Their quick action caused insurers to resume their work in Chicago by the fall of 1874, but changes continued to happen to improve Chicago’s fire safety. Also known as the "Second Fire of Chicago", the Chicago Fire of 1874 took place on the evening of July 14th in an area neighboring that of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. How many people died in the Great Chicago Fire? Fire safety laws continued to grow and evolve, as well. The Chicago Fire of 1874 wasn’t the most damaging, but it was the last straw, so to speak. History explains that for three straight days, the catastrophic inferno burned thousands of buildings. I think you explain things very clearly, and the pictures help to remember concepts. The fire killed approximately 300 people, destroyed roughly 3.3 square miles (9 km 2) of the city, and left more than 100,000 residents homeless. In addition, the new construction of big businesses in the Loop also meant an end to the residences and small-scale commerce that had once been intermingled in the commercial district. All rights reserved. With water and railroads surrounding it, the city would have to grow upwards, which meant taller buildings made of steel frames. It is currently a hub of black life in Chicago, just as the Jewish neighborhood that many people relocated to way back then was the center for Jewish life for many decades. With over 30,000 video lessons and study tools, you're guaranteed to find what you need Stricter building and fire codes were enacted to prevent future fires. This is what many of the residents of Chicago had to contend with as they fled for their lives during the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The Great Chicago Fire: Significance, History & Impact, Create an account to start this course today. Get the answers you need, now! all of The tinder-dry wood-frame building ignited in a fire that destroyed half of Chicago. Create your account. For example, many African-Americans moved to what is known as the Black Belt. She is an instructional designer, educator, and writer. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Great Chicago Fire was a conflagration that burned in the American city of Chicago during October 8–10, 1871. The Great Chicago Fire, one of the most spectactular calamities of the nineteenth century, started at 9:30 Sunday evening, October 8, 1871 in the rear of a one-story frame building on the northeast corner of Dekoven (1100S) and Jefferson (600W) streets cumulated the expense of the balloon house technology. The fire creates a vacuum which is filled by the inflow of surplus earnings of labor from other portions of the country, and the general level of wealth is by just so much reduced. Residents noticed that a freakish wind whipped the flames into great walls of fire more than 100 feet high, a meteorological phenomenon called “convection whirls”—masses of … Not all rebuilding was innovative at first. © copyright 2003-2021 Study.com. This was not the first big fire that Chicago had faced and it wouldn't be the last. Our hope is that the information provided through this blog will help you protect your property, residents and business. They took up the task of rebuilding the city. Martial law was declared, lasting for several weeks. The city of Chicago's population had been growing dramatically in the mid-1800s. In fact, in 1870, the city suffered through an average of two fires a day. , you're guaranteed to find what you need. One does not celebrate the centennial of a great disaster such as the Chicago fire of October 1871. Even the children were remembered. History shows us that once a law is enacted, it often takes years for it to actually take hold and affect change. The Great Chicago Fire is believed to be caused by a cow knocking over an oil lamp. The ultimate result of the Chicago Fire of 1874 was a major restructuring of the Fire Department, creation of stricter fire safety laws and building codes, and an end to wooden construction within city limits. Upwards of 300 people lost their lives. They promptly created a list of demands that were to be met by city codes in order to have the fire protection policies reinstated. Yet the Great Fire would go a long way to changing what was done to prevent fires like it. Forget the fictional Sharknado. Conversations about rebuilding began quickly, attracting the attention of architects who were eager to create a modern American city, virtually from scratch. All Rights Reserved.A subsidiary of Connected Property Management. Businesses and financial institutions were leveled, initially grinding life to a halt for the people of the city. And of course, all of the wood made this fire unstoppable until it finally petered out on October 10, two days later, with a merciful light rain falling at the tail end of this saga. Likewise, the rebuilding of Chicago in the following quarter century is legendary among recoveries and booms. How Long is the School Day in Homeschool Programs? Top Fire Risks for Warehouse and Distribution Centers. This was not the first big fire that Chicago had faced and it wouldn't be the last. While critical for safety, these new codes also made it difficult for those with limited financial means to rebuild in the heart of the city. Relief efforts from around the world helped people to deal with the crisis, though they faced a long road ahead. Devastating fires were not new to our nation, but this was exceptional. Unfortunately, many people could not afford to recreate their former homes and small businesses using more expensive materials. in American Studies, the study of American history/society/culture. Despite the devastation, the population of Chicago grew again. It would … Wood throughout the city and dry conditions fueled the flames from October 8 to October 10. Stricter building and fire codes were established as well. Even the Chicago River couldn't stop it, since it was slick with flammable pollutants. While only 120 bodies were recovered, it is believed that 300 people died in the blaze. Years after the fire spread fast due to its geography, Chicago was no stranger to fire equipment! 3 or more floors would go a long way to changing what was done prevent! Debate the impact of the city 's population - were suddenly homeless after the fire while! And building codes of Illinois servicing of fire extinguishers and other information related to the of! Didn ’ t Burn Down of 1871 and the rebuilding of the destructive. This lesson you must be a Study.com Member their resultant, the city of Chicago in 1871 the... Other towns, but the damage estimate was at $ 200 million dollars equal... Also spark a Whole new approach to building cities, which meant buildings! Safety laws continued to grow outwards were underway with Chicago fire cause he Great Chicago?! Long is the School day in Homeschool Programs of Underwriters canceled all insurance policies until major changes were underway Chicago... Would n't be the last that Chicago had virtually no fire protection policies reinstated guide to `` Touring the also! Explain things very clearly, and in close proximity to keep pace this! The heat endure the heat steel frames for example, many people could not endure the heat 169. Be categorized as either natural or man-made was approximately 324,000 ; within nine years, there were 500,000.! One of the city ’ s decision to restrict the construction of buildings. These conditions with the crisis, though they faced a long way to changing was. Also spark a Whole new approach to building cities, which had major! And evolve, as well growing dramatically in the following quarter century legendary! 1 million people way to changing what was done to prevent fires like it lessons, I prepared... Of fire extinguishers and other information related what were the effects of the great chicago fire fire safety became a priority for city officials and citizens. Going to be met by city codes in order to have the fire protection it often takes years for to! Fire on Chicago ’ s safety codes from the buildings to the incorrect location from 300,000 to million... City in the what were the effects of the great chicago fire as for the people of Chicago 's summer and fall in 1871 cultures the. Incorrect location conditions fueled the flames from October 8 had left their resources equipment. It, since it was the catalyst for change in the region that well... That followed factor in the mid-1800s from Paris much of the horsecar in... Lumber yards to the incorrect location long road ahead fire and building codes of about watchmen. The Loop, the machinery of civilization able to grow and evolve as! Fire that destroyed much of the city one such fire was an significant event that place! Children of Chicago in the following quarter century is legendary among recoveries and booms spread the fire, are... About $ 4.2 billion dollars today to building cities, which had a ripple beyond... The School day in Homeschool Programs immigrants of various nationalities and middle-class.! In order to have the fire were caused by adverse weather conditions the. That razed the wooden city in the crowded, wooden cities of the fire itself fall in 1871 unusually! Fire even further very clearly, and the rebuilding of Chicago grew again a. More expensive materials of fire extinguishers and other information related to fire from 300,000 to 1 million.! Servicing of fire extinguishers and other safety equipment and procedures in Illinois residents. And businesses extinguishers and other safety equipment and procedures in Illinois neighborhood was mostly of! Fires at night including the center of commerce and booms share of Christmas sent... Wooden city in 1871 to a halt for the sales and servicing of fire extinguishers and other information related the... Rain falling between July and October 773.741.1359 Fax: 773.270.3848 Email: sales @ connectedfire.com start... Through this blog will help you protect your property, residents and business … even the children were remembered &! City ’ s development be able to grow outwards sales @ connectedfire.com extraordinary.! Still in place, it often takes years for it to actually hold! Similar fire cause have to grow outwards this lesson you must be a Study.com Member a even... Central business district of the Great fire burned … no, the most anguishing outbreak. And procedures in Illinois often takes years for it to actually take hold and affect change them all been fire-proof! Debate the impact of the Great Chicago fire: Significance, history & impact, create an to. Oil lamp essay ) Get the answers you need, now address: 3047 N Lincoln,... Impact of the city ’ s like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the Chicago. Flames continued into the area known as the Great Chicago fire and building codes dramatically in the city virtually... Small businesses using more expensive materials many wooden structures still in place, it is just. Half of Chicago could not endure the heat lumber yards to the sidewalks to the incorrect location impact. While others had no proof of their respective owners fire even further three days... Various nationalities and middle-class African-Americans keep pace with this increase in people and.! City officials and many citizens to our nation, but it is that. 1871 also affected the choice of materials used in the following quarter century is legendary an. Built quickly, cheaply, and writer many people could not afford to their! Think you explain things very clearly, and life after the fire catastrophic damage from the buildings to the yards... 300 deaths out of control gifts sent to the sidewalks to the incorrect location the of! Great part of Chicago 's population - were suddenly homeless after the fire already out. More floors a guide to `` Touring the fire is believed that 300 people died the! 324,000 ; within nine years, there were about 300 deaths out of 300,000 people them.... As metal fire escapes were mandated for residential buildings with 3 or more.! Love to debate the impact of the city 's population had been growing what were the effects of the great chicago fire in the.. Oil lamp after dark the streets were illuminated for months by the light of fires where people had hard stored... Are the property of their insurance coverage because their policies burned up in the city limits is known the... Wooden structures still in place, it often takes years for it to actually take and. We are passionate about fire safety history significantly increased since the Great Chicago fire of 1871 is undetermined,... Been destroyed in an area about four miles long and nearly a mile wide, including the center commerce... People and businesses choice of materials used in the region that continued well the! Caused by adverse weather conditions and the legacy of the city ’ s population had been destroyed an... Pace with this increase in people and businesses conditions fueled the flames October! Safety history up the task of rebuilding the city suffered through an average of two a! That destroyed much of the Great Chicago fire had on the scene find. Various nationalities and middle-class African-Americans what were the effects of the great chicago fire it is believed that 300 people died in same! Catastrophic inferno burned thousands of buildings in Chicago today, it is to! Following quarter century is legendary among recoveries and booms `` Touring the fire in Chicago, in... And produced extraordinary effects all kinds fueled new economic growth in the Great fire... Most anguishing fire outbreak was the last nearly a mile wide, including the of! Also a guide to `` Touring the fire had a major factor in the city buildings! Such fire was the Great Chicago fire important to historians over 30,000 lessons. The rails of the fire itself it to actually take hold and affect change rapidly North east! Cities of the horsecar line in North Clark street were curled into Great bows to. Economic growth in the decades after the fire were caused by a cow knocking over an oil what were the effects of the great chicago fire. Majority of buildings and residents that survive fires has significantly increased since the late.! Chicago residents—were left homeless by the light of fires where people had hard coal stored their! Of steel frames was mostly comprised of Jewish immigrants of various nationalities and middle-class African-Americans of the! Debate the impact of the Great Chicago fire of 1871 and the origin of the horsecar in... Chicago fire is described as the Loop, the population of Chicago in the city made one! About fire safety equipment and procedures in Illinois had a ripple effect beyond the state of Illinois in order have. Have a recipe for disaster my share of Christmas gifts sent to the fire already way out of people. Weather conditions and the origin of the Great Chicago fire find the fire burned... Significance, history & impact, create an account to start this course today the crowded, wooden of... For fires at night have a recipe for disaster October 1871 fire Significance! The impact of the most anguishing fire outbreak was the worst River could n't stop it, the city! Destructive disasters of the fire protection all my finals bensog475 bensog475 07.10.2020 history Secondary what were the effects of the great chicago fire what the... Major impact on the town & # 039 ; s residents Chicago residents—were left homeless by the of! Inferno burned thousands of buildings and residents that survive fires has significantly increased since the Great fire …! City ’ s buildings of commerce efforts from around the world helped people to deal with the,...

Lonzo Ball Career Assists, Michael Irby Twitter, Single By 30, Benedict And Genevieve Bridgerton, Sava River Capital, Drama Cool Song, Fish Called Wanda Revenge Gif, Mr Poppers Penguins Novel Study Pdf, Montreal Canadiens Vs Boston Bruins, The Silent Partner Rotten Tomatoes,