When the Shark Came to Chicago: The 1955 Lake Michigan Attack

Lake Michigan has long been a haven for Chicagoans seeking respite from the summer heat—a place for picnics, swimming, and sunbathing. But in the summer of 1955, the tranquil waters of this great lake became the scene of a chilling encounter: a shark attack that left an indelible mark on the city’s history.

It was a warm afternoon, and 12-year-old George Lawson was wading just beyond the shoreline near Chicago’s Montrose Beach. The lake’s waves lapped at his legs, and families relaxed under umbrellas along the sand. No one suspected that a predator—one more suited to the saltwater oceans—was lurking beneath the lake’s surface.

Without warning, George let out a scream that echoed across the beach. Lifeguards and beachgoers rushed to the water’s edge, where they saw the boy thrashing and blood swirling in the waves. A nearby fisherman, John Adler, rowed furiously toward George and managed to haul him into his small boat. What he saw stunned him: most of George’s right leg had been torn away.

The idea of a shark in Lake Michigan might sound impossible, but it's not as far-fetched as it seems. Bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas) are known for their ability to survive in both saltwater and freshwater environments. Their unique physiology allows them to regulate salt levels in their bodies, enabling them to navigate rivers and even venture into lakes far inland. These sharks have been documented swimming thousands of miles up the Mississippi River, making their way into tributaries and, potentially, the Great Lakes.

Experts at the time struggled to explain how a shark could reach Chicago’s shoreline, but the evidence was undeniable: a local hospital treated George’s horrific injuries, and lifeguards combed the beach for any sign of the animal. Some reported seeing a dark shape in the water, but it disappeared as quickly as it had appeared.

In the days that followed, fear rippled across Chicago’s beaches. Newspapers splashed the story across their front pages, warning swimmers to be cautious. City officials closed parts of the lakefront to swimming, and patrol boats scanned the waters for any sign of the shark. Fishermen reported seeing large shadows beneath their boats, and some claimed to have hooked something big—only to have it snap their lines and vanish into the depths.

George survived his ordeal but bore the scars of that day for the rest of his life. His story became a cautionary tale—a reminder that even in the heart of the Midwest, nature’s most fearsome predators can sometimes defy the odds and find their way into unexpected places.

Decades after the 1955 incident, the mystery of sharks in the Great Lakes continues to captivate the public imagination. One of the most intriguing developments in this phenomenon is the Great Lakes Freshwater Shark Search Project, a grassroots research movement spearheaded by explorer and TikToker Jordan Adrift. Combining citizen science with viral content, Adrift has garnered a following of amateur researchers, divers, and curious locals determined to explore what might be lurking beneath the surface.

The project’s goals include:

• Investigating past shark sightings or remains found in and around the Great Lakes

• Promoting underwater exploration using sonar and drone technology

• Encouraging the public to report unusual findings or footage

• Raising awareness of freshwater ecosystems and their biodiversity

While mainstream science continues to treat the idea with skepticism, the project has struck a chord with many, offering a blend of adventure, mystery, and social media storytelling.

The 1955 Lake Michigan shark attack remains one of Chicago’s most haunting and enduring mysteries. Whether carried in by the river or an accidental wanderer from the sea, the shark that struck that day left behind more than just physical scars. It left an entire city with a chilling reminder that sometimes, the line between safety and danger is as thin as a summer’s wave on the beach.