Coinciding with our Chicago Futures lecture, The Resurrected City, Chicago Studies presents The Great Chicago Fire Tour, a specially curated tour of ten stops tracing the steps of the most destructive event in Illinois state history. From an introduction and stop by the fabled O'Leary barn, to the North side of town, to the South branch of the river, you will see the iconic sights Chicago has to offer while learning more about one of the most notorious episodes in the city's history. So, join us as we follow the burning historical trail of The Great Chicago Fire. View the tour here.
10 Stops Along a Fiery Trail
- Introduction: A Great Fire Indeed
- The O'Leary Barn
- The Scramble to Save West Division
- Crossing the South Branch
- Downtown Chicago
- The Courthouse
- Fleeing Downtown
- The Great Surge Across the Water
- "Northbound!" Said the Fire
- Conclusion and Aftermath
Tour based on Carl Smith's book, Chicago's Great Fire: The Destruction and Resurrection of an Iconic American City. Includes old West Division, South Division and Downtown Chicago, and Old North Division.
This tour was produced by Akwe McDaniels and Chris Skrable.
Research and content creation by Akwe and Chris.
Voiceovers provided by Akwe, Chris, Tess Conway, and Shannon Morrissey.
Just the tour not enough? Check out Carl Smith's Talk with us about the Great Chicago Fire and its aftermath.
NOTE: The Vamonde app has been deprecated by Chicago Studies and while archived content is still available, new tour content will be found exclusively on our website.