Great Chicago Fire

As It Happened: THE GREAT CHICAGO FIRE In 1871, Chicago was one of the fastest growing cities in America, a bustling industrial and commercial hub at the center of the United States. 15 Early morning, October 10th The fire is brought under control by a combination of rain, Lake Michigan acting as a natural firebreak, and large empty lots on the north side, leaving the fire without fuel. But on an unusually dry and warm October night, a fire started on Chicago's south side. Afternoon of October 9th As the fire continues to burn through the north side, residents cannot move west. So, they attempt to evacuate via Lincoln Ave, in the path of the fire. By the time it was finished burning: 100,000 people 13 10 a.m. noon The military under General Philip H. Sheridan begins blowing up buildings along Michigan Ave to slow the fire's progress. had lost their homes, and 300 people were killed. Morning of October 9th Residents all along the north side flee east to the edge of Lake Michigan. People wade out into the water as Michigan Ave (then the edge of the city) blazes. 17,000 buildings were destroyed, 6 a.m. -an estimated The Illinois Central Railroad Depot and $200 million McCormick Reaper Works burn down. in damages, or $5.6 billion in today's terms. Division St 4 a.m. Spot fires are already burning north of the river, but now the main body of fire leaps the main branch of the Sedgwi Chicago Ave Oak St Whitney St 83 皿 W White s So How Did This Happen? Chicago River and begins to burn through the north side. Erle st 3:30 a.m. Midnight - 2:00 a.m. Ontario S Burning embers cause kets The fire engulfs the poor Irish shantytown of Conley's Patch, where it claims many of its 300 victims. iinois S the wooden roof of the city Waterworks to catch fire and destroy. 11:30 p.m. 10 Firefighters had hoped the river would contain the blaze, but the fire ignites the waste and oil on the surface of the Randolph St Washington st The wind not only spreads the fire, but also makes it extremely difficult to fight by blowing it into walls as tall as 100 feet. The wind creates river, and the wooden bridges and riverside warehouses fuel the fire. 5 Monroe st 'fire whirls' which shoot burning embers into the air, creating spot fires ahead of the main fire's path. Jackson St Van Buren St Canal St Lake Michigan October 8th, 8:30 p.m. Harrison St 2:20 a.m. Sebor se On an unusually warm and dry October night, a fire starts in the O'Leary family barn at DeKovep and Jefferson streets. Ewing Stalsworth S 3 Dekoven st on St The fire reaches the city courthouse. The mayor orders that the courthouse's prisoners be evacuated. As the courthouse collapses, its bell drops to the ground and makes a sound that could be heard from Kramerst miles away. Barber 10:00 p.m. October 9th, Midnight Belden Ave Seven fire companies arrive, but they are too late to control the fire. Gas Works to explode. 16th St The fire causes the South Side Halsted St Canalport Ave Around 9:30 p.m. A watchman spots the fire, but reports the location as Canalport and Halstead. Canalport Ave Sources: pbs.org/wgbh/amex/chicago/maps/chicago_fire_text.html Presented by: press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/735486.html greatchicagofire.org/landmarks/court-house quod.lib.umich.edu/m/moa/AJA3021.0001.001/1:5?rgn =div1;view = fulltext upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3a/Great_Chicago_Fire_map_with_starting_point.jpg ChicagoHistoryMuseum CRUISES