In this episode of The Atlas Obscura Podcast, we learn a little known part of the lives of the people who operated Chicago’s famous drawbridges—how they lived where they worked.

Our podcast is an audio guide to the world’s wondrous, awe-inspiring, strange places. In under 15 minutes, we’ll take you to an incredible site, and along the way you’ll meet some fascinating people and hear their stories. Join us daily, Monday through Thursday, to explore a new wonder with cofounder Dylan Thuras and a neighborhood of Atlas Obscura reporters.