Goose Island is a small industrial island located along the Chicago River, just northwest of downtown Chicago. The area was created in the mid-1800s when a canal was dug through the land to improve shipping access and river traffic, eventually separating it from the mainland and forming the island that still exists today. For decades, Goose Island became heavily tied to Chicago’s industrial growth, filled with factories, warehouses, rail lines, and manufacturing buildings that helped support the city’s expanding economy.
While parts of the area still maintain that industrial character, Goose Island has changed significantly over the years with newer developments, offices, breweries, and residential projects slowly moving into the neighborhood. The mix of older brick industrial buildings alongside modern construction gives the area a very different feel compared to many other parts of Chicago, while still holding onto pieces of the city’s manufacturing history.
