Wilmington daily gazette., 1874-03-24
The Growth of Western Cities, and
the increa3e in Suburban
lnVeStEontS.

A Chicago paper throws some light upon the
mode in which many OF the men of that wonder
ful city acquired the fine fortunes they now pos.
sess. In many instances these fortunes were
made by strangers who went TO the city and pur-
chased land, which residents did not dare to iu-
vest in at the supposed high rates demanded, and
yet subsequent events proved that the purchasers
were wise in. their investments. But the same
story may be repeated of nearly every Western
city, and many on the Atlantic seaboard, during
the past twenty yeaIs. Our own city is not an
exception. Iuvestments in suburban property
nearly always pays. But Chicago, as our contem-
porary well says, sis marvel" aud We do not
know that our readers be better entertained
or proftted than 10y pcrusing a few extracts to
call their attention to the facts that present them
selves u consequence Of the wonderful growth
OF this great hive OF industry. The Souh SIDE
Ne,os says.
"Within four decades Chicago has grown cut
OF forbidding, miry Wilderness through hap
tlsms OF depopulating epidemics and devastating
fires, to the rank of the first inland city of COM
mercial importance the fist ia spirit of enter
prise; the first in magnihcence of its business
palaces, and the fourth in population the
American continent. Thousands have grown
rich III Its commerce; thousands nave gained
princeiy fortunes through lis growth and i'm
proven ent, and many thousands mole have the
comforts and tie iuxuries OF liio through general
prosperity, Its real estate has advanced from
zero to a fortune per foot, aud the current pTi-
ces now would a few years ago have been rs-
teemed the widest dream OF IA luuatic.
The Chicago and Caumt Canal and Dock Co
brought land some three years ago for $3.50 900
which is now worth s. 900 000 at taxable valua-
lion
Mr.. Emrick pads per acre for sc acres, SIX
years ago Nearly one year since he sold 100
acres for $4,000 This land lies in Section 3,
81, ID. Here was an advance of four thousand
per cent. in five years Did It pay?
In Tsylor's Addition, South Chicago land two
years ago sold from Ss00 to $500 per acre.
One year since it readily brought 81 200 per
acre, and now, having been subdivided some nino
months ago, 1t Is sold daily tor $3.50 10 Si00 per
lot.
Land is selling at Englewood at $50 to $l9O
per foot and still it is growing rapidly. In Bsck's
Subdlv islon lots are selling readily at $50 and
1000 eacb where three years since tho land sold
at $500 per acre.
On the lake shore i'll the neghhofhoo ood Of I.
). IL j. Fitch, property has risen IN value within
TWO years from 81 900 to 81 900 per acre. These
are only specimens OF the "tIdalwave" through
out these southern suburbs, and this Is scarcely
the beginning OF our Development. Most OF
this property has but Just been put into the retail
market Its growth has thus lar been spon tame.
Gus and without publicity. What then may we
reasonably expect ifpubc attention is drawn to
these points, possessing unparalleled advantages
Ihe miles Of docksge on the Calumet the 200
railroad trains per day at the Grand Crossing
the beautiful residence property along the lake
shore from the city limits to Cornell and South
Chicago; thei attractive educational centre OF
Englewood the magnificent parks aud boulevards
III the midst, with city at our side OF near half a
million people, whose expanding manufactures
and commerce In the pas! aud present only too
surely augur coming city stretching south ward
to the head of the great lake, and sharing with
The Calumet and the network of railroads to the
West and industries and;tratfc which have already
out grown the present boundaries OF this greal
metropolis
Let those who have small savings which would
sink out of sight in the present heart of the city
those who have seen banks fail and stocks tumble
into nothing-those who have seen colossal for
tunes creep in upon the possessors OF land 1t
icago and vicInity-those who would surely
acc to their estates-let all such invest in thes,
suburbs-it aciH pay.