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The Great Chicago Fire of 1871

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The Great Chicago Fire erupted on Oct. 8, 1871, and burned a large portion of the city until it died out two days later. The fire killed hundreds and destroyed much of the central business district, which was largely constructed from wood. In this photo, the aftermath of the fire can be seen with the Chicago River in the background.
Chicago Tribune historical photo
The Great Chicago Fire erupted on Oct. 8, 1871, and burned a large portion of the city until it died out two days later. The fire killed hundreds and destroyed much of the central business district, which was largely constructed from wood. In this photo, the aftermath of the fire can be seen with the Chicago River in the background.

Politics |
The Great Chicago Fire of 1871

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The Great Chicago Fire erupted on Oct. 8, 1871, and burned a large portion of the city until it died out two days later. The fire killed hundreds and destroyed much of the central business district, which was largely constructed from wood. In this photo, the aftermath of the fire can be seen with the Chicago River in the background.
The Great Chicago Fire erupted on Oct. 8, 1871, and burned a large portion of the city until it died out two days later. The fire killed hundreds and destroyed much of the central business district, which was largely constructed from wood. In this photo, the aftermath of the fire can be seen with the Chicago River in the background.
The view looking north shows the Pumping Station after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The station's walls survived the fire, but the roof did not.
The view looking north shows the Pumping Station after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The station’s walls survived the fire, but the roof did not.
The Oct. 11 edition of the Chicago Tribune following the Great Chicago Fire.
The Oct. 11 edition of the Chicago Tribune following the Great Chicago Fire.
An old engraving depicts the myth that Mrs. Catherine O'Leary's cow started the Great Chicago Fire. Mrs. O'Leary was finally exonerated in 1997 from being blamed for starting the fire.
An old engraving depicts the myth that Mrs. Catherine O’Leary’s cow started the Great Chicago Fire. Mrs. O’Leary was finally exonerated in 1997 from being blamed for starting the fire.
Gutted buildings and smoldering rubble at State and Madison streets after the Great Chicago Fire in 1871.
Gutted buildings and smoldering rubble at State and Madison streets after the Great Chicago Fire in 1871.
Firefighters that made up Engine company No. 24 when this photo was taken, fought the Great Chicago Fire back in 1871.
Firefighters that made up Engine company No. 24 when this photo was taken, fought the Great Chicago Fire back in 1871.
The ruins looking north across the Chicago river, toward the site of today's Merchandise Mart, after the Great Chicago Fire in 1871. Boat masts can be seen from the water. Photo taken from South Water Street.
The ruins looking north across the Chicago river, toward the site of today’s Merchandise Mart, after the Great Chicago Fire in 1871. Boat masts can be seen from the water. Photo taken from South Water Street.
The west entrance to the courthouse shows it in ruins from the Great Chicago Fire in 1871.
The west entrance to the courthouse shows it in ruins from the Great Chicago Fire in 1871.
A drawing shows a family seeking refuge from the fire on a rooftop during the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
A drawing shows a family seeking refuge from the fire on a rooftop during the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
Looking north across what is now the Loop after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, some of Chicago's present day real estate firms had their start before the fire and survived it to play active roles in the rebirth of the city, wrote the Tribune in 1958.
Looking north across what is now the Loop after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, some of Chicago’s present day real estate firms had their start before the fire and survived it to play active roles in the rebirth of the city, wrote the Tribune in 1958.
Workers clean up rubble from the Great Central Station, located at the foot of Lake Street after the Great Chicago Fire in 1871. The broken stone and bricks were dumped along the lake shore to make additional land.
Workers clean up rubble from the Great Central Station, located at the foot of Lake Street after the Great Chicago Fire in 1871. The broken stone and bricks were dumped along the lake shore to make additional land.
The ruins of the Grand Pacific Hotel after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
The ruins of the Grand Pacific Hotel after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
The Rush Street Bridge after the Great Chicago Fire, looking north from the Chicago River in 1871.
The Rush Street Bridge after the Great Chicago Fire, looking north from the Chicago River in 1871.
In this photo taken shortly after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, the O'Leary house, center, still stands, but only rubble is left of its barn, right.
In this photo taken shortly after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, the O’Leary house, center, still stands, but only rubble is left of its barn, right.
The shell of St. Paul's Universalist Church after the Great Chicago Fire in 1871.
The shell of St. Paul’s Universalist Church after the Great Chicago Fire in 1871.
The Great Central Station, south facade, following the Great Chicago Fire in 1871.
The Great Central Station, south facade, following the Great Chicago Fire in 1871.
Engine Company No. 7 was stationed in Blue Island Avenue near Harrison Street, when the Great Chicago Fire started in 1871.
Engine Company No. 7 was stationed in Blue Island Avenue near Harrison Street, when the Great Chicago Fire started in 1871.
An unidentified location in Chicago in the aftermath of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
An unidentified location in Chicago in the aftermath of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
The Chicago Tribune building stands at the southeast corner of Dearborn and Madison streets after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
The Chicago Tribune building stands at the southeast corner of Dearborn and Madison streets after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
View of Schock, Bigford, and Company, the first store opened in the burnt district after the Chicago Fire of 1871.
View of Schock, Bigford, and Company, the first store opened in the burnt district after the Chicago Fire of 1871.
The wreckage of St. James Episcopal Church looking north on Rush Street from Huron Street in the aftermath of the Great Chicago Fire in 1871.
The wreckage of St. James Episcopal Church looking north on Rush Street from Huron Street in the aftermath of the Great Chicago Fire in 1871.
The view of the ruins of the Courthouse and City Hall after the Great Chicago Fire in 1871. The ruins in the lower left face Randolph Street and show the post office and customs building.
The view of the ruins of the Courthouse and City Hall after the Great Chicago Fire in 1871. The ruins in the lower left face Randolph Street and show the post office and customs building.
St. Michael's Church after the Great Chicago Fire in 1871.
St. Michael’s Church after the Great Chicago Fire in 1871.
The ruins of Col. Woods museum on Randolph Street, between Clark and Dearborn streets after the Great Chicago Fire in 1871. A hopeful sign announces the reopening of the Globe Theater.
The ruins of Col. Woods museum on Randolph Street, between Clark and Dearborn streets after the Great Chicago Fire in 1871. A hopeful sign announces the reopening of the Globe Theater.
Following the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, rebuilding became a priority. This view is looking east down Lake Street from LaSalle.
Following the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, rebuilding became a priority. This view is looking east down Lake Street from LaSalle.
What remains of the courthouse and City Hall, looking north on Clark Street from Adams Street, in the aftermath of the Great Chicago Fire in 1871.
What remains of the courthouse and City Hall, looking north on Clark Street from Adams Street, in the aftermath of the Great Chicago Fire in 1871.
Ruins of the old Farewell (also sometimes spelled Farwell) Building on Washington Street after the Great Chicago Fire in 1871.
Ruins of the old Farewell (also sometimes spelled Farwell) Building on Washington Street after the Great Chicago Fire in 1871.
Workers walk through the wreckage near the remains of the courthouse and City Hall, background, in the aftermath of the Great Chicago Fire. Slow camera shutter speeds of the era make the people appear ghostly.
Workers walk through the wreckage near the remains of the courthouse and City Hall, background, in the aftermath of the Great Chicago Fire. Slow camera shutter speeds of the era make the people appear ghostly.
A view looking north at Franklin and Madison streets in Chicago after the Great Chicago Fire in 1871.
A view looking north at Franklin and Madison streets in Chicago after the Great Chicago Fire in 1871.
The First National Bank building stands in ruins at State and Washington streets after the Great Chicago Fire in 1871. The Field, Leiter & Co. store, which became Marshall Field & Co., lay in ruins. More than 17,000 buildings were destroyed, including the business district of Chicago.
The First National Bank building stands in ruins at State and Washington streets after the Great Chicago Fire in 1871. The Field, Leiter & Co. store, which became Marshall Field & Co., lay in ruins. More than 17,000 buildings were destroyed, including the business district of Chicago.
The view looking directly north from the Water Tower after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Photo taken circa 1871-1872. This is one of a series of views documenting the progress of rebuilding from the top of the Water Tower. The lake shore is visible on the right, and Lincoln Park is straight ahead.
The view looking directly north from the Water Tower after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Photo taken circa 1871-1872. This is one of a series of views documenting the progress of rebuilding from the top of the Water Tower. The lake shore is visible on the right, and Lincoln Park is straight ahead.
Two boys sit on top of a partial stone wall in the wreckage of a burned-out building at Madison and Clark Streets, with the Court House in the background following the fire.
Two boys sit on top of a partial stone wall in the wreckage of a burned-out building at Madison and Clark Streets, with the Court House in the background following the fire.
Flames razed the stores and hotels along North Wabash and Michigan avenues and left the shell of the Illinois Central station in the background after the Great Chicago Fire in 1871. (Chicago Tribune archive) scanned from print, published on Oct. 5, 1958. No attribution on back of print.
Flames razed the stores and hotels along North Wabash and Michigan avenues and left the shell of the Illinois Central station in the background after the Great Chicago Fire in 1871. (Chicago Tribune archive) scanned from print, published on Oct. 5, 1958. No attribution on back of print.
Holy Name Cathedral, left, and St. James Episcopal Church, right, lay in ruins after the Great Chicago Fire in 1871. Between them, in the background, stands the old water tower.
Holy Name Cathedral, left, and St. James Episcopal Church, right, lay in ruins after the Great Chicago Fire in 1871. Between them, in the background, stands the old water tower.
“Map Showing the Burnt District in Chicago” shows the level of destruction of the 1871 Great Chicago Fire.

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