As the land rose up out of the water squatters began to take residence, leading to disputes with lakefront property owners.

However the city would not stand for it, and after legal battles (some of which included gun fights) Streeter was evicted and the land, which was eventually filled in, became part of Chicago and became known as Streeterville.

[citation needed] A radio advertisement for mattresses, in the 1970s, featured a child reading a letter he was writing to the Sandman.

Chicago pop-punk band Knuckle Puck released a song titled "Oak Street" on their "While I Stay Secluded" EP.

Chicago hip-hop artist Chance The Rapper mentions Oak Street Beach in the third verse of his song, Windows.