[2] The squatters eventually moved a short distance north to an area on the east side of the river between Chicago Avenue and Division Street, site of the present-day Goose Island.

For most of the residents, daily life hovered between rural and urban, with many raising livestock while also working in nearby factories.

Over 100 units of housing were built in a three-block area to accommodate the new residents and taverns and bars opened.

In the late 19th century, Peoples Gas, Light & Coke Co. purchased land on the east of the island for industrial plants.

In 1992 following the closure of the section of Ogden Avenue that ran to the north-east of the island the viaduct was demolished.

[20] Goose Island has been a site of redevelopment of former industrial locations to residential and mixed-use towers and high rises, similar to the River North, Fulton Market and Pilsen neighborhoods of the city.

Major land sites and warehouses have been developed or converted into modern manufacturing and creative loft-office space and towers on the island, including the Wrigley Corporation's research and development facility at the north end of the island and the former Sara Lee Corporation headquarters at the southern end of the island (since re-purposed as Kendall College).

New Goose Island developments include 909 West Bliss Street, an adaptive re-use warehouse renovation and 934 North Branch Street, a 3.5 acre land site adjacent to the Chicago River.

Amazon, Inc. has leased a warehouse on the island to serve as an urban ultra-local distribution hub for "Prime Now" one- and two-hour deliveries to residents around the city.