Arts & Entertainment
Geoffrey Baer Explores the Chicago Lakefront’s History in New Special
From its many beaches to the tours and cruises, Chicago’s lakefront continues to make its mark on the city’s culture and identity.
Geoffrey Baer’s new special, “Touring Chicago’s Lakefront,” explores how the iconic shoreline came to be what it is today.
The program profiles the lakefront’s development as public land and the battle to keep it open to the people. Baer said the shoreline differs heavily from other cities’ lakefronts, many of which have become industrialized.
“It truly is unique in the world in the sense that it’s been preserved for the people,” Baer said. “Our whole lakefront is a park. There was a big battle to preserve the lakefront as a park back in the 19th century.”
Baer goes on quite the journey in the program, doing many things he’s never done before — like diving to a shipwreck near the South Side and fishing on Lake Michigan.
“It was a lake trout,” said Baer, recalling his first try at fishing. “We came back with 12 fish. It was crazy.”
Baer tells stories from the lakefront with the help of expert voices like professors and fishermen, who shed light on the various ways Chicagoans engage with the land and water. Baer said the variety of perspectives makes the program a more engaging experience.
“When I first started doing these shows 30 years ago, I was like a tour guide,” Baer said. “It was just me who talked. In recent years, we’ve brought all kinds of other voices on to the show, and I think it just makes it so much richer. I love these people.”
Watch the full program here.
