| Dates: | Circa 1960s-2024 |
| Size: | 3.25 linear feet in 5 boxes, includes 155 photographs |
| Repository: | Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, 400 S. State Street, Chicago, IL 60605 |
| Collection Number: | spe-n00190 |
| Immediate Source of Acquisition: | Donated by Mike Pocius in 2022, 2023 and 2024 |
| Conditions Governing Access: | Materials are open without restrictions. |
| Conditions Governing Use: | Please consult staff to determine ability to reuse materials from collection. |
| Preferred Citation: | When quoting material from this collection the preferred citation is: Mike Pocius Photographs, [Box #, Photograph #], Special Collections, Chicago Public Library. |
| Finding Aid Author: | Michelle McCoy, 2023, 2024 |
Abstract
Mike Pocius is a Chicago photographer and longtime resident of the Bridgeport neighborhood. His photographs capture a range of primarily Chicago community events, street scenes and artistic compositions from 1971 to 2015 and include scenes in Bridgeport, Little Village, Loop, Pilsen and other neighborhoods and the demonstrations in Grant and Lincoln Parks during the 1968 Democratic National Convention.
Biographical Note
Mike Pocius was born on July 14, 1949, and raised in the South Side Chicago neighborhood of Bridgeport, an area with a history of attracting immigrants. His father, Joe Pocius, worked as an electrician in the Union Stockyards and was also an amateur photographer. This latter interest resonated with Pocius who purchased an Argus C3 rangefinder camera in his last year of grade school. Soon thereafter, he acquired additional second-hand photographic equipment including an enlarger and set up a darkroom in his home. In 1968, Pocius participated in Vietnam antiwar protests prior to being drafted in 1969. Following his military service, Pocius attended Daley College and graduated from Columbia College in 1977. Over the years he has done commercial portraits, and school and wedding photography while continuing to create personal and artistic imagery.
Scope and Contents
The collection contains 155 photographs taken by Chicago photographer, Mike Pocius from 1971 to 2015. Photographs 1.1-1.60 are the photographic prints that were published in his 2021 book, Black and White. Photographs 1.61-1.130 are from his 2023 book, Black and White II. The images include scenes in Bridgeport, Little Village, Loop, Pilsen and other Chicago neighborhoods. A few scenes are from his travels outside of Chicago. Photographs 1.131-1.155 document his experiences in 1968, particularly the demonstrations in Grant and Lincoln Parks during the Democratic National Convention.
Arrangement
The photographs are arranged in the thumbnail order Pocius provided with his donation of digital and physical versions of the images. The photographer’s descriptions have been retained. The photographs that were not included with the thumbnails have been added to the end of each donation.
Separated Materials
The following publications donated by Mike Pocius have been cataloged and are available in the Special Collections Reading Room.
- Pocius, Mike. Black and White, Chicago: South Side Publishing Chicago, 2021, TR655.P634 2021
- Pocius, Mike. Black and White II, Chicago: South Side Publishing Chicago, 2023, TR655.P634 2023
- Pocius, Mike. Mike’s Kind of Town, Chicago, [2019], TR655.P634 2019
- Pocius, Mike. Mike’s Kind of Town, [catalog of An Exhibition]: Opening: August 4th, 2017; Exhibition: August 4th-August 26th, Chicago: Adventureland Gallery, 2017, TR655.P632 2017
Subject Headings
- Bridgeport (Chicago, Ill.)
- Bronzeville (Chicago, Ill.)
- Chicago (Ill.) -- Pictorial Works
- Democratic National Convention (1968 : Chicago, Ill.)
- Ginsberg, Allen, 1926-1997
- Little Village (Chicago, Ill.)
- Loop (Chicago, Ill.)
- Neighborhoods -- Illinois -- Chicago -- Pictorial Works.
- Ochs, Phil
- Parades -- Illinois -- Chicago
- Photography -- Illinois -- Chicago
- Pilsen (Chicago, Ill.)
- Pocius, Mike (1949-)
- Youth International Party
Related Materials
- Chicago Department of Urban Renewal Records
- gloria cassens Photographs
- Democratic National Convention Records
- David Gremp Photographs
- Lower West Side Community Collection
- Akito Tsuda Photographs
Collection Inventory
| Box 1 | Folder 1 | Biographical statement by Mike Pocius, 2022 |
| Box 1 | Folder 2 | Thumbnails for photographs 1.1-1.60, 2022 |
| Box 1 | Folder 3 | Pocius, Mike. Black and White, Chicago: South Side Publishing Chicago, 2021 |
| Box 1 | Photograph 1.1 | Chicago skyline, view from Ashland and Lake El station, 2011 |
| Box 1 | Photograph 1.2 | South Loop, W. Polk Street near S. LaSalle Street with view of Metra train lines, 2005 |
| Box 1 | Photograph 1.3 | 55 E. Monroe Street with view of Adams/Wabash El station stairs, 2010 |
| Box 1 | Photograph 1.4 | Pilsen house party or “Rent Party” with Maxwell Street Pat, Pete Rodriguez and Robert Valdez, 18th and S. Bishop Streets, 1995 |
| Box 1 | Photograph 1.5 | South Loop, alley view, 1981 |
| Box 1 | Photograph 1.6 | [Portage Park], couple at Foreman High School dance, 1994 |
| Box 1 | Photograph 1.7 | Homeless man at Michigan Avenue and Congress Parkway [Ida B. Wells Drive], 1990 |
| Box 1 | Photograph 1.8 | Michigan Avenue, view composed by blending multiple negatives, 2007 |
| Box 1 | Photograph 1.9 | Art Institute South Garden with man smoking, 1978 |
| Box 1 | Photograph 1.10 | Fernando Botero sculpture exhibition in Grant Park, 1994 |
| Box 1 | Photograph 1.11 | Little Village, 26th Street scene of man with baby, 2005 |
| Box 1 | Photograph 1.12 | Couple at a high school dance, 2003 |
| Box 1 | Photograph 1.13 | Jazz musician with child in Washington Park, 1998 |
| Box 1 | Photograph 1.14 | Little Village, 26th Street parade with two women, 2007 |
| Box 1 | Photograph 1.15 | Pride Parade on N. Broadway with motorcycle women, 1998 |
| Box 1 | Photograph 1.16 | View of Loop from Hubbard Street Bridge, view composed by blending multiple negatives, 2006 |
| Box 1 | Photograph 1.17 | Washington Park, music performance, 2002 Summer |
| Box 1 | Photograph 1.18 | [Back of the Yards], window display on W. 47th Street with mannequin heads, 1985 |
| Box 1 | Photograph 1.19 | Pilsen, aerial view from 18th and Halsted Streets, 2005 |
| Box 1 | Photograph 1.20 | Boy on a bicycle at W. 51st Street and S. Racine Avenue, 2004 |
| Box 1 | Photograph 1.21 | Little Village, 26th Street parade, woman in traditional dress, 2005 |
| Box 1 | Photograph 1.22 | View of Art Institute from South Garden, 1995 |
| Box 1 | Photograph 1.23 | Bud Billiken Parade, Bronzeville, young women performers, 2006 |
| Box 1 | Photograph 1.24 | Homeless man with sign on Near West Side, 2010 |
| Box 1 | Photograph 1.25 | [Puerto Rican Parade], young woman with flag, 2002 |
| Box 1 | Photograph 1.26 | “Angel on Michigan Avenue,” street performer, 2008 |
| Box 1 | Photograph 1.27 | White Palace Grill at Roosevelt Road and S. Canal Street, 1995 |
| Box 1 | Photograph 1.28 | Chicago Loop, street view of high rises, 2004 |
| Box 1 | Photograph 1.29 | Person wearing a metallic fabric cap on State Street, 1998 |
| Box 1 | Photograph 1.30 | South Loop, street view of high rises, 2006 |
| Box 2 | Photograph 1.31 | Bridgeport lot, close-up view of discarded wood, 1976 |
| Box 2 | Photograph 1.32 | Female nude, circa 1977-2008 |
| Box 2 | Photograph 1.33 | Bridgeport residence, still life, 1978 |
| Box 2 | Photograph 1.34 | Venice Beach, California, 1984 |
| Box 2 | Photograph 1.35 | Bridgeport residence, still life, 2008 |
| Box 2 | Photograph 1.36 | Bridgeport lot, close-up view of discarded door, 1975 |
| Box 2 | Photograph 1.37 | Bridgeport residence, still life, 1994 |
| Box 2 | Photograph 1.38 | Mérida, Mexico, 1983 |
| Box 2 | Photograph 1.39 | Saint Lucia [Caribbean Island], 1998 |
| Box 2 | Photograph 1.40 | Paris, France, 1996 |
| Box 2 | Photograph 1.41 | Little Italy, New York City, 1989 |
| Box 2 | Photograph 1.42 | Saint Lucia [Caribbean Island], 1995 |
| Box 2 | Photograph 1.43 | Lake Michigan, view with hand, 1978 |
| Box 2 | Photograph 1.44 | Chicago statuary store with busts of Elvis, 1994 |
| Box 2 | Photograph 1.45 | Still life with mask, 1982 |
| Box 2 | Photograph 1.46 | Female nude, circa 1977 |
| Box 2 | Photograph 1.47 | Chicago scene with discarded bassinet, 1977 |
| Box 2 | Photograph 1.48 | Club Stodola, 5553 W. Belmont Avenue, punk rock couple, 1988 |
| Box 2 | Photograph 1.49 | Club Stodola, 5553 W. Belmont Avenue, punk rocker, 1988 |
| Box 2 | Photograph 1.50 | “Rent Party,” Chicago, 1995 |
| Box 2 | Photograph 1.51 | Paris, France, cemetery scene, 1996 |
| Box 2 | Photograph 1.52 | Chicago cemetery scene, 2007 |
| Box 2 | Photograph 1.53 | Chicago alley view, 1990 |
| Box 2 | Photograph 1.54 | Maxwell Street Market, 1986 |
| Box 2 | Photograph 1.55 | Bridgeport, Johnny’Os Hot Dogs, W. 35th and S. Morgan Streets, 2008 |
| Box 2 | Photograph 1.56 | Bridgeport, view with Bob Keska and mural, 1975 |
| Box 2 | Photograph 1.57 | Bridgeport, view with Sam and Irene, 1972 |
| Box 2 | Photograph 1.58 | Bridgeport, children in Halloween costumes, 1975 |
| Box 2 | Photograph 1.59 | Bridgeport, Blackie’s Barber Shop, window display, 1971 |
| Box 2 | Photograph 1.60 | Bridgeport, woman with a baby, circa 1970s |
| Box 2 | Photograph 1.61 | Tammi, portrait, 1996 |
| Box 2 | Photograph 1.62 | New Orleans, cemetery scene, 1992 |
| Box 2 | Photograph 1.63 | Negril, Jamaica, street scene, 1987 |
| Box 3 | Photograph 1.64 | Bridge on W. Webster Avenue near Ashland Avenue looking south, 2011 |
| Box 3 | Photograph 1.65 | Shopper’s Corner at State and Randolph Streets, circa 1975 |
| Box 3 | Photograph 1.66 | Alley near Adams Street and Michigan Avenue, 2000 |
| Box 3 | Photograph 1.67 | Newsstand at Wabash Avenue and Randolph Street, circa 1980s |
| Box 3 | Photograph 1.68 | Chicago Water Tower, circa 1990s |
| Box 3 | Photograph 1.69 | Group of people on N. Halsted Street, 2006 |
| Box 3 | Photograph 1.70 | Art Institute stairway, interior, circa 1990s |
| Box 3 | Photograph 1.71 | Little Village, group of people, circa 2005 |
| Box 3 | Photograph 1.72 | Protester with signs at N. Boadway and W. Belmont Avenue, circa 2005 |
| Box 3 | Photograph 1.73 | Man sleeping on a bus stop bench with an advertisement that reads “making Cadillac’s affordable for everyone,” circa 1975 |
| Box 3 | Photograph 1.74 | [Pride Chicago] celebrations, people in costumes, circa 2005 |
| Box 3 | Photograph 1.75 | Pilsen house party or “Rent Party” with Maxwell Street Pat, 18th and S. Bishop Streets, 1995 |
| Box 3 | Photograph 1.76 | Pride Parade on N. Broadway, circa 1995 |
| Box 3 | Photograph 1.77 | Don’s Grill, 1837 S. Western Avenue, circa 2005 |
| Box 3 | Photograph 1.78 | Willis Tower, circa 2005 |
| Box 3 | Photograph 1.79 | Skyline view of buildings on Wacker Drive, circa 2005 |
| Box 3 | Photograph 1.80 | Woman with children on Chicago’s South Side, circa 2005 |
| Box 3 | Photograph 1.81 | Musical performer at N. State and E. Randolph Streets, circa 2005 |
| Box 3 | Photograph 1.82 | St. Peter’s in the Loop, 1991 |
| Box 3 | Photograph 1.83 | Accordion player, circa 2000 |
| Box 3 | Photograph 1.84 | Foreman High School, students dancing in gymnasium, 1994 |
| Box 3 | Photograph 1.85 | Jazz performers in Washington Park, 2005 |
| Box 3 | Photograph 1.86 | Chicago Public School [South Side] dance with group of students, 1994 |
| Box 3 | Photograph 1.87 | Club Stodola, 5553 W. Belmont Avenue, two people, 1988 |
| Box 3 | Photograph 1.88 | Pilsen graffiti, circa 1992 |
| Box 3 | Photograph 1.89 | Giant snow globe in Grant Park near Washington Street, circa 1998 |
| Box 3 | Photograph 1.90 | View from Hubbard Street Bridge [Pedestrian Overpass?] at night, circa 1990s |
| Box 3 | Photograph 1.91 | Street scene at N. Clark Street near W. Fullerton Avenue, circa 1978 |
| Box 3 | Photograph 1.92 | Skyline view at night, circa 1980s |
| Box 3 | Photograph 1.93 | Pilsen street view on W. 18th Street near S. Wood Street, circa 2010 |
| Box 4 | Photograph 1.94 | Maxwell Street Market, circa 2004 |
| Box 4 | Photograph 1.95 | Maxwell Street Market, circa 2004 |
| Box 4 | Photograph 1.96 | Maxwell Street Market, musical performers, circa 1985 |
| Box 4 | Photograph 1.97 | Maxwell Street Market, musical performers, circa 1985 |
| Box 4 | Photographs 1.98-199 | Pilsen, children in Halloween costumes around W. 18th and S. Bishop Streets (2), circa 1995 |
| Box 4 | Photograph 1.100 | Latin Kruiserz Motorcycle Association Chicago in Little Village, 2004 |
| Box 4 | Photograph 1.101 | Mexican Independence Day Parade, Little Village street view, circa 1995 |
| Box 4 | Photograph 1.102 | “Train shack,” near S. Archer Avenue and S. State Street, 1975 |
| Box 4 | Photograph 1.103 | “Batman” [man with Batman mask] on N. Halsted Street, circa 1995 |
| Box 4 | Photograph 1.104 | John’s Red Hots, N. Halsted Street near W. Randoph Street, 1975 |
| Box 4 | Photograph 1.105 | Par-a-dise Klub, 18th and Halsted Streets, 1980 |
| Box 4 | Photograph 1.106 | Bridgeport - skyline view at night from Palmisano Park, 29th and S. Hasted Streets, 2015 |
| Box 4 | Photograph 1.107 | Bridgeport - 1224 S. 33rd Street, 1975 |
| Box 4 | Photograph 1.108 | Bridgeport - aerial neighborhood view looking east, circa 1977 |
| Box 4 | Photograph 1.109 | Bridgeport - photo collage with street view of W. 33rd Street near S. Morgan Street, circa 1975 |
| Box 4 | Photograph 1.110 | Bridgeport - street scene with children at W. 33rd Street and S. Racine Avenue, 1975 |
| Box 4 | Photograph 1.111 | Bridgeport - Feliciano Grocery, 1975 |
| Box 4 | Photograph 1.112 | Bridgeport - alley scene with child, circa 1975 |
| Box 4 | Photograph 1.113 | Bridgeport - shoe repair business, W. 32nd Place and May Street, 1976 |
| Box 4 | Photograph 1.114 | Bridgeport - street scene with family, 1974 |
| Box 4 | Photograph 1.115 | Bridgeport - photographic double exposure of paperboy and St. Mary’s Church, 1976 |
| Box 4 | Photograph 1.116 | Bridgeport - 11th Ward Democratic office, S. Halsted Street, 1977 |
| Box 4 | Photograph 1.117 | Bridgeport - children in Halloween costumes on S. Racine Avenue, 1976 |
| Box 4 | Photograph 1.118 | Bridgeport - fast food restaurant at S. Archer Avenue and S. Loomis Street, 2012 |
| Box 4 | Photographs 1.119-1.120 | Bridgeport - W. 33rd Street scene with young people (2), 1975 |
| Box 4 | Photograph 1.121 | Bridgeport - Tony’s Super Mart, S. Halsted and W. 33rd Streets, 1972 |
| Box 4 | Photograph 1.122 | Bridgeport - Anderson’s Fish House, S. Ashland Avenue near S. Archer Avenue, 1975 |
| Box 4 | Photograph 1.123 | Bridgeport - boat docked at Anderson’s Fish House, S. Ashland Avenue near S. Archer Avenue, circa 1970s |
| Box 4 | Photograph 1.124 | Bridgeport - street view of houses on W. 33rd Street near S. Racine Avenue, circa 1975 |
| Box 4 | Photograph 1.125 | Bridgeport - Jan Pocius and Paulette with children Ivan, Amber, and “Chief,” 1975 |
| Box 4 | Photograph 1.126 | Bridgeport - Alan Pocius with friends, S. Racine Avenue, circa 1960s |
| Box 4 | Photograph 1.127 | Bridgeport - women outside knitting at W. 33rd Street, 1972 |
| Box 4 | Photograph 1.128 | Bridgeport - street view of houses on W. 32nd and S. May Streets, 1976 |
| Box 4 | Photograph 1.129 | Bridgeport - Irene Pocius in the kitchen, 1972 |
| Box 4 | Photograph 1.130 | Bridgeport - St. George Catholic Church, grotto, 1968 |
| Box 5 | Folder 1 | 1968 Events - photograph captions by Mick Pocius based on his experience and index, 2024 |
| Box 5 | Photographs 1.131, 1.134, 1.142, 1.146, 1.152-1.154 | 1968 Events - Democratic National Convention protest, Lincoln Park (7), 1968 |
| Box 5 | Photograph 1.132 | Fort Campbell, Kentucky, basic training, 1969 |
| Box 5 | Photographs 1.133, 1.140 | 1968 Events - Democratic National Convention protest, Lincoln Park, includes Allen Ginsberg (2), 1968 |
| Box 5 | Photographs 1.135-1.136 | 1968 Events - 1968 Events - Democratic National Convention protest, Lincoln Park, includes MC5 (2), 1968 |
| Box 5 | Photographs 1.137-1.138, 1.145, 1.148, 1.155 | 1968 Events - 1968 Events - Democratic National Convention protest, Grant Park (5), 1968 |
| Box 5 | Photograph 1.141 | 1968 Events - Democratic National Convention protest, Lincoln Park, includes Sonny Bono, 1968 |
| Box 5 | Photographs 1.143, 1.147 | 1968 Events - Democratic National Convention protest, Grant Park, includes Yippies mock nomination of a pig (2), 1968 |
| Box 5 | Photograph 1.144 | 1968 Events - West Side patrol by National Guard following assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., 1968 |
| Box 5 | Photograph 1.149 | 1968 Events - 1968 Events - Democratic National Convention protest, Lincoln Park, includes Mike Pocius, 1968 |
| Box 5 | Photographs 1.150-1.151 | 1968 Events - 1968 Events - 1968 Events - Democratic National Convention protest, Grant Park, includes Phil Ochs (2), 1968 |
