FUN WITH MAPS ISSUE 2026-035

By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (March 4, 2026) – This issue of Fun with Maps recognizes the anniversary of Chicago gaining status as a ‘city’.

THE WINDY CITY

Chicago was promoted from town status to a city on March 4, 1837.  It had previously been incorporated as a town in 1833.

Chicago was founded as a trading post by Jean Baptiste Point du Sable on the shore of Lake Michigan.  Its strategic location for both land and water transportation, and later as a railroad hub, spurred rapid growth.  With the emphasis on westward expansion of the United States, Chicago was ideally situated to prosper.

The Great Fire of 1871 destroyed most of the central city and led to the development of today’s city skyline, including the birth of the skyscraper.

Chicago firsts include: introduction of the zipper and the Ferris Wheel at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, the brownie and Twinkie, canned spray paint, and an NFL founding member team.

This folding map of Chicago by McDonald from 1871 shows the extent of the great fire in red.

Steve Kovacs and his wife Theresa reside in Loveland, Ohio where they raised their two children. He is a passionate collector of antique maps.

Visit his antique map boutique world-on-paper online. Watch for his daily feature Steve Kovacs: Fun with Maps here on Loveland Beacon.