The opening of the Illinois and Michigan Canal in 1848 allowed shipping from the Great Lakes through Chicago to the Mississippi River and so to the Gulf of Mexico. The first rail line to Chicago, the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad, was also completed in 1848. Chicago would go on to become the transportation hub of the United States with its road, rail, and water (and later air) connections. Chicago also became home to nationwide retailers such as Montgomery Ward and Sears, Roebuck and Company that offered catalog shopping using these connections.
In 1855, the level of the city was raised four to seven feet, with individual buildings jacked up and fill brought in to raise streets above the swamp.
The 1860 Republican National Convention in Chicago nominated home-state candidate Abraham Lincoln.
In 1871, most of the city burned in the Great Chicago Fire. In the following years, Chicago rebuilt itself and its architecture became influential throughout the world. The first skyscraper was constructed in 1885 using novel steel-skeleton construction. Chicago’s resurgence onto the world scene was capped by the World Columbian Exposition (1893 Chicago World’s Fair).
Related Travel Information
Illinois Travel Guide
The state of Illinois is located in northern midwest of the USA . Illinois is one of the leading Economic and Education Centers in the US. You can visit the Universities, Cities, Airports, Parks, Sightseeing and much more. Chicago is located on Lake Michigan, is the states biggest city and one of the biggest cities in the US - Chicago is a large financial, economic and transport center in the US.
Few American states are as schizophrenic as Illinois. The divide between Chicago and the "downstate" is dramatic. The former is America's most representative big city, filled with
Fort Sheridan, Illinois was a United States Army Post named after Civil War Cavalry General Philip Sheridan, to honor his many services to Chicago.
The Commercial Club of Chicago, concerned since 1877 with the need for a military garrison, was motivated by the Haymarket Riot in 1886 to arrange for the donation of 632 acres (2.6 km˛) of land to the Federal Government for this purpose. Troops arrived in November 1887 and were used in 1894 to quell labor unrest during the Pullman Strike.
Fort Sheridan became a mobilization, training, and administrative center beginning with the Spanish-American War in 1898. During World
North Chicago is a city located in Lake County, Illinois. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 35,918.
North Chicago has the manufacturing headquarters of Abbott Laboratories and is the location of the Naval Station Great Lakes.
Geography
North Chicago is located at 42°19'20" North, 87°51'16" West (42.322272, -87.854470)1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 20.3 km˛ (7.8 mi˛). 20.3 km˛ (7.8 mi˛) of it is land and 0.13% is water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 35,918 people, 7,661 households, and 5,577 families residing in the city. The population
Burnham is a village located in Cook County, Illinois. As of the 2000 census, the village had a total population of 4,170. The ZIP Code is 60633.
Burnham has a Chicago ZIP code, and is mistakenly considered part of Chicago. It lies just south of the Chicago city limits.
There are two sections of Burnham. The westernmost section surrounds Torrence Avenue, a north-south street. Torrence Avenue leaves this part of Burnham via a bridge, with Chicago on the other side. The eastern section surrounds Burnham Avenue, another north-south street. This section of Burnham ends at Brainard Avenue, where the Hegewisch neighborhood of
Chicago Heights is a city located in Cook County, Illinois. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 32,776.
Geography
Chicago Heights is located at 41°30'43" North, 87°38'25" West (41.512034, -87.640201)1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 24.8 km˛ (9.6 mi˛). 24.8 km˛ (9.6 mi˛) of it is land and 0.10% is water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 32,776 people, 10,703 households, and 7,823 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,322.3/km˛ (3,424.4/mi˛). There are 11,444 housing units at an average density of 461.7/km˛ (1,195.7/mi˛). The racial
