The Great Chicago Fire: A Cow’s Tale

Great Chicago Fire  In 1871 Chicago had become one of America’s major cities. The city was the “Queen of the West.”  The growth of the railroads in the 1840’s and 1850’s created by the Civil War played a great part in the cities commerce. The city’s prosperity can be attributed to its location.  Cattle and grain trades as well as manufacturing thrived.  Houses, churches, stores, factories and sidewalks were made of mostly of wood.

Great Chicago Fire  During the fall of 1871, the entire Midwest had suffered a major drought.  The fire grew out of control when driven by a gale-force wind that fed on the parched timbers that had seen no rain in weeks.  The fire raged for 29 hours.

Great Chicago Fire  The Great Chicago Fire influenced Chicago’s Building Codes.  The history of Fire Prevention Week has its roots in the Great Chicago Fire.  The architecture in Chicago is a legacy of the fire.

Great Chicago Fire  There was a great deal of anti-immigrant, anti-Irish, and the anti-Catholic sentiment in Chicago in the 1870’s.  This probably contributed to the hurried decision to blame the O’Leary’s.  Mrs. O’Leary was an easy target for the anti-Irish, anti-working class and anti-women movement.

Great Chicago Fire  The statements taken by the citizens and the firemen were often contradictory.  The perspectives and views of the individuals after the City Council’s resolution also varied.  The energy spent on this matter over 140 years after the fact remains controversial.