The Great Chicago Fire of 1871-- Part 3: A Real Building Mess

In the 50 rowdy years before the fire, the city grew from a remote Army post into the rail and shipping hub of America, a center of commerce and fast fortunes and deep poverty.

The area where the Catherine and Patrick O'Leary family lived was a densely populated section of the city.  It was, as one reporter described it, "a terra incognito to respectable Chicagoans," packed with "one-story frame dwellings, cow-stables, corncribs, sheds innumerable; every wretched building within four feet of its neighbor, and everything of wood."

Though there was an ordinance that forbade the use of uncovered lamps near hay or straw, Chicagoans paid it no heed, even though 90% of the city buildings were wooden.  Its sidewalks were wooden.  Its narrow streets were paved with wooden blocks.

"The officials of the city feared to enforce the law and therefore incur unpopularity with reckless moneyed interests which continued to build the city in dangerous fashion," wrote Edgar Lee Masters on his "The Tale of Chicago."  

"The menace of such buildings to the city was subordinated to the ambition to get richer."

--Cooter