The Great Chicago Fire: A
Cow’s Tale
Great Chicago Fire
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.