The Great Chicago Fire
At 9:45 p.m. on a Sunday, it was bedtime for most people in the booming city of Chicago, Illinois. But it was around this time on October 9, 1871 when the fire alarm rang in box 342. This was the first of three alarms that were set off, the third and final being a general alarm that summoned every available engine in the area to the scene. Flames were seen rising from a small stable behind a house near the corner of De Koven and Jefferson streets. Just as quickly as the fire could be put out, it had spread to another building. Little did they know at the time, but this was the start of one of the most destructive fires in history; a catastrophe was underway. This extremely devastating disaster was not a complete loss, however. On the contrary, many people believe there were good things that came out of it. In fact, many of the benefits seem to outweigh the downsides of the fire. The tragedy paved the way for whole new city layout, improved building quality, as well as providing jobs for thousands of people. A cow, a simple little cow, was believed to be the one who started it all. The cow belonged to the now famous O'Leary family. The story has it that one small kerosene lantern left in the barn near some dry pil
Although many homes and businesses were destroyed, there was some benefit to the economy. Businesses boomed as a result of the rebuilding of the city. Many of the raw materials needed came from lumber companies in Michigan and limestone quarries in Indiana. Within six weeks, 212 stone and brick buildings were already under construction in the south side alone. Workers in Chicago now had job opportunities helping to construct almost an entire city. As the city was getting built bigger and better than it ever was before. The downtown area of Chicago is was now twice the size that it was previous to the fire. Due to all of the job openings and needed supplies, the economy began to flourish. Despite all of the lives lost, and buildings destroyed, the Great Chicago Fire spawned a process that was given the name of the "Great Rebuilding". This process not only provided jobs for workers in the city, but also boosted production in other parts of the Midwest. Although people have been led to believe that a cow bumping a lantern started the fire, that tale has recently been put to rest. Getting to redesign a very flawed city layout helped organize the districts as well as make transportation become more efficient. A man by the name of William Bross made this statement in an address to the New York Chamber of Commerce,
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Approximate Word count = 896
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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