"No one can realize the utter ruin everywhere existing unless they see for themselves. But, Chicago will rise again." - James T. Hunt, 14 October 1871 (excerpt from a letter included here)

Around 8:30 p.m. on 8 October 1871, on Chicago's south side, a fire began in or around a small barn owned by the O'Leary family, which destroyed large sections of south, central, and north side Chicago. Over the course of two days, the fire destroyed 17,000 buildings, including Chicago's courthouse, and killed nearly 300 people. In the immediate aftermath, aid flowed into the city from as far away as the United Kingdom, whose donation of books spurred the establishment of the Chicago Public Library system. Of the city's approximately 324,000 residents at the time, 90,000 were left homeless by the blaze, and over $222 million ($5.7 billion today) in damage was caused. The day after the fire burned itself out, the Chicago Tribune proclaimed, “CHEER UP. In the midst of a calamity without parallel in the world’s history, looking upon the ashes of thirty years’ accumulations, the people of this once beautiful city have resolved that CHICAGO SHALL RISE AGAIN.”

Included in this archive are:

1) A ledger numbering approximately 115 pages related to the business operations of Rees, Chase, & Co., ca. 1837-1857. Folio. (Some pages disbound, chipping along edges, dampstaining.) Late 19th century grey buckram (rubbing, soiling).

2) A group of 8 letters written by survivors and witnesses to the Great Chicago Fire in its immediate aftermath, October 1871.

3) 3 pieces of paper materials salvaged from the fire.

4) 25 commemorative and pre-fire merchant tokens.

5) A pair of documents relating to pre-fire Chicago, including a stock certificate and a real estate deed.

6) 7 magazines relating to the fire, including Harper's Weekly (21 October, 28 October, 4 November 1871); Every Saturday (28 October 1871); Land Owner, A Journal of Real Estate Building & Development (February 1872, June 1872, April 1873).

7) Approximately 25 photographs and prints related to the Great Chicago Fire.