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A Day, Or Two, At The Chicago History Museum

Upon arriving in Chicago too early to check into our gorgeous hotel right across from Wrigley Field we decided to check out the local history museum. We have generally found these to be nicely done and in a way that prompts more interest in the area the local museum is located. The Chicago History Museum was no different. We enjoyed it so much, we actually went back again the next day! It had displays (rooms) dedicated to the music scene, the innovation relative to Chicago, the great Chicago fire, the gangland scene along with moonshine during prohibition.

An oil painting depicting the great Chicago fire.
Norman Rockwell’s famous painting of Mrs. O’Leary and her cow. Rumor has it that her cow tipped the gas lantern near its foot over and that started the fire. Her house was not damaged in the fire adding to the suspicion. Time has not ruled this out but most historians figure she was blamed as she was a poor Irish immigrant.
It was a hot fire indeed. Above note the cue ball to a billiard set, slate pencils and iron carriage bolts all melted in the fire.
We wonder if this would go over well in today’s society??

Instead of trying to outline the music scene in Chicago myself I figured the following 5 placards did it justice. See what you think.

Seriously????
Our tour guide made sure we understood that many of the local breweries did not have a national following because all of the beer produced was consumed locally!!
What an awesome scene. That’s a lot of beer!
Chicago was also an early hub for rail and canal activity. Just as in NY the canal era was very short-lived due to the advent of rail. Gotta love what the industry called “the cow catcher” on the front of all locomotives.
The nation’s second El Train system (elevated above street level) was used to transport folks to the World’s Fair of 1933. This exhibit was very nicely done. Not sure how they got it into the museum in the first place?
Many of the local Chicago based companies showed off their wares at this fair..
Did not know that Schwinn had its humble beginnings in Chicago.
I remember calling a blender an “Osterizer”. All three of these common household appliances were made by Oster in Chicago.
Not so modern but useful in more rural America….A creme separating machine.
McCormick Farmall tractor gave John Deere and International Harvester a run for their money back in the day.
The Victor adding machine. Ah…the simple days of long ago. Not sure why folks simply did not do the math in their head?

Many of the gadgets shown off at the World’s Fair were focussing on a sleek looking design. It supposedly made things look more modern. You decide…

Interesting looking luxurious baby pram eh?
My little red wagon did not look this sleek and modern.
Even the Wrigley company used a streamlined design to promote its products.

Chicago was also the leading city in early catalog sales with Sears & Roebuck and Montgomery Ward leading the way.

Early e-commerce you could say?
Doesn’t everyone look that happy after ordering stuff online these days?

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