Chicago.

Fine city plan of Chicago published in 1890.

This finely engraved map of Chicago shows the city in some detail as it nears full recovery from the devastating fire of 1873. Railroad tracks and surface car lines extend to nearly every corner, facilitating the transportation of goods and people that accelerated suburban development. Industrialization was maximized along the river, with artificial canals, grain elevators, and massive warehouses dominating the shorelines.

The Two-Mile Crib, constructed in 1867, is cut just off the right side of the page, but the line carrying “fresh” water to the city can be seen in Lake Michigan. Because of serious pollution dumped into the river, which at that time flowed into Lake Michigan, a Four-Mile Crib was under construction at the time of publication, and would be completed the following year.