Section 3

 Big cities ran out of space in their downtown areas  Planners and architects decide to build up

 The first high rise building was constructed in Chicago in It was ten (10) stories high.

 Traffic jams become a problem as more people are living in cities  Frank Sprague designed the first electric street car system in Richmond Virginia

 Street cars ( or trolley) were fast, clean and quiet  In 1897, Boston led the way in building the first underground electric railway

 In 1904, New York opened the first section of its subway system  Earlier New York had built an elevated train called the E1. Steam engines pulled passengers cars along overhead tracks.

 1850 Fredrick Law Olmstead planned Central Park in New York City  Other cities followed this model setting aside areas for zoos and gardens so that people could enjoy green grass and trees during leisure time.

 In the 1800’s department stores sprang up, selling all kinds of goods in one building  In 1902 R.H. Macy opened a nine (9) story building at Herald Square in New York City  These department stores led to a new pastime, shopping

 Americans found a great escape through sports

 By the late 1800’s baseball was becoming the nation’s favorite sport  Baseball was first played in New York City in the 1840’s

 During the Civil War, New York soldiers showed other Union troops how to play the game  At first African Americans played baseball too  In the 1880’s they were barred from playing major league baseball

 In 1885 Frank Thompson organized a group of waiters into the first black professional team, the Cuban Giants of Long Island  In early baseball pitchers threw the ball underhand  Catchers caught the ball after one bounce

 Fielders did not wear gloves  High scores were common  One championship game ended with a score of 103 to 8

 Football grew out of soccer, which Americans had played since the colonial times  Players did not wear helmets and were often hurt  In one season 44 college players died from injury

 James Naismith invented basketball in 1891

 He planned to use square boxes, not hoops but the janitor nailed two (2) bushels baskets to the wall  The players tried to throw soccer balls into the baskets  The game caught on and spread to other YMCA’s and then to colleges

 A wide variety of cultural activities spread through cities including music  Generally only the wealthy attended orchestras or symphonies  Vaudeville: a variety show that included comedians, song and dance routines, and acrobats

 Ragtime: a new kind of music with a lively rhythmic sound  Scott Joplin, an African American composer, helped make ragtime popular

 Songwriters and Thomas Edison’s phonograph helped make song recording a popular industry

 Music and other kinds of entertainment brought Americans together  People from different culture sang the same songs and saw the same shows  Traveling groups like acting companies, circuses and Wild West shows spread American culture beyond the cities to small towns everywhere