical resource.
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WHAT is Four Mile Crib?
Built in the late 19th century to support Chicago's rapidly growing population, Four Mile Crib is one of many water cribs (aka water intakes, intake cribs, or water intake cribs) constructed to supply fresh drinking water for Chicago and its surrounding communities. Placed into into service in 1892, Four Mile Crib was the second such water crib ever to be constructed in Chicago and is the oldest of the six remaining water cribs. Learn more about Four Mile Crib and the vital role it played in Chicago's history.
WHY save Four Mile Crib?
Four Mile Crib is an important part of Chicago's history and an incredible example of a 19th century engineering marvel! It represents a rare and unique opportunity to utilize a resource that has basically been frozen in time. While there are many well preserved structures in Chicago from the 19th century, few are representative of the utility necessary to enable the growth and expansion of a city like Chicago. Four Mile Crib was not a house designed by a celebrated architect. Nor was Four Mile Crib the home of a prominent politician, well known business mogul, or famous socialite. Four Mile Crib was instead home to a Crib Keeper who spent his days ensuring continuous operation of the crib with chores ranging from general maintenance and repair to the daily cleaning of fish screens. With its tall arched brick windows, a walkable promenade along the outer wall with beautiful views, and simple decorative embellishment in its brickwork, Four Mile Crib was built to be more than just a hole in the Lake where Chicago gets its water. The crib was designed to have visual appeal and elements of comfort to be enjoyed by its keeper and those that had the pleasure to see it at close range.
Four Mile Crib faces destruction from three different sources:
NATURE - While the crib itself was meant to stand up to the punishing environment of the lake winter spring summer and fall. It requires some maintenance to survive. Having been taken out of service and abandoned by the city, nature it beginning to takes its toll. Nature has a way of reclaiming its territory if left unchecked, and we certainly see that happening in the weaker structures of the crib. Read our Crib Condition Reports to learn more.
THE CITY OF CHICAGO - Unfortunately the City of Chicago seems unable to decide what to do with Four Mile Crib and has adopted a hands-off approach in the meantime. Up until 2013, the city had been continuing at least some form of maintenance; even if minimal. The city even seemed prepared to complete "emergency repairs" allocating a combined $1.4mm in its 2012-2016 Capital Improvement Program plan for such repairs to both Wilson Avenue Crib AND Four Mile Cribs. Alas, in a complete and stunning reversal, the City of Chicago allocated $11,400,000 in its 2013 - 2017 Capital Improvement Program plan for the demolition of both Wilson Avenue Crib and Four Mile Crib. Moreover, the demolition of Four Mile Crib was included in every subsequent Capital Improvement Program plan until 2018. The project was even put out for bid in 2016 making its way through several rounds of clarifications, but thankfully never seems to have been awarded. It appears that Four Mile Crib has been spared from intended destruction, at least for now.
Money allocated for the demolition of Wilson Avenue Crib and Four Mile Crib:
INACTION - Inaction goes hand in hand with nature. But to drive the point home, left abandoned to the elements without basic maintenance, Four Mile Crib will continue its accelerating deterioration. The structures sitting atop the actual crib, the Crib Keeper living quarters and the well house with metal roof are in certain peril. We need to complete detailed inspections of the structures and perform minimal repairs/bracing to stabilize the structures and halt further deterioration until restoration/repurposing plans can be finalized.
Four Mile Crib faces destruction from three different sources:
NATURE - While the crib itself was meant to stand up to the punishing environment of the lake winter spring summer and fall. It requires some maintenance to survive. Having been taken out of service and abandoned by the city, nature it beginning to takes its toll. Nature has a way of reclaiming its territory if left unchecked, and we certainly see that happening in the weaker structures of the crib. Read our Crib Condition Reports to learn more.
THE CITY OF CHICAGO - Unfortunately the City of Chicago seems unable to decide what to do with Four Mile Crib and has adopted a hands-off approach in the meantime. Up until 2013, the city had been continuing at least some form of maintenance; even if minimal. The city even seemed prepared to complete "emergency repairs" allocating a combined $1.4mm in its 2012-2016 Capital Improvement Program plan for such repairs to both Wilson Avenue Crib AND Four Mile Cribs. Alas, in a complete and stunning reversal, the City of Chicago allocated $11,400,000 in its 2013 - 2017 Capital Improvement Program plan for the demolition of both Wilson Avenue Crib and Four Mile Crib. Moreover, the demolition of Four Mile Crib was included in every subsequent Capital Improvement Program plan until 2018. The project was even put out for bid in 2016 making its way through several rounds of clarifications, but thankfully never seems to have been awarded. It appears that Four Mile Crib has been spared from intended destruction, at least for now.
Money allocated for the demolition of Wilson Avenue Crib and Four Mile Crib:
- $11,400,000 - 2013-2017 City of Chicago Capital Improvement Plan
- $11,900,000 - 2014-2018 City of Chicago Capital Improvement Plan
- $9,500,000 - 2015-2019 City of Chicago Capital Improvement Plan
- $11,500,000 - 2016-2020 City of Chicago Capital Improvement Plan
- $500,000 - 2017-2021 City of Chicago Capital Improvement Plan
- $0 - 2018-2022 City of Chicago Capital Improvement Plan
INACTION - Inaction goes hand in hand with nature. But to drive the point home, left abandoned to the elements without basic maintenance, Four Mile Crib will continue its accelerating deterioration. The structures sitting atop the actual crib, the Crib Keeper living quarters and the well house with metal roof are in certain peril. We need to complete detailed inspections of the structures and perform minimal repairs/bracing to stabilize the structures and halt further deterioration until restoration/repurposing plans can be finalized.
HOW do we save Four Mile Crib?
AWARNESS - First and foremost, we need to create awareness and generate interest. Tell people about us and what we are doing. Help us create a buzz, because we can't do this alone! We are going to need the help of lots of people save the crib! So get the word out! Share our site with your friends and family! Invite people to join our social media pages.
INFORMATION - Knowledge is power. So read through our site and learn about Four Mile Crib. Learn about its history, how it was built, why it was built, what made it such a marvel of engineering, and why it was so important to Chicago.
STAY INFORMED - Visit us periodically to keep up with the latest information. Stay in the know by signing up for alerts, joining our Twitter, and subscribing to our newsletter.
CONTRIBUTE/VOLUNTEER/DONATE - Help us save the Four Mile Crib by contributing. We need:
INFORMATION - Knowledge is power. So read through our site and learn about Four Mile Crib. Learn about its history, how it was built, why it was built, what made it such a marvel of engineering, and why it was so important to Chicago.
STAY INFORMED - Visit us periodically to keep up with the latest information. Stay in the know by signing up for alerts, joining our Twitter, and subscribing to our newsletter.
CONTRIBUTE/VOLUNTEER/DONATE - Help us save the Four Mile Crib by contributing. We need:
- Photos - We need dated photos to help show the cribs condition throughout its history.
- Stories - We need stories about the crib. Stories of your experiences with the crib. Or stories that have been passed down through friends and family.
- Fact Checking - Help us make sure we are providing accurate information about the crib. If you think we have our facts wrong, please let us know. Point us to more accurate and credible source of information.
- Volunteers - No doubt about it, we're going to need people to pitch-in and help. Volunteer opportunities will be forthcoming.
- Contacts - Do you have any relatives who used to work on the water cribs? We would love to talk to them. Do you know anyone who could help with out goal to save the crib? Please introduce us.
- Money - Saving Four Mile Crib is going to require a team of people putting forth a lot of time and effort. Some of those people are going to have to work full time during regular business hours to accomplish much of what needs to be done. This isn't a project that can be accomplished by part-time volunteers working on the weekends only. Don't get me wrong! We will need those volunteers too! But accelerated deterioration of the crib just doesn't afford a lot of time. Money will allow people to be dedicated to the project without distraction.
WHO benefits?
Everyone! The idea is to welcome the general public in as many ways as possible to visit, tour, learn, and experience the crib for themselves. Part historical museum, part STEM learning lab, and part experiential destination the vision is to provide both in-person and virtual experiences. Ever wonder what the crib looks like inside? What the living area looked like? Ever want to walk the promenade and take in the beautiful skyline of Chicago? Help us save the crib and you will get that chance!