CHICAGO: THE GREAT FIRE AND REBUILDING

In October 1871, a fire destroyed one-third of Chicago and left more than 100,000 homeless. Its initial spark remains unknown (legends of Mrs. O’Leary’s lantern-kicking cow notwithstanding), but it was fueled by drought, high winds and wooden buildings. The factories and railroads were largely spared, and the city rebuilt with astonishing speed. In the late … More CHICAGO: THE GREAT FIRE AND REBUILDING