Chicago 1871
Shot from: Chicago Historical Society
Project: Taking Measures Across Chicago
Application: Photoshop / QuarkXPress / Acrobat
Great Fire, one of the most devastating in American history, destroyed the heart of Chicago 300 Chicagoans were dead, 100,000 homeless, and the property loss was $200 million.
No one knows how the fire started in the cowbarn at the rear of the Patrick O'Leary cottage at 137 DeKoven Street on Chicago's West Side. The blaze began about 9 p.m. on Sunday, October 8, 1871. By midnight the fire had jumped the river's south branch and by 1:30 a.m., the business district was in flames. Shortly thereafter the fire raced northward across the main river. Both the south and main branches of the Chicago River, and that the North Division suffered the most extensive damage.
The waterworks were evacuated although the tower was not badly damaged and still stands. During Monday the fire burned as far as Fullerton Avenue. Rainfall which started about midnight helped put out the last of the flames.
Chicago quickly rebuilt and by 1875 little evidence of the disaster remained. The 100th anniversary of the fire was commemorated during the period October 3-10, 1971, with a series of events including a fire centennial dinner during which the Mayor expressed thanks to cities and countries that sent money after the fire. Other events were a fire prevention parade on State Street and an enormous lakefront fireworks display.
1869 Chicago Water Tower
In May of 1969, during the year of its Centennial Anniversary, the Chicago Water Tower was selected by the American Water Works Association to be the first American Water Landmark in the nation. The tower was completed in 1869 and survived the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The architect was William W. Boyington and the tower is constructed of Joliet limestone blocks quarried in Illinois.
Chicago 1871
Shot from: Chicago Historical Society
Project: Taking Measures Across Chicago
Application: Photoshop / QuarkXPress / Acrobat
Great Fire, one of the most devastating in American history, destroyed the heart of Chicago 300 Chicagoans were dead, 100,000 homeless, and the property loss was $200 million.
No one knows how the fire started in the cowbarn at the rear of the Patrick O'Leary cottage at 137 DeKoven Street on Chicago's West Side. The blaze began about 9 p.m. on Sunday, October 8, 1871. By midnight the fire had jumped the river's south branch and by 1:30 a.m., the business district was in flames. Shortly thereafter the fire raced northward across the main river. Both the south and main branches of the Chicago River, and that the North Division suffered the most extensive damage.
The waterworks were evacuated although the tower was not badly damaged and still stands. During Monday the fire burned as far as Fullerton Avenue. Rainfall which started about midnight helped put out the last of the flames.
Chicago quickly rebuilt and by 1875 little evidence of the disaster remained. The 100th anniversary of the fire was commemorated during the period October 3-10, 1971, with a series of events including a fire centennial dinner during which the Mayor expressed thanks to cities and countries that sent money after the fire. Other events were a fire prevention parade on State Street and an enormous lakefront fireworks display.
1869 Chicago Water Tower
In May of 1969, during the year of its Centennial Anniversary, the Chicago Water Tower was selected by the American Water Works Association to be the first American Water Landmark in the nation. The tower was completed in 1869 and survived the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The architect was William W. Boyington and the tower is constructed of Joliet limestone blocks quarried in Illinois.