My Chicago

Text and photographs by Tom Arndt



The first time I remember hearing about the city of Chicago I was six or seven years old. My Aunt Fud, who lived in Fergus Falls Minnesota and worked at Norby's department store, would make a couple of trips there a year to buy hats for her hat department. She would take the Great Northern Empire Builder to Chicago and always stop in Minneapolis to visit her two sisters, my mom and my aunt. She would tell me about this big city that had so many big buildings and crowded with people. She made the city sound like some kind of Oz.

I would learn more about Chicago in my social studies class in elementary school. The great Chicago Fire, Al Capone, all the stereotype stories about Chicago. The first time I went to Chicago I was a junior in high school. It was 1961. I rode the train with my Luther League group from my church. I remember the street photographers who would snap your picture and then hand you an envelope to send back and you would get your candid portrait. I actually sent in my envelope and got my picture. Very prophetic moment since many years later my life is consumed with making pictures of the people of Chicago. I also remember going to Maxwell St. I had never seen a place like that.

I watched the 1968 convention on T.V. and swore that I would never go to that evil city again. But then I started to watch the Bob Newhart show and I became interested in Chicago. I came to Chicago a couple of times in the mid 70's and really started to like the city. I met my Future in Minneapolis around 1980. She is from Chicago and we started making frequent trips in the 80's. I received a fellowship in Chicago which allowed me to work a year in the city making photographs. Susan and I had a great time, made a lot of friends and fell in Love with the city. We decided to move here in 1989 and we are having a wonderful life in our adopted home. Susan went to graduate school at the University of Chicago, I am doing the best work of my life and have made many new friends here. I love to take walks along the lake, go to Sox and Cub games. There is so much here. So much history. This truly a special time in our lives. Chicago is a city of many colors and moods. It really has a unique American character. It our Sweet Home Chicago.