New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-07-24
CHICAGO.
PAST. PRESENT. AND FUTURE.

cpowTU OF THE CITY-CRAMPED AND REPUL-
sIvE CONDITION OF ITS HARBoR-sUCCEss OF
THE NEW SCHEME FOR PURIFYING THE
RIvER--RooM WANTED FOR MANUFACTURING
OPENING THE CALUMET RINER-PROSPECIS
OF SOUTH CHICAGO.
CHICAGO July 19.-Turning the tide of the
chicago River up stream-the feat just accomplished,
and over which there is great rejoicing in the enterprs
ira Prairie Cty-is event deserving of moro than
1asing notice. The present site Of the City OF chicago
WAS less than bali century ago. mere morass pene
,rated by muddy bayou, extending five miles back
from Lake Michigan to the bluff summit that defines
rho territory drained respectively by the great lakes ana
the Mississippi River This bluff is traeeable entirely
oruud the Southern end OF Lake Michigan ana without
doubt indicates the ancient border OF the lake.
Thus the Chicago River or the bayou penetrating ths
arshy bottom land drained an exceedingly narrow pei'
of country the most Of which was elevated Dut Few
inches above the water level Of the lake. Indeed the
water in the BAYOU throughout its length, retained the
same level as the lake. and therefore without cur
rent Immediately the slight buif. or summit inc
Illinois River took its rise through which all the PACK
country was drained into the Mississippi RIVER ana
thence into the Gulf OF Mexico. The building OF the Guy
upon the immediate shore Of the lake, and along the
course of the bayou known as the chicago
River, necessitatcd the elevation OF the Ell,
tire plateau 10 secure dry foundation and
sufficient drainage, while the demands OF the COM
merce centcring * the new city required the deepening
Widening Of the old bayou TO form q harhor Thus
The site of the city was artifciay raised average OF
six feet while the bayou dredged out TO depth Of
from 10 to IS feet and widened 10 from $50 to 200 feet
both in its main arm and along the two branches into
which il separates Il short distance from its mouth.
IRE GROWTH OF CHICAGO.
Thirfy-hve wears ago the attention OF enterprising
people Of the Els first attracted to this promising
region as offering desirable site for city. To-day the
city that has since grown the marshy foundation that
borders the Chicago River boasts population OF 200
souls making the fifth in population the continent
The corporate limits Of the city extend miles along
the lake shore and average of five miles back, In
Guiding of about IS square miles. The compacty
built portion Of the city extends nine miles along the
lake shore and an average Of three miles
back, embracing 81 square miles. This area Is
not only eompactly built, but much OF IL
is covered with elegant and substantial structures
both for business purposes and residences including
massive buildings Of stone ron and brick, erected with
the highest regard TO architectural beauty and effect.
Tho older cities Of the Union boast finer, more
substantial costly ediees Chicago takes rank
to-day as the greatest railroad center Of the North West
No less than twenty lines Of railroad converge here.
reaching out in all directions, and connecting
the city with every portion . OF the coun-
try BY means OF these railroad facilities,
added the position Of the city at the extreme head OF
navigation on great lakes, Chicago has come TO be
the most considerable market in the country for at least
three great staples. Her shipments Of -four and grain,
which in 1898 aggregated but 70 bushels amounted last
year to 64469O3 bushels, which immense figures were
greatly exceeded in 1866 the great grain year, when
64s bushels shipped. The transactions III 1--we
stock during the year 1870 were a follows.