Students will have an opportunity to further investigate the "Economic Powerhouse: The Chicago Machine" era. This was a period of enormous structured growth, the beginning of a city that possessed the ingredients to provide jobs, encourage capital investment and to export goods. Its commercial sector was also being built and the street car afforded the opportunity for the creation of a transportation system that was reliable and flexible (see left photo depicting the corner of State and Madison in 1910). Along with this growth, we also begin to see the development of a physical core (Loop) that engages these forces while responding to the developing needs of a fast growing population. Once again, the examination of primary sources from the American Memory collection will serve as the basis of this inquiry. Below, for your review you can find numerous photographs from the collection. Following an analysis of the material provided in the text and our sessions, and after assessing the photos, clips and text provided from the collection, you will complete a three to five page reflection paper that depicts this part of Chicago's history. This will be a reflective piece. Please include photographs and or other diagrams that advance your various points (click on right photo to see the ethnic residential structure around the Stockyards). The questions below may be employed to assist you in this work. Specifically provide a narrative that depicts life during that period.
(1) How does the New England Magazine (May 1892) describe the Chicago Stockyards?
(2) How did Chicago gain an architectural reputation for being a leader in the construction of skyscrapers? How did that impact the advancement of our nation?
(3) What impression(s) do you gain following an evaluation of the Chicago Stockyards and Streetcar sources?
(4) What story do these sources tell us? How was life lived during that time?
(5) What surprised you the most? Why?
| Union Stockyards and Pullman | Streetcars and Parks | Stone and Steel |
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