Chicago, IL

Headnote

Population in 1850, 30,000. This place is situated on the W. shore, and towards the S. end of Lake Michigan, at the point where the river of the same name enters the lake. ... This place has had a rapid growth, and from its position in the great line of communication between the E. and W., is destined to become a large city. In 1832 it contained only 5 small stores, and 250 inhabitants. Only 4 vessels had arrived during the year before. In 1836, 4 years later, the arrivals of brigs, ships, and schooners amounted to 407, besides 49 steamboats. (Gazetteer of the United States of America, 1854)

    Place Unit Type
    City or Town
    Containing Unit
    Date Type
    A serious railroad accident in Indiana kills dozens when floods wash away tracks Crime/Disasters
    A significant lunar eclipse of the Sun is visible in the morning over much of the eastern United States Science/Technology
    Abraham Lincoln returns to Springfield, Illinois where his remains lay in state in the State House Personal
    Almost three hundred drown on Lake Michigan in an excursion steamer collision Crime/Disasters
    Baggage master killed in the wreck of a Michigan Central passenger train near Chicago Crime/Disasters
    Chicago newspaper predicts Lincoln will be Douglas's successor in Senate Legal/Political
    Chicago, Illinois is struck with the worst fire in its history up to that point. Crime/Disasters
    Chicago's first streetcar line goes into operation on State Street Science/Technology
    Democrats take control of Chicago City Council from Unionists in municipal elections Campaigns/Elections
    Diminutive Norwegian cargo vessel crosses the stormy North Atlantic to deliver goods to Chicago Business/Industry
    Edward Payson Weston reaches Chicago on his 1238 mile walk from Portland, Maine with a day to spare. Education/Culture
    Edward Payson Weston reaches Connecticut on his 1200 mile walk from Portland, Maine to Chicago. Education/Culture
    Edward Payson Weston sets out to walk from Portland, Maine to Chicago in thirty days. Education/Culture
    Eight Ottawa, Illinois residents indicted under the Fugitive Slave Law for assisting a slave escape Slavery/Abolition
    Elihu Washburne arrives in Chicago, Illinois Personal
    Elihu Washburne dies in Chicago, Illinois Personal
    Female correspondent covers the Chicago Convention of the Republican Party Campaigns/Elections
    George Washington Ferris, inventor of the Ferris Wheel, born in Galesburg, Illinois Science/Technology
    In Chicago, a fire at a railroad yard destroys an engine house and damages locomotives Crime/Disasters
    In Chicago, a serious afternoon fire destroys the First Unitarian Church along with other buildings Crime/Disasters
    In Chicago, convicted murderers Patrick Fleming and William Corbett die on the gallows Crime/Disasters
    In Chicago, firefighters are busy all day with three separate destructive city fires Crime/Disasters
    In Chicago, Illinois, a steamer just arrived from Buffalo, New York explodes at the dock killing thirteen Crime/Disasters
    In Chicago, rioters attack federal draft enrollment officials arresting two men for refusing to be registered Crime/Disasters
    - In Chicago, the American Medical Association holds its first annual meeting since 1860 Business/Industry
    In Chicago, the cornerstone of the monument at the grave of Stephen Douglas is dedicated. Personal
    - In Chicago, the Democratic Party meets for its national nominating convention Campaigns/Elections
    In Chicago, the new impressive offices of the Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade are inaugurated Business/Industry
    In Chicago, the Union Stockyard's giant livestock market opens Business/Industry
    In Illinois, the Chicago Times reopens after its brief military shutdown Lawmaking/Litigating
    In Naperville, Illinois, courtroom applauds as wife found innocent in sensational Chicago divorce case Lawmaking/Litigating
    In Naperville, Illinois, summing up begins in sensational Chicago elite divorce case Lawmaking/Litigating
    In Naperville, Illinois, the first testimony is heard in sensational Chicago elite divorce case Lawmaking/Litigating
    In Springfield, Illinois, Abraham Lincoln is formally offered the Republican Party nomination for President Campaigns/Elections
    In Springfield, Illinois, Abraham Lincoln receives the news by telegraph of his nomination for President Campaigns/Elections
    John Wentworth dies in Chicago, Illinois Personal
    John Wentworth once again becomes mayor of Chicago Campaigns/Elections
    Juliette Low born in Savannah, Georgia Personal
    Landing in Detroit, Prince Albert begins his historic visit to the United States US/the World
    Leading Chicago newspaper strongly endorses Abraham Lincoln for President Campaigns/Elections
    Leonard Swett dies in Chicago, Illinois Personal
    Lincoln addresses Chicago Republicans Legal/Political
    Lyman Trumbull dies in Chicago, Illinois Personal
    Lyman Trumbull speaks at the People’s Party convention in Chicago, Illinois Campaigns/Elections
    Massive fire burns for hours and destroys a furniture business in Chicago Crime/Disasters
    - National Agricultural Fair in Chicago, Illinois Business/Industry
    New York City's editors meet to condemn infringements of the free press Campaigns/Elections
    New York State Republican Convention selects William H. Seward as its choice for President Campaigns/Elections
    New York Times reports on runaway slave in Kansas Slavery/Abolition
    On Lake Michigan, a Chicago tugboat explodes and kills most of its night crew Crime/Disasters
    On Lake Michigan, two bodies are found from a Chicago tugboat sinking three weeks before Crime/Disasters
    President Buchanan reappoints Isaac Cook as Chicago Postmaster Legal/Political
    President Lincoln's casket lays in state at the State Capitol in Indianapolis, Indiana Personal
    President Lincoln's remains reboard his funeral train for the last time in Chicago bound for Springfield, Illinois and home Personal
    President Pierce appoints Isaac Cook as Chicago Postmaster Legal/Political
    Reaching his home state, President Lincoln's remains arrive in Chicago to a remarkable reception Personal
    Regional army commander Ambrose Burnside orders the closing of the Chicago Times for disloyalty Lawmaking/Litigating
    - Republican National Convention meets in Chicago, Illinois Campaigns/Elections
    Sensational Chicago elite divorce case opens in Naperville, Illinois Lawmaking/Litigating
    South of Chicago, an express hits the back of a local commuter train, killing one and injuring many more Crime/Disasters
    Stephen A. Douglas dies at his home in Chicago, Illinois Personal
    Susannah Evans, the famous Welsh teenage temperance advocate, speaks in Chicago, Illinois Campaigns/Elections
    - The annual national convention of the North American associations of the Y.M.C.A meets in Chicago Religion/Philosophy
    The cornerstone is laid for the new buildings of Chicago's University of St. Mary's of the Lake Education/Culture
    The Great North-Western Sanitary Fair closes in Chicago, Illinois having raised $270,000 Education/Culture
    The Great North-Western Sanitary Fair opens in Chicago, Illinois Education/Culture
    The Illinois State Legislature strongly protests the military shutdown of the Chicago Times Lawmaking/Litigating
    - The National Ship Canal Convention assembles in Chicago with Vice-President Hamlin in the chair Campaigns/Elections
    - The Prince of Wales relaxes on an Illinois farm US/the World
    The Prince of Wales visits Chicago US/the World
    The younger brother of Charles Dickens, living in Chicago, dies of tuberculosis. Personal
    Union Colonel James A. Mulligan, hero of the Battle of Lexington, speaks for a Catholic charity in Philadelphia Education/Culture
    Usher Ferguson Linder dies in Chicago, Illinois Personal
    Young female Chicagoan fined $25 for attending the opera disguised as a man Crime/Disasters
    Name Type
    Central Depot, Chicago, IL Location or Site
    Douglas Monument Park, Chicago, IL Location or Site
    Rosehill Cemetery, Chicago, IL Location or Site
    Tremont House, Chicago, IL Location or Site
    Date Title
    Abraham Lincoln, Speech to Northwestern River and Harbor Convention, Chicago, Illinois, July 6, 1847
    Louisville (KY) Journal, "Negro Stealing," December 14, 1847
    Abraham Lincoln to J. Young Scammon, November 10, 1854
    Abraham Lincoln to Ichabod Codding, November 27, 1854
    Charleston (SC) Mercury, "The Fugitive Law," March 2, 1855
    Abraham Lincoln, Speech at a Republican Banquet, Chicago, Illinois, December 10, 1856
    Lincoln's Notes for Speech at Chicago, February 28, 1857
    New York Times, “Seduction, Abortion, and Death in Chicago,” August 8, 1857
    Abraham Lincoln to James W. Grimes, August 17, 1857
    Abraham Lincoln to Jesse K. Dubois, September 13, 1857
    Abraham Lincoln to Richard Yates, September 30, 1857
    Stephen A. Douglas to John A. McClernand, November 23, 1857
    New York Herald, "The Approaching Conclusion of the Kansas Comedy," January 27, 1858
    John Wentworth to Abraham Lincoln, April 19, 1858
    Norman Buel Judd to Abraham Lincoln, June 1, 1858
    John Wentworth to Abraham Lincoln, June 6, 1858
    New York Times, "Insecurity of Railroads," June 10, 1858
    John L. Scripps to Abraham Lincoln, June 22, 1858
    Joseph Medill to Abraham Lincoln, June 23, 1858
    Charles H. Ray to Abraham Lincoln, July 1, 1858
    Chicago (IL) Press and Tribune, "The Passage at Arms between Lincoln and Douglas in 1854," July 1, 1858
    Recollection by Clarke E. Carr, Stephen A. Douglas, July 9, 1858
    Chicago (IL) Press and Tribune, "Mr. Lincoln’s Speech," July 12, 1858
    New York Herald, “Senator Douglas at Chicago,” July 12, 1858
    New York Times, "Senator Douglas at Chicago," July 13, 1858
    Gustave Philipp Koerner to Abraham Lincoln, July 17, 1858
    (St. Louis) Missouri Republican, "The Progress of Judge Douglas Through Illinois," July 19, 1858
    Lyman Trumbull to Abraham Lincoln, July 19, 1858
    Abraham Smith to Abraham Lincoln, July 20, 1858
    Bangor (ME) Whig and Courier, "Speech of Mr. Lincoln," July 21, 1858
    Chicago (IL) Press and Tribune, "Douglas on the Stump," July 23, 1858
    Abraham Lincoln to Stephen Douglas, July 24, 1858
    Charles H. Ray to Abraham Lincoln, July 27, 1858
    Abraham Lincoln to Stephen Douglas, July 29, 1858
    Charleston (SC) Mercury, "Douglas Tottering!," July 29, 1858
    Ripley (OH) Bee, "The Most Dangerous Foe," July 31, 1858
    Milwaukee (WI) Sentinel, "The Exact Milwaukee Time," July 31, 1858
    Thomas C. Sharp to Ozias Mather Hatch, August 11, 1858
    New York Herald, “The Illinois Campaign,” August 13, 1858
    David Davis to Ozias Mather Hatch, August 16, 1858
    New York Times, "Hot Work in Illinois," August 19, 1858
    Chicago (IL) Press and Tribune, "All Aboard For Ottawa!," August 21, 1858
    Chicago (IL) Press and Tribune, "Great Debate Between Lincoln and Douglas At Ottawa," August 23, 1858
    Milwaukee (WI) Sentinel, "Lincoln and Douglas at Ottawa," August 24, 1858
    Recollection by Joseph Medill, Freeport Debate, August 27, 1858
    Recollection by Ingalls Carleton, Freeport Debate, August 27, 1858
    Recollection by A.A. Terrell, Freeport, August 27, 1858
    Richard James Oglesby to Abraham Lincoln, August 29, 1858
    New York Evening Post, "Senatorial Canvas in Illinois," September 18, 1858
    Lowell (MA) Journal and Courier, "The Senatorial Canvass in Illinois," September 22, 1858
    James G. Wright to Abraham Lincoln, October 11, 1858
    Horace White to Abraham Lincoln, November 5, 1858
    Milwaukee (WI) Sentinel, “The Popular Majority,” November 9, 1858
    Norman Buel Judd to Abraham Lincoln, November 15, 1858
    Norman Buel Judd to Abraham Lincoln, November 20, 1858
    (St. Louis) Missouri Republican, “Judge Douglas,” November 25, 1858
    New York Herald, “Mr. Douglas On His Travels,” November 28, 1858
    Chicago (IL) Press and Tribune, “Mr. Douglas’ Chattels,” December 3, 1858
    New York Times, “Sleeping Cars upon Railroads,” December 31, 1858
    New Orleans (LA) Picayune, “Quick,” January 2, 1859
    Memphis (TN) Appeal, “The Chicago Times, Senator Douglas and the Administration,” January 18, 1859
    Charleston (SC) Mercury, "Slave Stealing in Missouri," March 8, 1859
    Abraham Lincoln to William A. Ross, March 26, 1859
    Chicago (IL) Press and Tribune, “The Beginning of the Presidential Campaign,” April 7, 1859
    New York Times, “Post Office Peculation,” June 2, 1859
    Chicago (IL) Press and Tribune, “Cook and His Enemies,” August 23, 1859
    Joseph Medill to Abraham Lincoln, September 10, 1859
    Chicago (IL) Press and Tribune, “The Obscene Handbill Nuisance,” September 23, 1859
    Charles H. Ray to Abraham Lincoln, October 20, 1859
    Abraham Lincoln to William E. Frazer, November 1, 1859
    Charles Billinghurst to Abraham Lincoln, February 8, 1860
    Horace White to Abraham Lincoln, February 10, 1860
    New York Herald, “Trouble among the Republican President Makers,” February 28, 1860
    Chicago (IL) Press and Tribune, “Fraudulent Voting,” February 28, 1860
    Newark (OH) Advocate, “The Chicago Convention,” March 2, 1860
    Chicago (IL) Press and Tribune, “A Lesson for the South,” March 9, 1860
    Chicago (IL) Press and Tribune, “A Pair of Smart Politicians,” March 14, 1860
    Abraham Lincoln to Samuel Galloway, March 24, 1860
    Chicago (IL) Press and Tribune, “The Wide-Awakes,” April 4, 1860
    Newark (OH) Advocate, “Waking Up to Their Danger,” April 20, 1860
    Chicago (IL) Press and Tribune, “Douglas Nomination,” April 21, 1860
    New York Herald, “The Republican Press on the Chances of Douglas,” April 22, 1860
    Chicago (IL) Press and Tribune, “The Wigwam,” April 25, 1860
    San Francisco (CA) Evening Bulletin, “Seward the Republican Nominee,” April 25, 1860
    Newark (OH) Advocate, “‘Old Judge McLean’,” April 27, 1860
    (Omaha) Nebraskian, “Monument to John Brown,” May 5, 1860
    Milwaukee (WI) Sentinel, “The Coming Conventions,” May 9, 1860
    Atchison (KS) Freedom’s Champion, “The Charleston Convention,” May 12, 1860
    Entry by Orville Browning, May 16, 1860
    - Recollection by Henry C. Whitney, Republican National Convention, May 16-18, 1860
    Chicago (IL) Press and Tribune, “Visit the Mississippi,” May 16, 1860
    - Recollection by Murat Halstead, Republican National Convention, May 16-18, 1860
    Abraham Lincoln's Endorsement on the Margin of the Missouri Democrat, May 17, 1860
    Chicago (IL) Press and Tribune, "The Convention Week in Chicago," May 17, 1860
    Joshua Reed Giddings to Abraham Lincoln, May 19, 1860
    Richmond (VA) Dispatch, “The Chicago Convention,” May 21, 1860
    Charleston (SC) Courier, "A Great Error," May 22, 1860
    (Jackson) Mississippian, "The Objects of the Black Republican Party Boldly Avowed," May 22, 1860
    Raleigh (NC) Standard, “The Chicago Convention,” May 23, 1860
    Ripley (OH) Bee, “The Candidates,” May 24, 1860
    Chicago (IL) Press and Tribune, “Going – Going – Gone!,” May 24, 1860
    Newark (OH) Advocate, “Lincoln and Hamlin,” May 25, 1860
    Chicago (IL) Press and Tribune, “The New York Sun on Lincoln,” May 28, 1860
    Schuyler Colfax to Abraham Lincoln, May 30, 1860
    Newark (OH) Advocate, “Abraham Lincoln,” June 1, 1860
    Milwaukee (WI) Sentinel, “Getting Their Eyes Open,” June 11, 1860
    Richard W. Thompson to Abraham Lincoln, June 12, 1860
    Cleveland (OH) Herald, “The Great Tornado,” June 13, 1860
    John L. Scripps to Abraham Lincoln, June 18, 1860
    New York Herald, “The Reception of the Nomination of Douglas,” June 24, 1860
    Abraham Lincoln to Richard W. Thompson, July 10, 1860
    John L. Scripps to Abraham Lincoln, July 11, 1860
    John L. Scripps to Abraham Lincoln, July 17, 1860
    New York Herald, “The Dreadful Steamboat Accident on Lake Michigan,” September 9, 1860
    David Hunter to Abraham Lincoln, October 20, 1860
    David Wilmot to Abraham Lincoln, October 20, 1860
    (Montpelier) Vermont Patriot, “Illinois Sure for Douglas,” October 27, 1860
    Milwaukee (WI) Sentinel, "Look Out for Illegal Votes!," November 1, 1860
    Chicago (IL) Tribune, "Pro-Slavery Tricks," November 6, 1860
    New York Herald, "Morality Out West," November 11, 1860
    Chicago (IL) Tribune, "The Great Case," November 21, 1860
    New York Herald, “Untitled,” November 23, 1860
    Cleveland (OH) Herald, “Boy Mail Robber,” December 10, 1860
    New York Times,“A Visit to Mr. Lincoln,” December 20, 1860
    John P. Verree to Abraham Lincoln, January 1, 1861
    Newark (OH) Advocate, “Obtaining Votes Under False Pretences,” January 18, 1861
    New York Times, “Rumored Invasion of the South,” January 25, 1861
    Abraham Lincoln's Speech at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, February 15, 1861
    Fayetteville (NC) Observer, “North Carolina and Secession,” April 4, 1861
    Cleveland (OH) Herald, “A Rugged Issue,” April 5, 1861
    Chicago (IL) Tribune, “How To Execute It,” April 8, 1861
    Memphis (TN) Appeal, "The Underground Railroad," April 9, 1861
    Joseph Medill to Abraham Lincoln, April 15, 1861
    New York Times, “Famine Among the Confederates,” June 20, 1861
    John P. Crawford to Abraham Lincoln, August 10, 1861
    Abraham Lincoln, Reply to Emancipation Memorial Presented by Chicago Christians of All Denominations, September 13, 1862
    New York Herald, “The Pen and the Sword,” May 17, 1863
    Abraham Lincoln, Speech at Great Central Sanitary Fair, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, June 16, 1864
    "The President on Reconstruction," Chicago Tribune, April 14, 1865
    "The Great Calamity," Chicago Tribune, April 17, 1865
    "The Consequence," Chicago Tribune, April 17, 1865
    "The Mask Removed," Chicago Tribune, February 21, 1866
    "Mrs. Swisshelm Guillotined," Chicago Tribune, March 2, 1866
    "Colored Suffrage in Wisconsin," Chicago Tribune, March 29, 1866
    How to Cite This Page: "Chicago, IL," House Divided: The Civil War Research Engine at Dickinson College, https://hd.housedivided.dickinson.edu/node/9235.