Posts tagged great chicago fire

Ruins of St. Joseph’s, Chicago at Rush, 1871, Chicago. I love this photo for the fact that you can see the photographer’s shadow.

Ruins of St. Joseph’s, Chicago at Rush, 1871, Chicago.

I love this photo for the fact that you can see the photographer’s shadow.

141 years ago today marks start of the Great Fire which would lay the city in ruin. Here is a shot looking north from what is now the curve on Wacker just west of Wabash, October 1871.

141 years ago today marks start of the Great Fire which would lay the city in ruin.

Here is a shot looking north from what is now the curve on Wacker just west of Wabash, October 1871.

Corner of State and Madison after the fire, 1871, Chicago.

Corner of State and Madison after the fire, 1871, Chicago.

Lake Street before and after the Great Fire, 1871, Chicago.

Lake Street before and after the Great Fire, 1871, Chicago.

Immediately after the Great Fire in 1871, temporary buildings were built on the east side of Michigan Ave as the rest of the city rose from the ashes. This is looking north east from Adams.

Immediately after the Great Fire in 1871, temporary buildings were built on the east side of Michigan Ave as the rest of the city rose from the ashes.

This is looking north east from Adams.

The main builiding of the prestigious St. Ignatius College Prep at 1076 W Roosevelt is one of 5 existing buildings in Chicago to have survived the Great Fire. It was built in 1869.

The main builiding of the prestigious St. Ignatius College Prep at 1076 W Roosevelt is one of 5 existing buildings in Chicago to have survived the Great Fire. It was built in 1869.

While at the Old Town Art Fair this weekend, I made a point to stop by and see one of the few remaining Shelter Homes, which were built after the Great Fire in 1871. This little guy is at 206 W Menomonee, just off Wells.  At one point, thousands of these homes served as temporary dwellings while residents rebuilt the city.  Anyone know of any others that exist?

While at the Old Town Art Fair this weekend, I made a point to stop by and see one of the few remaining Shelter Homes, which were built after the Great Fire in 1871. This little guy is at 206 W Menomonee, just off Wells. 

At one point, thousands of these homes served as temporary dwellings while residents rebuilt the city. 

Anyone know of any others that exist?

The city in ruins, 1871, Chicago.

The city in ruins, 1871, Chicago.

Kerfoot’s Real Estate office, self-proclaimed first building in the burnt district, 89 Washington St, 1871, Chicago.

Kerfoot’s Real Estate office, self-proclaimed first building in the burnt district, 89 Washington St, 1871, Chicago.

Nice panoramic view of the city in ruins after the Great Fire, looking east, 1871, Chicago. For reference, that’s the river on the far left.

Nice panoramic view of the city in ruins after the Great Fire, looking east, 1871, Chicago.

For reference, that’s the river on the far left.

A Currier and Ives engraving of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, Randolph St Bridge, 1872.

A Currier and Ives engraving of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, Randolph St Bridge, 1872.

A child’s drawing of his family (and goat) escaping the city during the Great Fire, 1871, Chicago. Chicago History Museum

A child’s drawing of his family (and goat) escaping the city during the Great Fire, 1871, Chicago.

Chicago History Museum

Rebuilding Chicago after the Great Fire, c.1872. The Phoenix rising from the ashes… Can anyone help with identifying the location? Only clue might be the distinct building on the left.

Rebuilding Chicago after the Great Fire, c.1872.

The Phoenix rising from the ashes…

Can anyone help with identifying the location? Only clue might be the distinct building on the left.

One of my favorite parts of the Chicago History Museum, the Great Fire diorama.

Relief for the Sufferers of Chicago, c.1872, Jules Emile Saintin.

Relief for the Sufferers of Chicago, c.1872, Jules Emile Saintin.