March dates in Marina City history

March 1961 – The last of 154 caissons, that will support Marina City, are buried 115 feet down in a limestone shelf that stretches to Niagara Falls. At the same time, they are estimating how many boats the marina will hold when constructed and figure 700 will be stored using motor-driven racks capable of launching 250 boats per hour.

March 2, 1964 – The National Design Center, a showcase of home furnishings and appliances, opens in the office building that is now Hotel Sax. Also in March, the skating rink opens. And Marina City Bank has $12 million in deposits. According to American Banker magazine, it is one of the 2800 largest banks in the U.S.

(Above) Promotional photo for Ice Follies 1966, performed at the Marina City skating rink that opened this month in 1964.

March 21, 1967 – Police raid a bingo party at Marina City attended by about 200 people affiliated with transportation industries. They arrest one person, the organizer of the party. Charles Ohanian, age 42, is charged with being the keeper of a gambling establishment.

March 25, 1976 – An employee of the Chicago Sun-Times, which was then located on North Wabash Avenue just east of Marina City, spots a body in the Chicago River. It is the beginning of a sad, strange saga involving mistaken identity and insurance fraud. Bill Kurtis covers the story for CBS News.

March 18, 1983 – Marina City Bank is robbed.

March 2002 – According to the U.S. Government, Marina City resident Gary Kimmel begins accepting money from prostitutes and pimps. He will eventually plead guilty to money laundering.