Chicago began as a city based mainly on commerce based on its location alongside the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. As a result of these two natural landmarks, its location was only logical for setting up a crossroad between the West and the East, as well as an area of trading between the natives and settlers. Over time however, Chicago will keep its label as a city based on commerce however will begin a transition towards a true modern city for residents that can even rival the likes of New York. As a result, the most significant change in Chicago during the 19th century is the development of Chicago’s architecture which allows Chicago to transform from a uninspiring city to a modern metropolis. Initially, Chicago’s architecture was basic,
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Julian Ralph, a man who visits Chicago during 1892 describes these new skyscrapers that appear as being “artistically designed” as well as “[hiding] their size in well-balanced proportions” despite being very tall for their time. Here Julian describes Chicago’s architecture as being intricate which contrasts to Harriet Martineau’s description of Chicago as being bare and raw, where as a result of these couple dozen new skyscrapers, Chicago is given a new label as being elegant because of the grandeur of its buildings. It is because of these advances in architecture that allow Chicago to shake that previous identity Martineau gives Chicago. Chicago’s architecture as a result was one of the most significant changes for that city with in the 19th century in that respect. Julian Ralph also claims that the buildings in New York City aren’t as tall as Chicago’s and that no building within Chicago can compare to Chicago’s Chamber of Commerce building, which is a significant claim because New York City is known within the United States for its elegance and wealth, and putting Chicago above or at least within the same category as New York is a significant bump in stature. Therefore Julian Ralph essentially claims that Chicago’s buildings have their own charm to the m that allow them to compete with the beauty and size of New York, which shows the importance of architecture in Chicago’s history as it
Julian Ralph, a man who visits Chicago during 1892 describes these new skyscrapers that appear as being “artistically designed” as well as “[hiding] their size in well-balanced proportions” despite being very tall for their time. Here Julian describes Chicago’s architecture as being intricate which contrasts to Harriet Martineau’s description of Chicago as being bare and raw, where as a result of these couple dozen new skyscrapers, Chicago is given a new label as being elegant because of the grandeur of its buildings. It is because of these advances in architecture that allow Chicago to shake that previous identity Martineau gives Chicago. Chicago’s architecture as a result was one of the most significant changes for that city with in the 19th century in that respect. Julian Ralph also claims that the buildings in New York City aren’t as tall as Chicago’s and that no building within Chicago can compare to Chicago’s Chamber of Commerce building, which is a significant claim because New York City is known within the United States for its elegance and wealth, and putting Chicago above or at least within the same category as New York is a significant bump in stature. Therefore Julian Ralph essentially claims that Chicago’s buildings have their own charm to the m that allow them to compete with the beauty and size of New York, which shows the importance of architecture in Chicago’s history as it