History photos: Chicago's Soldier Field through the years
Soldier Field, which opened in 1924, is the oldest NFL stadium in operation. The Chicago Bears have played there regularly since 1971.
Soldier Field - 2003
A view of the renovated Soldier Field at the first Bears home game of 2003.
Soldier Field - 1971
A kick sails over a mass of Bear defenders to clear the crossbar and give Washington a 3-0 lead at Soldier Field on Nov. 14, 1971. The Bears have played their home games at Soldier Field since 1971.
Soldier Field - 1931
Soldier Field, Grant Park and the lakefront in 1931.
Soldier Field - 1959
Chicago's Johnny Morris (47) goes for three yards with John Roach (33) hot on his trail Nov. 29, 1959, during a Bears game against the Cardinals at Soldier Field.
Soldier Field - 1987
Things were looking down for Bears coach Mike Ditka and his players late in the first half before they rallied for a 27-26 victory against Tampa Bay on Oct. 25, 1987, at Soldier Field in Chicago.
Soldier Field - 1926
Cardinal Mundelein, from left, the Rev. William R. Griffin and C. G. Guill look over Soldier Field in preparation for the 28th International Eucharistic Congress, circa 1925. The congress was held in Chicago from June 20-24, 1926, and was hosted by Mundelein. The large, open-air Mass was held at Soldier Field with an estimated 500,000 people attending.
Soldier Field - 1933
A crowd of 125,000 would end up filling Soldier Field for the Jewish Day pageant "The Romance of a People," during the Century of Progress World's Fair, circa 1933. "Attendance was one of the largest of the entire Exposition, more than 244,000 admissions being recorded," the Tribune wrote of the day's fair attendance.
Soldier Field - 1928
Jack Cope, parachute jumper, landing in Soldier Field in 1928.
Soldier Field - 1939
Mount Carmel High School fans just couldn't stay in their seats as the Catholic league champion rallied in the fourth quarter to tie the game against Fenger High School, 13-13, in Mayor Kelly's sixth annual prep title game played at Soldier Field on Dec. 2, 1939.
Soldier Field - 1962
An aerial view of Soldier Field, the scene of the rally conducted by evangelist Billy Graham on June 17, 1962, in Chicago.
Soldier Field - 1946
President Harry S. Truman waves to the crowds gathered at Soldier Field on April 6, 1946, in Chicago. He circled the field in his car before he made his speech to the crowd.
Soldier Field - 1978
One of the first in line when the gates opened at 7:30 a.m. was Mike Orman of Elk Grove, who proudly displays his precious ticket to see the Rolling Stones on July 8, 1978, at Soldier Field.
Soldier Field - 1959
The sky over Soldier Field is illuminated in a brilliant fireworks display, marking the close of the 30th Chicagoland Music Festival in 1959.
Soldier Field - 1959
Mayor Richard J. Daley is a fan when his Chicago preps compete, in fair weather or foul. He beams through snowflakes that hit Soldier Field on Nov. 28, 1959, shortly after the Lane vs. Fenwick Prep Bowl game began.
Soldier Field - 1943
Part of a huge crowd attending the Hollywood Bond rally in Soldier Field on Sept. 16, 1943, during World War II.
Soldier Field - 1936
The first Chicago Ski Tournament held at Soldier Field on Feb. 16, 1936. A huge slide was erected on the south end of the lakefront arena. An unemployed road worker from Minnesota, Eugene Wilson, 22, won the tournament with a 68-foot jump. A snowstorm prevented the skiers from making attempts on the steel slide, which was erected over the permanent stands in the south end of the arena.
Soldier Field - 1932
Rear Adm. Walter Crosley, from left, Amelia Earhart and Maj. Gen. Frank Parker salute the flag on the reviewing stand at the George Washington bicentennial military tournament held at Soldier Field on June 24, 1932.
Soldier Field - 1961
Spectators hold up matches to light up Soldier Field during a ceremony that is a highlight of the Chicagoland Music Festival in 1961.
Soldier Field - 1974
The Chicago Fire take to the field in their opening game against the Houston Texans on July 10, 1974, at Soldier Field.
Soldier Field - 1948
The Chicagoland Music Festival held at Soldier Field in August 1948.
Soldier Field - 1927
On Sept. 22, 1927, Jack Dempsey lost to Gene Tunney at Soldier Field, but Tunney may have benefited when he was knocked down in what historians describe as the famous "long count."
Soldier Field - 1959
Alponse Cahue, of Mexico City, attends the opening day of the Pan Am Games at Soldier Field on Sept. 2, 1959.
Soldier Field - 1927
Mike Hastings of Fort Worth, Texas, at Chicago's third annual World Championship Rodeo held at Soldier Field in August 1927. Hastings won first place in 1927 when he threw his steer in 13 seconds. The Tribune reported that more than 350,000 visitors had witnessed the nine-day rodeo, which started Aug. 20 and ended Aug. 29.
Soldier Field - 1973
An aerial image of Soldier Field, taken by the Goodyear blimp in 1973.
Soldier Field - 2003
Pregame fireworks before the Bears-Packers game at the newly renovated Soldier Field on Sept. 29, 2003.
Soldier Field - 1971
A kick sails over a mass of Bear defenders to clear the crossbar and give Washington a 3-0 lead at Soldier Field on Nov. 14, 1971. The Bears have played their home games at Soldier Field since 1971.
Soldier Field - 1959
Chicago's Johnny Morris (47) goes for three yards with John Roach (33) hot on his trail Nov. 29, 1959, during a Bears game against the Cardinals at Soldier Field.
Soldier Field - 1926
Cardinal Mundelein, from left, the Rev. William R. Griffin and C. G. Guill look over Soldier Field in preparation for the 28th International Eucharistic Congress, circa 1925. The congress was held in Chicago from June 20-24, 1926, and was hosted by Mundelein. The large, open-air Mass was held at Soldier Field with an estimated 500,000 people attending.
Soldier Field - 1939
Mount Carmel High School fans just couldn't stay in their seats as the Catholic league champion rallied in the fourth quarter to tie the game against Fenger High School, 13-13, in Mayor Kelly's sixth annual prep title game played at Soldier Field on Dec. 2, 1939.
Soldier Field - 1946
President Harry S. Truman waves to the crowds gathered at Soldier Field on April 6, 1946, in Chicago. He circled the field in his car before he made his speech to the crowd.
Soldier Field - 1959
The sky over Soldier Field is illuminated in a brilliant fireworks display, marking the close of the 30th Chicagoland Music Festival in 1959.
Soldier Field - 1943
Part of a huge crowd attending the Hollywood Bond rally in Soldier Field on Sept. 16, 1943, during World War II.
Soldier Field - 1936
The first Chicago Ski Tournament held at Soldier Field on Feb. 16, 1936. A huge slide was erected on the south end of the lakefront arena. An unemployed road worker from Minnesota, Eugene Wilson, 22, won the tournament with a 68-foot jump. A snowstorm prevented the skiers from making attempts on the steel slide, which was erected over the permanent stands in the south end of the arena.
Soldier Field - 1961
Spectators hold up matches to light up Soldier Field during a ceremony that is a highlight of the Chicagoland Music Festival in 1961.
Soldier Field - 1948
The Chicagoland Music Festival held at Soldier Field in August 1948.
Soldier Field - 1927
On Sept. 22, 1927, Jack Dempsey lost to Gene Tunney at Soldier Field, but Tunney may have benefited when he was knocked down in what historians describe as the famous "long count."
Soldier Field - 1927
Mike Hastings of Fort Worth, Texas, at Chicago's third annual World Championship Rodeo held at Soldier Field in August 1927. Hastings won first place in 1927 when he threw his steer in 13 seconds. The Tribune reported that more than 350,000 visitors had witnessed the nine-day rodeo, which started Aug. 20 and ended Aug. 29.
Soldier Field - 2003
Pregame fireworks before the Bears-Packers game at the newly renovated Soldier Field on Sept. 29, 2003.
Soldier Field - 2003
A view of the renovated Soldier Field at the first Bears home game of 2003.
Soldier Field - 1931
Soldier Field, Grant Park and the lakefront in 1931.
Soldier Field - 1987
Things were looking down for Bears coach Mike Ditka and his players late in the first half before they rallied for a 27-26 victory against Tampa Bay on Oct. 25, 1987, at Soldier Field in Chicago.
Soldier Field - 1928
Jack Cope, parachute jumper, landing in Soldier Field in 1928.
Soldier Field - 1962
An aerial view of Soldier Field, the scene of the rally conducted by evangelist Billy Graham on June 17, 1962, in Chicago.
Soldier Field - 1978
One of the first in line when the gates opened at 7:30 a.m. was Mike Orman of Elk Grove, who proudly displays his precious ticket to see the Rolling Stones on July 8, 1978, at Soldier Field.
Soldier Field - 1959
Mayor Richard J. Daley is a fan when his Chicago preps compete, in fair weather or foul. He beams through snowflakes that hit Soldier Field on Nov. 28, 1959, shortly after the Lane vs. Fenwick Prep Bowl game began.
Soldier Field - 1932
Rear Adm. Walter Crosley, from left, Amelia Earhart and Maj. Gen. Frank Parker salute the flag on the reviewing stand at the George Washington bicentennial military tournament held at Soldier Field on June 24, 1932.
Soldier Field - 1959
Alponse Cahue, of Mexico City, attends the opening day of the Pan Am Games at Soldier Field on Sept. 2, 1959.
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Lawmakers don’t appear overly eager to open the state’s checkbook for the team, with one calling the move a "gut punch."
“We’re taking it one step at a time,” Chicago Bears Chairman George McCaskey said.
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