Chicago City Manual 1911

The inner workings of Chicago during the early 20th century.

This is an interesting overview of Chicago’s municipal operations and self-identity during the Progressive Era. Biographical sketches of the various mayors (including newly re-elected Carter Harrison, Jr.) and prominent current officials are followed by descriptions of public offices, overviews of major improvements, the composition of the city council, various committees, historical summaries, and much more.

The book includes a fold-out titled Ward Map City of Chicago Boundaries as Established by Ordinance passed Dec 4th, 1911. It outlines the 35 wards across the city limits (the current number of 50 would be adopted in 1923).

The report was compiled by Chicago city statistician Francis Eastman and printed locally by Drovers Journal Publishing Company. At the time of publication, Chicago was undergoing a period of volatile change, torn between established ‘machine’ politics and progressive reformers. Carter Harrison Jr. returned to the mayoral office in 1911, promising “businesslike efficiency” and moral cleanup. Jane Addams’s Hull House operations were near their height, the city’s most notorious brothel (the Everleigh Club) was shut down, and Daniel Burnham’s 1909 Plan of Chicago offered an optimistic glimpse at the future.