chicagology

Guest Book

The Original Guest Book has been transferred to this page. Please feel free to post any general messages or enquiries on this Page.

Comments

  1. Awsome web site. I have read
    almost allof your stories.
    I was very interested in each and every one. I currently have an original copy of the 1893 worls fair book. Great job.

  2. I am so happy to finally see what the Wabash Ave Methodist Church looked like on a good day. Last time I looked at the corner of Wasbash and Harrison, it was a parking lot! My great-great-grandfather, William Haskell, a former professional gymnast and Union scout, climbed the northwest steeple of this church as the leader of a double line bucket brigade during the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The church had been spared against the wishes of General Sheridan, whose plan it was to have it blown up & destroyed to create a fire break in an attempt to save the South Side. He had already sent for artillery to fire upon the five barrels of gunpowder which he had loaded into the basement. But the wooden steeple eventually caught fire, infuriating Sheridan. My grandfather heroically offered to climb up to the roof and, with soaked cloth wrapped around his head, descend into the burning tower with buckets of water scooped from Lake Michigan and handed off by two other volunteers on the roof. He emerged with singed hair, eyebrows & clothes after successfully extinguishing the flames, and is credited with saving the South Side of Chicago from destruction. I would love to get a copy of the print of this lovely church that has been a part of of family history passed down to each generation. Thank you for this website!
    Gaye Stantis

  3. Love this site. The content should be of intrest to anyone who lives in Chicago and loves our great city.

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