Urban Conditions
The conditions of the urban poor were often a focus of attention in the 1800s. Various reform groups tried, with very mixed results, to clean up slums in London, New York, and other great cities. By the end of the century "settlement houses" were springing up to assist those in poverty, and a new breed of journalist was drawing attention to the plight of the poor.
Did Mrs. O'Leary's Cow Start the Great Chicago Fire?
When the great Chicago Fire broke out in 1871 a rumor immediately spread that a cow belonging to a Mrs. O'Leary had kicked over a kerosene lantern and started the inferno. Was the legendary tale of Mrs. O'Leary's cow true?
When the great Chicago Fire broke out in 1871 a rumor immediately spread that a cow belonging to a Mrs. O'Leary had kicked over a kerosene lantern and started the inferno. Was the legendary tale of Mrs. O'Leary's cow true?
The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 Essentially Destroyed the Entire City
The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 destroyed a major American city, making it one of the great disasters of the 19th century. And while the famous story of how the first was started when Mrs. O’Leary’s cow kicked over a lantern was certainly untrue, that legend stuck in the public mind and holds fast to this day.
The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 destroyed a major American city, making it one of the great disasters of the 19th century. And while the famous story of how the first was started when Mrs. O’Leary’s cow kicked over a lantern was certainly untrue, that legend stuck in the public mind and holds fast to this day.
The Five Points, New York's Most Notorious Neighborhood
Learn about the Five Points, a notorious neighborhood in New York City in the 1800s. The area, named for the intersection of several streets, was home to gangs, and reformers constantly cited it as one of the most dangerous areas in the world.
Learn about the Five Points, a notorious neighborhood in New York City in the 1800s. The area, named for the intersection of several streets, was home to gangs, and reformers constantly cited it as one of the most dangerous areas in the world.
Jacob Riis: How the Other Half Lives
Journalist Jacob Riis published his book How the Other Half Lives in 1890, and his unflinching look at tenement life in New York City shocked the nation. Yale University hosts this hypertext edition of the book.
Journalist Jacob Riis published his book How the Other Half Lives in 1890, and his unflinching look at tenement life in New York City shocked the nation. Yale University hosts this hypertext edition of the book.