Vintage: Navy Pier, the magnificent gem on the lake

A crowd swarms around and on an excursion steamer at Municipal Pier, now called Navy Pier, in July 1916. The United Shore steamer would take passengers to Lincoln Park or Jackson Park, with a Moonlight Excursion every night complete with dancing. (Chicago American)

Municipal Pier from the air in an undated photo. (baiduhai historical photo)

Municipal Pier, later renamed Navy Pier, in an early undated photo. The pier opened in July 1916.

People line up for the Moonlight Excursion boat rides to Lincoln and Jackson Park in an early photo at Municipal Pier, later renamed Navy Pier. (baiduhai historical photo)

Municipal Pier, now named Navy Pier, from the air on Aug. 24, 1921. (baiduhai historical photo)

Municipal Pier (now Navy Pier) in 1921.

Municipal Pier, now named Navy Pier, from the air on Sept. 7, 1927. (baiduhai historical photo)

Aurora Wetzdorff at Municipal Pier (Navy Pier) in an undated photo.

People gather to watch a water ski meet at Municipal Pier (Navy Pier) in 1928.

Thousands of spectators gathered in 1931 to watch the United States Army air maneuvers over Navy Pier.

Municipal Pier (now Navy Pier) is decorated for the formal opening of the Pageant of Progress Exposition in 1930.

Thousands jam Navy Pier at the mouth of the Chicago River to watch the landing of Gen. Italo Balbo’s air fleet on July 15, 1933, in Chicago. The pier was packed all afternoon and many thousands lined the shore of the lake and perched on vantage points on top of buildings in hopes of seeing the squadron of 24 army flyers land on the lake in Chicago. (baiduhai historical photo)

Municipal Pier, now named Navy Pier, from the air on Sept. 7, 1927. (baiduhai historical photo)

A Ferris wheel, carousel, and thrill ride amused Navy Pier visitors in an undated photo.

Municipal Pier (now Navy Pier) in 1929.

A crowd sings on a Sunday night instead of dancing in the Auditorium at Municipal Pier (now Navy Pier) in this undated photo.

When they finish, these Navy men will know a multitude of jobs connected with planes, circa 1943. (baiduhai historical photo)

The new seaplane ramp at Navy Pier in 1938. The Tribune wrote on June 9, 1938, "Construction of a downtown seaplane base in protected waters immediately south of Navy Pier will begin today." The Tribune explained, "The raft is being built by a group of private citizens, most of whom own their own airplanes. Most of them expect to commute from summer homes to the ramp during the summer, and all of them intend to promote seaplane flying around Chicago as a sport."

A general view of the interior of the new Navy Drill Hall gym at Navy Pier on Nov. 10, 1942.

A view looking east shows the progress at Navy Pier which workmen are trying to complete on June 29, 1959, before Queen Elizabeth arrives in town.

University of Illinois students get a lesson on how to handle their fishing poles from Leo Gedvilas, seated, in a boating and fishing course at Navy Pier in 1948.

Queen Elizabeth II sits between Mayor Daley and a smiling Prince Philip as they ride in a special cart at Navy Pier while touring the Chicago International Trade fair on July 6, 1959.

Cargo at Navy Pier, Chicago's lake front harbor facility, spills over on the docks, with steel lined up on the adjacent street as a surge of shipping fills warehouses on Nov. 18, 1961. The last vessel from the Chicago area is expected to be gone by Thanksgiving Day.

Sparkling lake waters and the magnificence of the Chicago skyline make dusk beautiful for visitors to the Chicagoland Fair on Navy Pier on July 6, 1957. The visitors are sitting on the northeast end of the pier.

Navy Pier from the air in 1963.

People walk past freighters docked at Navy Pier in 1963.

Ships docked at Navy Pier in 1962.

University of Illinois students crowd into the Navy Pier gymnasium during record-breaking enrollment for summer classes June 19, 1964. Prospective students were also lined up outside the building.

A view of Navy Pier when the University of Illinois classes were held there in 1964.

Ernie Lagasse, 22, and Candace Burley, 18, both North Park College students, enjoy a refreshing day in Chicago by taking in the sights at Navy Pier on June 2, 1967.

Dock workers are busy with five ships tied up at the Chicago port of Navy Pier on May 31, 1969.

Crowds gather at Navy Pier for ChicagoFest featuring jazz, folk, country and rock music on Aug. 4, 1979.

The old Navy Pier streetcar ramp is slated for demolition by the city. Photo taken of the ramp on March 8, 1979.

Crowds pour into Navy Pier on July 29, 1981, under sunny skies for the opening of ChicagoFest.

Crowds flocked to Navy Pier as it hosted ChicagoFest in 1981.

A view of Navy Pier looking west toward downtown shows how far the pier has been demolished to make way for new development on March 14, 1991. The $150 million remodeling job is expected to be complete in 1994.