Chicago in the Gilded Age

Chicago is perhaps the most vivid example of the Gilded Age in all its glory and squalor. It experienced unbelievable growth through the period: in 1870 its population was just under 300,000; three decades later it was almost 1.7 million, As the city was rebuilt after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, it became the birthplace of the skyscraper and a hotbed of innovative architecture, and in 1893 Chicago established itself as an important global city.

During and after the Civil War these advantages made Chicago the largest railroad hub in America, a major shipping center, and a prime location for the
rapidly growing manufacturing, industrial, and agricultural businesses of the nation. Growing industry required a bigger work force. Many new industrial workers were recent arrivals to the United States from Europe. Illinois was a popular destination for European immigrants because it offered opportunities for work in manufacturing, farming, and other businesses,

Unlike the Gilded age of New York, Chicago was busting with New money or “Nouveau Riche” or “Newly Rich”families.

Wealthy Entrepreneur and Society families

• Field Family -- (Department Stores)
• Palmer Family -- (Businessman & Developer)
• Pullman Family --(Engineer and Industrialist)
• Armour Family --(Meatpacking Industrialist)
• Burnham Family --(Architect and Urban Designer)
• Nickerson Family --(Distillery, Railroad and Banking)
• Getty Family --(Lumber Merchant)
• Ryerson Family--(Lumber Merchant)
• McCormick Family--( Agricultural Inventor and Businessman)
• Ogden Family --(Politician, Mayor, and Railroad)
• Yerkes Family --( Finance & Mass Transit)
• Insull Family--(Utilities Business Magnate & investor.
• Glessner Family --(Agricultural Machinery & Businessman)
• Leiter Family-- ( Department Store & Businessman) '