When someone mentions the Great Chicago Fire most people just think of the cow that tipped over the oil lantern, but there was really a lot more to it. 18,000 wood buildings were destroyed, 100,000 people were left homeless, and 120 bodies were found but it is estimated that about 300 people died. There is a debate about whether or not the fire left a negative or positive impact in the long run. The negative effects were all the damage done to the city, the amount of people left homeless, and the people who lost their lives. The positive effects were the more secure city that was rebuilt after, the discoveries on materials that could make people safer, and the laws that would make people safer. Although the old city was burnt down and there
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Chicago was originally made to be a water transit hub because of the several bodies of water near the city, like Lake Michigan and the Chicago river. In 1848 the first City Hall was built, validating Chicago as a real city. Not long after, the first railroad was built; eventually there were seven main railroads, all of which are gone today. (History.com) At one point Chicago was even the world’s largest grain port. Before the fire and before the rebuilding almost all of the buildings were made out of wood, meaning everything was quite simple. Chicago has always been a busy city, but at this time it was booming. Because of the many European immigrants, the population had increased to 30,000 by 1854. They even had to fill the shoreline of Lake Michigan to make more land for all the newcomers. …show more content…
Chicago is the second biggest city in the country and without the rebuilding after the fire that wouldn’t be possible. When chicago was first built almost everything was made out of wood so it is possible that some buildings from that time could still be around today if they weren’t burned down. There would also probably be a lot more greenery because there wouldn’t be as many buildings. Even if the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 never happened, another fire just as big probably would have because of the densely wooded areas. Although, because the population is always increasing and Chicago is a busy city it is possible that all the skyscrapers would be built, just a lot later. Styles and techniques are always changing so as time passed buildings probably would’ve been updated or reconstructed
Chicago was originally made to be a water transit hub because of the several bodies of water near the city, like Lake Michigan and the Chicago river. In 1848 the first City Hall was built, validating Chicago as a real city. Not long after, the first railroad was built; eventually there were seven main railroads, all of which are gone today. (History.com) At one point Chicago was even the world’s largest grain port. Before the fire and before the rebuilding almost all of the buildings were made out of wood, meaning everything was quite simple. Chicago has always been a busy city, but at this time it was booming. Because of the many European immigrants, the population had increased to 30,000 by 1854. They even had to fill the shoreline of Lake Michigan to make more land for all the newcomers. …show more content…
Chicago is the second biggest city in the country and without the rebuilding after the fire that wouldn’t be possible. When chicago was first built almost everything was made out of wood so it is possible that some buildings from that time could still be around today if they weren’t burned down. There would also probably be a lot more greenery because there wouldn’t be as many buildings. Even if the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 never happened, another fire just as big probably would have because of the densely wooded areas. Although, because the population is always increasing and Chicago is a busy city it is possible that all the skyscrapers would be built, just a lot later. Styles and techniques are always changing so as time passed buildings probably would’ve been updated or reconstructed