The Barnum & Barnum photo above was taken during the height of the “high wheeler” craze in Jackson Park, along Chicago’s south lake shore.
The mayor of Chicago at the turn of the century, aimed his election campaign towards cyclists. His successful re-election caused him to thank the voters by building the famous Edgewater to Evanston bike path.
With this kind of history, Chicagology has a special article about Bicycling and Chicago.
Cheers
Terry Gregory
Chicagologist
Chicagology’s content has been collected from primarily contemporary sources. This included Andreas’ comprehensive 1884 History of Chicago and from the several volumes published immediately after the Great Fire. One of the best sources was from the series of special books published by RR Donnelley known as the Lakeside Classics.
This series, which started as mere reprints of political speeches, evolved to reprint great first person narratives of the struggles and accomplishments in building this city as well as this country.
Chicagology is proud to recognize the fine efforts of RR Donnelley in being able to preserve this rare Americana in reproducing these rarities.
Cheers
Terry Gregory
Chicagologist
Chicago has survived many obstacles during its early years. This included Indians, rivers that flowed the wrong way, fires and even flooding. Chicagology just added a detailed description of what it meant to raise an established city four feet higher, without a disruption of the public’s day to day business. The full article can be found here.
Cheers!
Terry Gregory
Chicagologist
Chicagology is a pictorial walkthrough of Chicago history with a focus on the period prior to 1900.
Above is a photo that was supplied by Donald Asher. Performing a new scan at a much higher resoulution, Don was able to identify the words “AVTVMN FESTIVAL” across the arch. Coincidentally, on October 4-11, 1899, there was a Chicago Autumn Festival.
Cheers!
Terry Gregory
Chicagologist