Eight oceangoing ships, all from foreign ports, line 3,500 feet of dock space at Calumet Harbor while two others, unable to find space, await turns for unloading on May 7, 1959. The harbor had its busiest day because of the influx of traffic through the St. Lawrence Seaway. Two more freighters had to wait at the entrance to the Calumet River. But the furor quickly passed as America fell in love with highways and trucks, and as trans-Pacific trade with Chicago came to dwarf seaway traffic.

Eight oceangoing ships, all from foreign ports, line 3,500 feet of dock space at Calumet Harbor while two others, unable to find space, await turns for unloading on May 7, 1959. The harbor had its busiest day because of the influx of traffic through the St. Lawrence Seaway. Two more freighters had to wait at the entrance to the Calumet River. But the furor quickly passed as America fell in love with highways and trucks, and as trans-Pacific trade with Chicago came to dwarf seaway traffic. (Jack Mulcahy/Chicago Tribune)

Vintage: Chicago's Calumet Harbor

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In 1871, Chicago’s one-of-a-kind water link between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River helped make the city the country’s busiest port. In 2021, according to the U.S. Army Corps, 9 million tons of maritime cargo moved through the Calumet River and its harbor.

Eight oceangoing ships, all from foreign ports, line 3,500 feet of dock space at Calumet Harbor while two others, unable to find space, await turns for unloading on May 7, 1959. The harbor had its busiest day because of the influx of traffic through the St. Lawrence Seaway. Two more freighters had to wait at the entrance to the Calumet River. But the furor quickly passed as America fell in love with highways and trucks, and as trans-Pacific trade with Chicago came to dwarf seaway traffic.

Eight oceangoing ships, all from foreign ports, line 3,500 feet of dock space at Calumet Harbor while two others, unable to find space, await turns for unloading on May 7, 1959. The harbor had its busiest day because of the influx of traffic through the St. Lawrence Seaway. Two more freighters had to wait at the entrance to the Calumet River. But the furor quickly passed as America fell in love with highways and trucks, and as trans-Pacific trade with Chicago came to dwarf seaway traffic. (Jack Mulcahy/Chicago Tribune)

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This forest of masts and booms at Lake Calumet Harbor testifies to Chicago’s growth as an international port, circa June 1959.

This forest of masts and booms at Lake Calumet Harbor testifies to Chicago’s growth as an international port, circa June 1959. (Arthur P. Stalla/Calumet Studio)

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A ship passes through the Calumet Harbor area on Nov. 18, 1965, in Chicago.

A ship passes through the Calumet Harbor area on Nov. 18, 1965, in Chicago. (Jack Mulcahy/Chicago Tribune)

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The Southeast Steel mills pour smoke into the Calumet Harbor area on Dec. 29, 1970, in Chicago.

The Southeast Steel mills pour smoke into the Calumet Harbor area on Dec. 29, 1970, in Chicago. (Michael Budrys/Chicago Tribune)

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Quiet reigns along the dock at Calumet Harbor as a result of striking longshoremen, while the English freighter, Manchester Fame, lies at mooring on May 18, 1960.

Quiet reigns along the dock at Calumet Harbor as a result of striking longshoremen, while the English freighter, Manchester Fame, lies at mooring on May 18, 1960. (William Yates/Chicago Tribune)

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Chicago’s principal overseas shipping facility, Lake Calumet Harbor, on a typically busy day in the summer of 1961. The harbor can accommodate 12 vessels in addition to two at the grain elevators in the background. The harbor handled 350,000 tons of general cargo and 365,000 tons of grain last year.

Chicago’s principal overseas shipping facility, Lake Calumet Harbor, on a typically busy day in the summer of 1961. The harbor can accommodate 12 vessels in addition to two at the grain elevators in the background. The harbor handled 350,000 tons of general cargo and 365,000 tons of grain last year. (Arthur P. Stalla/Calumet Studio)

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A barge is unloading sulphur at a Calumet Harbor dock as barge traffic continues through the winter of 1957.

A barge is unloading sulphur at a Calumet Harbor dock as barge traffic continues through the winter of 1957. (Chicago Tribune historical photo)

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It’s a busy day at Calumet Harbor when 10 ships arrive to unload or take on goods for ports throughout the world on Sept. 20, 1960. The opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway has created a water highway capable of bringing all but the biggest ships of the world to the port in Chicago.

It’s a busy day at Calumet Harbor when 10 ships arrive to unload or take on goods for ports throughout the world on Sept. 20, 1960. The opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway has created a water highway capable of bringing all but the biggest ships of the world to the port in Chicago. (Chicago Tribune historical photo )

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A ship’s crane lowers a 40,000 pound payload onto a flatbed truck on Aug. 15, 1960, at Calumet Harbor in Chicago. Big boxes like this one are the cause of a revolution in cargo handling.

A ship’s crane lowers a 40,000 pound payload onto a flatbed truck on Aug. 15, 1960, at Calumet Harbor in Chicago. Big boxes like this one are the cause of a revolution in cargo handling. (William Loewe/Chicago Tribune)

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An average day at Lake Calumet’s major port installation, where 17 foreign ships can be loaded and unloaded at one time, finds five freighters docked simultaneously, circa 1960. Expansion plans call for the facilities that can handle 100 ships.

An average day at Lake Calumet’s major port installation, where 17 foreign ships can be loaded and unloaded at one time, finds five freighters docked simultaneously, circa 1960. Expansion plans call for the facilities that can handle 100 ships. (Chicago Tribune historical photo )

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The market for foreign steel made inroads last year during a prolonged steel strike, circa 1960, at Calumet Harbor. The average ship length is 450 feet.

The market for foreign steel made inroads last year during a prolonged steel strike, circa 1960, at Calumet Harbor. The average ship length is 450 feet. (Chicago Tribune historical photo )

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Ships can be unloaded from both sides with the aid of a floating crane at Calumet Harbor, circa 1960. Two of the world’s largest grain elevators are in the background.

Ships can be unloaded from both sides with the aid of a floating crane at Calumet Harbor, circa 1960. Two of the world’s largest grain elevators are in the background. (Chicago Tribune historical photo)

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Fencing at the northwest corner of a service drive entrance to Calumet Harbor ends about 30 feet from the gate house on March 14, 1969. Maxim Cohen, Chicago Regional Port district director, admits the fence is in no way a deterrent to cargo pilferage.

Fencing at the northwest corner of a service drive entrance to Calumet Harbor ends about 30 feet from the gate house on March 14, 1969. Maxim Cohen, Chicago Regional Port district director, admits the fence is in no way a deterrent to cargo pilferage. (Jack Mulcahy/Chicago Tribune)

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