Chicago - Metropolis of the Prairie

Chicago was the epitome of the raw power of the growing West.  In 1850,  it was known as the "Mudhole of the Prairie" with just 30,000 people.  The buildings were slowly sinking into the mud and the streets, which were barely above the level of Lake Michigan, were more swamps than land.

The city began to raise itself up by its bootstraps.  The Tremont House, as an example, was raised eight feet by using 5,000 jacks and 1,200 workmen.  By 1860, the population had tripled and streets were crowded with cattle wagons, hog wagons, wheat and corn wagons, and farm machinery on their way to 5,000 miles of railroad tracks.  The Civil War brought increased industrial and commercial activity.  By 1870, the population had again tripled to 300,000 people.

The greatest challenge to the growing city came in 1871 with the Great Fire which burned 3 1/2 square miles of buildings and gutted the business district.  "Chicago Shall Rise Again" wrote Joseph Medill of the Chicago Tribune and it did...by 1875 hardly  a trace of the fire remained.  The US railroad hub, Union Station, went on to be the leader in meat packing, grain trading, and farm machinery manufacture to the West.

In the midst of the economic depression of 1893, Chicago put on the World's Columbian Exposition which showed the world 19th century achievements in science, technology and the arts.  With the first extensive display of outdoor electric lighting, Chicago showcased the future and earned the name of the "youngest of the world's greatest cities."  She had come of age!

Next time...The Blog will be back in December with a look at America's National Parks
                    Happy Thanksgiving!
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Today in Pioneer History:  "On November 22,  1718,  Blackbeard is killed off the coast of Virginia by the British in a bloody naval battle.