Ruins of buildings along booksellers row in chicago. Selected materials at chicago public library covering both primary. Before the fire there was a large drought causing everything to be dry and flammable, then a fire broke out in the olearys barn and spread. The fire finally abated as the winds from the frontal system diminished and a light drizzle began falling late that monday night. Tuesday oct 10, 1871 was the day the fire was put out, it took two full days of work to put out the big fire. The neighborhood was mostly comprised of jewish immigrants of various. The great chicago fire started on october 8th 1871 and raged for almost two days, burning its major business district and the north before it eventually burned out. Recently the smithsonian published an article, what did chicago look like before the great fire, on digital mapping. The chicago fire of 1871, also called the great chicago fire, burned from october 8 to october 10, 1871, and destroyed thousands of. A new map and timeline explains where and how the devastating fire spread on oct 8, 1871 photograph. Ten things about the great chicago fire interesting chicago. In its wake, the great chicago fire destroyed an area about four miles long and averaged three quarter mile wide. Before the fire there had been many fires in the week before the great chicago fire so all of the fireman were exhausted. A timeline created with timetoasts interactive timeline maker.
In 1871, the most famous fire in american history swept across chicago and destroyed much of the city. On october 8, 1871, a fire began on dekoven street in a barn owned by catherine and patrick oleary. This 1868 pocket map of chicago shows the city in fullblown expansion, a mere 3 years before the infamous blaze. The great chicago fire university of chicago library. Home the great chicago fire the great conflagration the refugees. The great chicago fire of 1871 chicagos population had exploded from about 4,000 people when it gained its first city charter in 1837, to 30,000 in 1850, then to an astounding 330,000 by 1871.
Chicago on fire american experience official site pbs. The media blames it on catherine olearys cow, which purportedly kicked over a lantern. Legend has it that on the evening of october 7, 1871, mrs. The summer had been the hottest and driest of many seasons, and october. Chicago firethe smokeamerican historymapsociologytimelineinfographicsthursdayimage.
Many protestants are on hand to witness the subdued splendor of the sacred ceremonies. In 1870, one year before the conflagration, chicago was the 5th largest city in the united states. Now in paperback, the great chicago fire presents a complete narrative history of the 1871 fire that destroyed 73,000 miles of streets and 17,500 buildings, and which left 100,000 people homeless. The chicago fire of 1871, also called the great chicago fire, burned from october 8 to october 10, 1871, and destroyed thousands of buildings, killed an. This miniunit of multiple genres is designed for a 6th grade english language arts class. The fire destroys over 10,000 buildings and left the city in ruins. Selected materials at chicago public library covering both primary source accounts and books about the impact of the conflagration. The great chicago fire, 1871 a picture from the past the great chicago fire was a blaze lasting for two days from 8 october 1871. It was a devastating disaster which happened in chicago, illinois, destroying peace and silence in the community. The fire lasted two days, killing 300 people, and destroying most of chicago. More than 150 photographs and illustrations help tell the inspiring story of a heroic american city originally published. Their requests for more men and better equitment had been denied. Before the fire there was a large drought causing everything to be dry and flammable, then a fire broke out in. Before the great chicago fire, no one took notice of patrick and catherine oleary, two irish immigrants who lived with their five children on the citys west side.
This, he said, is the last public address that will be delivered within these walls. One of his stops was at the shingled cottage of patrick and atherine oleary. This day in history great chicago fire begins 1871 the. The anniversary of the great chicago fire is tomorrow. But the great chicago fire of twoandahalf months earlier has made the day more somber than usual. The great chicago fire, as the horror happened in 1871 and. Consult the database of historic american newspapers, chronicling america, to find newspaper coverage of the chicago fire as well as the other fires in the midwest. Site of the origin of the great chicago fire of 1871 the great chicago fire began october 8, 1871, in the oleary barn on dekoven street. In the incident, a fire started at one of the buildings located in the centre of chicago city. Stereograph, the library of congress ruins after the great fire of oct. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the great chicago fire.
It destroyed over 17,000 buildings, left 100,000 homeless and. Title ruins of buildings along booksellers row in chicago, illinois, following the great fire of 1871 contributor names greene, p. From the evening of october 8, 1871, until the early hours of tuesday, october 10, 1871, chicago was essentially defenseless against the enormous fire. History of the great chicago fire, october 8, 9, and 10, 1871. The great fire of chicago started on october 8, 1871, at around 9 oclock in the. A novel study for i survived the great chicago fire, 1871 by lauren tarshis. When quoting material from this collection, the preferred citation is. Loosely based on the great chicago fire of 1871, this game directs the player to save the city and stop the various fires consuming the playfield. Great chicago fire simple english wikipedia, the free. On october 8, 1871, a fire broke out in a barn on the southwest side of chicago, illinois.
The great chicago fire, 1871 a picture from the past art. Oct 06, 2015 here are five things you probably didnt know about the great chicago fire that burned from oct. The fire began on october 8, 1871 and burned for two days until october 10th. The fire killed approximately 300 people, destroyed roughly 3. In chicago s most impressive christmas observance, four thousand catholic worshippers attend a 4 a. Louis as the fourthlargest city in america and sat poised to become a major player on the international scene. The great chicago fire was a disastrous incident that took place on october 8, 1871.
On october 8, 1871, chicago just about burned to the ground during a two day conflagration. On the saturday evening of october 7, 1871, a man named george francis train stood on the stage of chicagos farwell hall and, in the midst of his speech, made a statement that added to his fame as an author, world traveler, and lecturer an extra dimension of uncanny prophecy. Oct 04, 2012 before the great chicago fire, no one took notice of patrick and catherine oleary, two irish immigrants who lived with their five children on the citys west side. Chicago s growth in the mid19th century was unprecedented. The chicago fire of 1871 and the great rebuilding national. On the droughtstricken evening that the fire started, a 30mileperhour wind was blowing from the southwest.
Over 60,000 buildings 90% made of wood were squeezed into the city limits, along with hundreds of miles of wooden streets and sidewalks. The great chicago fire was one of the major news stories of the 19th century. The unit presents three 60mintute lessons around the topic of the great chicago fire that burned from sunday, october 8, to early tuesday, october 10, 1871. While the great chicago fire was one of the major disasters of the 19th century and a profound blow to the city, the city was rebuilt fairly quickly.
Before the fire there was a large drought causing everything to be dry and flammable, then a fire broke out in the olearys barn and spread throughout the city. The great chicago fire of 1871 disasters in history by kay melchisedech olson, barnett iii, charles, et al. The great chicago fire posted on oct 08, 20, by margaret schilt october 8 is the 142nd anniversary of the beginning of the great chicago fire, which finally burned itself out on october 10, 1871, having killed 200300 people and reduced 3. Millionaires rendered penniless in a day, the fire still raging, read the october 10, 1871 newyork tribune, one day after what became to be known as the great chicago fire. Months without rain had parched the city, and a major fire the previous night had exhausted firefighters and damaged equipment. One of the disastrous events during his presidency was the great chicago fire of 1871. Excerpt from the great fire by jim murphy 1 it was sunday and an unusuallywarm evening for october eighth, so daniel peg leg sullivan left his stifling little house in the west side of chicago and went to visit neighbors. The great chicago fire of 1871 destroyed a major american city, making it one of the great disasters of the 19th century. Polk and canal streets, chicago tribune, october 10, 1871. Legend has it that a cow kicked over a lantern in a barn and started the fire. Aug 27, 20 what did chicago look like before the great fire. A close reading of the great fire by jim murphy excerpt. On october 8, 1871, flames spark in the chicago barn of patrick and catherine oleary, igniting a twoday blaze that kills between 200 and 300 people, destroys 17,450 buildings, leaves 100,000.
While the cause of the blaze is unknown, its origin was at 558 west dekoven streetan address that today is home to a chicago fire. State street in chicago, after the great chicago fire, 1871. An 1871 harpers magazine illustration that shows mrs. The population reached nearly 30,000 in 1850 and was triple that a decade later. The great chicago fire of 1871 essay 1465 words bartleby. For more than 24 hours, the fire burned through the heart. Practically overnight the great city of chicago was destroyed. On october 8th, a fire broke out in the west side of chicago. Also known as the second fire of chicago, the chicago fire of 1874 took place on the evening of july 14th in an area neighboring that of the great chicago fire of 1871. I just finished a brand new book entitled the great. Sep 30, 2011 for those interested in chicago s history the weather channels short videos on this fire are linked together here for the first time. History us history before 1900 the great chicago fire was one of the worst disasters in u. The board of police and fire commissioners, gathered at a special meeting, orders that from nightfall until 9.
Impact of the chicago fire of 1874 fire safety learning. Chapin, originally published in an 1871 issue of harpers weekly. We learned of the great fire that had occurred the night before. This bundle contains 11 readytouse great chicago fire worksheets that are perfect for students who want to learn more about the great chicago fire which occurred on october 8, 1871. When the fire brigades general alarm bells sounded on the night of october 8, 1871, most chicagoans paid no special notice. May 12, 2015 in 1871, the most famous fire in american history swept across chicago and destroyed much of the city. October 810, 1871 in october 1871, chicago was the fourth largest city in the united states with over 334,000 residents. This novel study divides i survived the great chicago fire, 1871 into five sections for study. Advancing northward for 36 hours, the inferno destroyed three and a half square miles in the heart of the city, leveling more than 18,000 structures. It was designed by barry oursler with artwork and models by mark sprenger. The great chicago fire of 1871 essay milestone in illinois. Topics in chronicling america the great chicago fire of 1871.
The great chicago fire destroyed a major american city, making it one of the most destructive disasters of the 19th century. The chicago tribune had a very detail account in their october 11th issue. An eyewitness account of the great chicago fire, 1871. On october 8, 1871, a devastating disaster happened in chicago, illinois, destroying.
Jul 09, 2014 topics in chronicling america the great chicago fire of 1871 millionaires rendered penniless in a day, the fire still raging, read the october 10, 1871 new york tribune, one day after what would become known as the great chicago fire began. An estimated 300 people died and 100,000 were left homeless by the threeday inferno that erased 2,100 acres of the city. Property damages were estimated at 200 million dollars. November 4, 1871 ichi02881 the great fire in chicago homeless citizens taking refuge from the. Find the perfect 1871 the great chicago fire stock photo. The timeline below highlights important dates related to this topic. The watchman tell firreman the wrong location at first and when they finally get to the real location of the fire, its 9.
Before the fire sunday oct 8, 1871 before the great chicago fire there were two other fires that were unknown of there cause. The fire began in a neighborhood southwest of the city center. According to legend, the great chicago fire was started when a cow owned by an irish immigrant. One does not celebrate the centennial of a great disaster such as the chicago fire of october 1871. On the night of october 8, 1871, fire spread across chicago. It burned until tuesday october 10, 1871 when rain started to fall. A sunday night blaze in a barn quickly spread, and for approximately 30 hours the flames roared through chicago, consuming hastily constructed neighborhoods of immigrant housing as well as the citys business district. The great chicago fire timeline timetoast timelines. While the cause of the blaze is unknown, its origin was at 558 west dekoven streetan address that today is home to a chicago fire department training facility. Oct 08, 2015 144 years ago, the great fire of chicago took over the city, causing hundreds of millions of dollars in damages. Thousands of homes were reduced to cinders, along with hotels, department stores, newspapers, and government offices.
The great chicago fire of october 810, 1871 left approximately 300 people dead and 100,000 homeless of a population of 300,000. Visualizing chicago before the great fire sassy jane. Sep 08, 2015 listen as casey grant from the national fire protection association and bestselling author lauren tarshsis of the i survived book series talk about the lessons we learned from the great. Seven buildings that survived the great chicago fire of 1871. One of the only building to not burn down in the great chicago fire of i.
However, the fire in chicago made more headlines in newspapers across the country because it had happened in a major city and so many buildings destroyed. Catherine olearys cow kicked over a lantern, touching off the great chicago fire. But such a centennial is an occasion to be observed with awe at the sudden destruction of so many lives and so much property, and with respect for the indomitable spirit of the chicagoans of that day. Learys cow when the cow kicked over a lantern and a fire started in the hay. Chicagos growth in the mid19th century was unprecedented. The great fire of chicago started on october 8, 1871, at around 9 oclock in the evening until the morning of the 10th. The great chicago fire of 1871, was a vast, 2day inferno that consumed more than 3 acres of land, killed 300 people and untold animals, and made another 100,000 residents homeless onethird of the population. The fire originated on october 8, 1871 and spanned over the course of two days. At a meeting of residents of chicagos north division and of the adjoining town of lakeview, the committee on local improvements. Timothy roseflickr creative commons the great chicago fire. Topics in chronicling america to see a selection of articles and tips on searching this extensive collection of digitized newspapers.
The great chicago fire of 1871 timeline timetoast timelines. Fueled by a galeforce wind, this blaze grew into the great chicago fire. With so many wooden structures still in place, it was easy for the chicago fire of 1874 to happen. Track the path of the fire and read accounts of people who lived through it, in this interactive timeline and map. The great chicago fire of 1871 was one of the largest disasters in american history.
If you have a lot of ancestors in chicago, like i do, inevitably you find yourself wondering about life there before 1871. Only a trace of rain had fallen since the first of. The great chicago fire happened 143 years ago tomorrow. The chicago fire of 1874 was the impetus for implementation of fire and life safety measures under discussion since the great chicago fire of 1871. On the saturday evening of october 7, 1871, a man named george francis train stood on the stage of chicago s farwell hall and, in the midst of his speech, made a statement that added to his fame as an author, world traveler, and lecturer an extra dimension of uncanny prophecy. How did the great chicago fire of 1871 impact chicago and its architecture. While chicago burned records of an obscure court case yield new details on the 1871 fire. Olearys cow kindle edition by bales, richard f download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Jun 19, 2015 explore stacynandersen5s board great chicago fire 1871. A guide for researching the topic of the great chicago fire of 1871 in the.
Sunday oct 8, 1871 before the great chicago fire there were two other fires that were unknown of there cause. The great chicago fire of 1871 living history of illinois. In the united states, the most memorable conflagration prior to that which has just devastated chicago, was the great fire in new york, in 1835, which extended from east of broadway and south or below wall street, destroying 648 stores, the merchants exchange, and the south dutch church. The great chicago fire was a large fire that started on sunday october 8, 1871 in chicago, illinois, united states. Chicago fire of 1871, conflagration that began on october 8, 1871, and burned until early october 10, devastating an expansive swath of the city of chicago.
268 636 851 1454 800 1170 1496 249 1493 1362 677 1136 1331 236 1160 440 562 796 559 80 1057 1235 116 1145 1336 327 115 1501 834 959 521 250 1277 1355 1107 340 854 1399 356 1202 259