Episode 34: The Great Chicago Fire

Jay walks us through the Great Chicago Fire of October 1871.

This story contains:

1. From July 4 to October 9 1871, Chicago got only 1 inch of rain. (Severe drought conditions!)

2. More than two thirds of the structures in Chicago in 1871 were made entirely of wood. (So were the streets! And sidewalks!)

3. The fire burned from October 8 to October 10, 1871. (That’s a long time!)

4. The fire killed 300 people. (That number could be higher.)

5. Of the 300,000 inhabitants in Chicago in 1871, 100,000 were left homeless – and more than 17,000 structures were destroyed. (The damage is estimated at $222 million.)

Sweet Dreams XOXOZzzz.