Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1871-10-19
THE RUINED CITY.
General Description of Chicago.

The city, as is well known, is i'm
mediately on the shore of Lake
Michigan. The Chicago river flows
into the lake not far from the mid
die of the city north and south. A
little less than mile from the lake
the river divides into two branches,
which are called respectively the
North and the South branch. There
are thus, as matter of fact, three
divisions of the city, which are
recognized in law also, and known
as North, South and West Divisions:
Of these the West Division is the
largest in extent, and contains the
most people, but the great bulk of
the business of Chicago is done in
the South Division. Here are the
banks, the great hotels, the Boards
of Trade, the Chamber of Commerce,
offices of all the daily journals, the
great wholesale houses, most of the
theatres, the opera house, DC, dc.
There are many manufactures in
the North and West Divisions, but
the great active life of Chicago is
south of the Chicago river, be-
tween the lake and the South
branch. In this space for dis
tance of about eight blocks
from the main river, the great bust
ness operations of the city are per
formed. This part of the city has
been noted for its great and splendid
buildings. Here for many consecu-
tive blocks, were vast structures,
beautiful in design and wonderfully
imposing in general effect. The
part of Lake street on this side of
the river, and the second street from
the principal stream, is not surpass-
ed by any street in America. No
part of Broadway, for SO great
distance, is equal to it. At the
head of this street, on the lake, is
the great Union Depot, built stone
and iron, and about as large as the
capitol of the United States. Three
blocks distant was the fremont
House, larger than any hotel in
Washington, now in ruins. The
streets crossing this and parallel
Herewith were all built up with no
BILE structures, magnificent proofs
of the enterprising spirit of the cit
izens of Chicago.
One of the crossing streets
is the famous Wabash avenue, the
most noted city drive of the metrop-
oils, adorned with thousand resi-
dences and many great churches.
Michigan avenue, fronting on the
lake, is another. In point of resi-
dences this is the Fifth avenue of
Chicago. r..t .tG.n.
The North Division, near the
lake, has many fine residences, which
are noted for extensive grounds and
elaborate ornamentation by trees
and shrubbery. But there are no
such great business houses here as
on the south side; neither are there
on the west side; but this side of
the city does much. business, and
always wears an animated look.
Some of the finest residences of
the city are here, and also some of
the most noted churches. In all
parts of the city except the northern
part-for, say, three-quarters of a
mile from Chicago river-there are
many wooden buildings The city is
not, in all parts of the city, com
pactly built. 1t is about twelve
miles long, north and south, and
about six miles wide; being, in fact,
one of the most extensive cities, in
geographical area, in the world. In
front ofthe city is the lake, in the
rear vast expanse of prairie. So
that when the winds do blow at
Chicago, they blow with great force.
Such has been the case during the
terrible visitation of which we now
speak.