| | Chicago:
Growth of a Metropolis.
Harold M. Mayer and Richard
C. Wade.
Covering the prairie city's growth
from 1830 until the book's initial publication in 1969,
the authors tell the story of Chicago in illustrations,
maps and photographs. Through the first we see the small
seaport's early growth and through the last we see the seaport
boom into the most important city in the Midwestern United
States. Each chapter cover roughly twenty years, the first
two leading up to the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, where
photos can most dramatically show both the prosperity of
the city and its subsequent destruction. The rebuilding
of the city follows, through to the significant events of
the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893, the building boom
of the 1920's, the rise of the suburbs and public housing
around World War II, ending at the high-rise building boom
taking place as the authors penned the book. Thankfully,
Mayer and Wade fill in the gaps between these events with
the wide exposure that's required to document the city's
growth. In addition to the significant buildings featured
in architecture guides and architectural history books,
the duo spends equal time showing us lower-income areas,
outlying areas, industrial areas and the like. Although
much has changed since the book's publication (and second
edition in 1973), Chicago stands as a fitting testement
to the strength and drive of the Midwestern metropolis.
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