The Great Chicago Fire of 1871

According to legend, a cow belonging to Mrs. Catherine O'Leary kicked over an oil lamp, igniting the barn, which started the three-day fire that raced across Chicago, destroying everything in its path. Though no one really knows if the cow was responsible, the Great Chicago Fire claimed 18,000 buildings and nearly 26,000 acres of the thriving city. This fascinating book traces the history of the city, as well as the fire itself, explaining why Chicago was ready to burn. Vivid imagery and eyewitness accounts bring the horror of the inferno alive as the fire raced across the city, destroying neighborhoods and landmarks alike.