3-034-716 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Great Fire at Chicago: plan showing the extent of the fire, 1871. 'The southern and western quarters of the city contained about 500 streets, avenues, and alleys; and when it is remembered that these included the public buildings - many of the most superb character, being built with marble fronts - and all the business portion of the city, some idea of the loss may be conceived. These public buildings were very numerous and costly for a new town...Some of these, it is hoped, may still remain, but the great majority stood in the southern portion of the city...[It] contained, till the fire, a population of 300,000 souls. It had the largest export trade in grain and other provisions, and was the most bustling place of mercantile activity in the whole continent...It is reckoned that 70,000 people are deprived of the shelter of their homes. At least 250 lives were lost in the fire'. From "Illustrated London News", 1871.