Oak Street Beach

Oak Street Beach is located on North Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, Illinois, on the shore of Lake Michigan. One of a series of Chicago beaches, the Chicago Park District defines Oak Street Beach as the area from approximately 1550 North Lake Shore Drive to 500 North Lake Shore Drive, including Ohio Street Beach, the South Ledge, a concrete path running from Ohio Street beach to the Oak Street Curve, Oak Street Beachstro Restaurant, Oak Street Beach proper, the North Ledge, and a concrete path running from Oak Street Beach to North Avenue Beach.

History

Up until the late 1800s the Lake Shore sloped from Oak Street to the Chicago river in a much gentler fashion. However the construction of a shipping pier at the river led to a build up of sand and silt just to the north. As the land rose up out of the water squatters began to take residence, leading to disputes with lakefront property owners.

The biggest series of clashes surrounded a man named George Streeter in 1886. Streeter's boat, with passengers and cargo, became stranded on the sandbar created by the pier. As he unloaded waste and cargo, he created a small island. Eventually he persuaded people to dump more there, and claimed a sizable island. However the city would not stand for it, and after legal battles (some of which included gun fights) Streeter was evicted and the land, which was eventually filled in, became part of Chicago and became known as Streeterville.

Oak Street

Oak Street may refer to:

Oak Street (Chicago)

Oak Street is a short street in Chicago's Gold Coast neighborhood. It is notable for its numerous luxury goods shops, upscale spas, restaurants,and residences.

Location

Oak Street is in Chicago's Gold Coast. It runs from 138 East to 648 West in the Near North Side. It ends without crossing the North Branch of the Chicago River. West of the river, the street changes to Augusta Boulevard. Its eastern end is Michigan Avenue. At this intersection Oak Street becomes East Lake Shore Drive. Two blocks east of this end are famed North Lake Shore Drive, Lakefront Trail, and Oak Street Beach.

Points of interest

Oak Street is Chicago's most prestigious shopping street. Oak Street has a mix of international couture houses, American luxury brands, and local boutiques, and is in close proximity to famed Michigan Avenue and Rush Street.

Oak Street has continued to expand in recent years as international brands have chosen this street over Michigan Avenue, although it is perceived as an extension, if not part, of the Magnificent Mile. On one corner of Oak Street's intersection with Michigan Avenue is the Drake Hotel, Chanel, Van Cleef and Arpels, and Georg Jensen. However, in contrast to Michigan Avenue, Oak Street is much narrower, with trees lining both sides of the block giving a more intimate setting, with less foot traffic. Part of the appeal has been slightly lower rents and smaller boutique type spaces compared to Michigan Avenue. Most of the buildings are former residences converted into retail spaces, with new construction mirroring the existing aesthetics of the neighborhood.

Oak Street (New Orleans)

Oak Street is a historic street located in the Carrollton neighborhood of Uptown New Orleans.

The section of the street from Carrollton Avenue to Leake Avenue was thoroughly renovated as part of a government-funded revitalization project in 2009. The street had long housed some of the city's more renowned nightclubs, restaurants, shops and cafes, such as the Maple Leaf Bar, Jacque-Imo's Cafe, and Rue de la Course. The post-Hurricane Katrina renovations led to the emergence of a number of new businesses and venues.

Its variety of eateries and boutiques, combined with its proximity to the South Carrollton Avenue streetcar line, have made this stretch of Oak Street a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. It has also become a common location for many of the film and television shoots that have led to the city of New Orleans being nicknamed "Hollywood South," following a series of industry-geared tax breaks. Oak Street also plays host to the annual Oak Street Po' Boy Festival and serves as the base for the Mid-Summer Mardi Gras parade every summer.