Talk:Great Chicago Fire
From Academic Kids
An event mentioned in this article is an October 8 selected anniversary.
Was one third of the city destroyed? how much of it was destroyed?
Is it just me or does this contradict itself? It says that the legend of O'Leary's farm isn't true, then says that it did start at O'Leary's farm. Huh? --Jodan
- I think it's just you. It says that the fire at O'Leary's farm was started (in legend) by a cow, but (in reality) by the man who first reported it. -- Someone else 22:12, 7 Oct 2003 (UTC)
Then it goes on to say "The Great Chicago Fire did start in Kate O'Leary's barn around 9:00 p.m. on October 8, 1871." after that. Should it be clear that this is indeed a legend? --Jodan
- It appears that "Pegleg" Sullivan started the fire in the barn. The "legend" is that the cow started the fire in the barn. There's no doubt that the fire started in the barn. More info at this webpage (http://www.uh.edu/engines/epi1266.htm). -- Someone else 23:42, 8 Oct 2003 (UTC)
I've heard a theory that the Chicago fire was caused by an asteroid impact, apparently this is not a quack theory but is supported by some evidence, such as areas of forest land being flattened in the surrounding area which is consistent with a large explosion. Has anyone else heard this theory? I'll see if I can find out more. G-Man 00:45, 18 Feb 2004 (UTC)
- There is a theory about this, which claims the meteorite landed in Lake Michigan. Some of the evidence is the near-simultaneous fires in Peshtigo, Wisconsin and Saugatuk, Michigan. The comet theory was first espoused in 1883 but was popularized by Robert Wood who believes it was caused by the breakup of Comet Biela. shsilver
Daniel Sullivan - arson or accident?
It's unclear whether Sullivan purportedly started the fire by accident, or intentionally. Anyone know?
- Oh... from the link above, So Sullivan had been in the barn himself. Bayles thinks he started the fire by dropping his pipe -- or maybe by kicking over a lantern.
Rebuilding after the fire
Many years ago I saw a documentary on architectural history that mentioned the rebuilding of Chicago after the fire: there had been a sum of money raised by the people of Glasgow, Scotland, to help the citizens of Chicago rebuild, and in memory of this there was a square built in Chicago that resembles George Square in Glasgow - does anyone know if this is actually true or was it just an urban myth?
