a study for the Great Chicago Fire cyclorama by H. H. Cross.
Panic at the Rush Street Bridge
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Pandemonium reigned at the Rush Street Bridge, the last bridge to burn in the early morning hours of October 9, 1871. This scene depicts people, carts, and horses going in both directions at once: most are heading north, although that section of the city is burning, too. Note the Chicago Water Tower standing in the distance, one of the few buildings to survive the fire.
Escaping to the river
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This portion of the mural depicts people rushing toward the Chicago River, hoping to escape the blazing city by boat. This view is looking eastward, toward the mouth of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan.
Burning of the Old United States Marine Hospital
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Built in 1850 and 1851, the Marine Hospital stood on Michigan Avenue near the site of old Fort Dearborn and the Rush Street Bridge. It occupied land that once belonged to the United States government and provided medical care for military veterans, including those from the Civil War.
Explore online exhibition about the Great Chicago Fire
Purchase the Great Chicago Fire app
http://blog.chicagohistory.org/index.php/2013/10/great-chicago-fire-cyclorama/#more-7049
THE BOOK OF CHICAGOANS 1905 by Marquis,p.247 GROSS, Howard H., dealer in paving materials and corporation organizer;born Marathon, New York September 27,1853(died October 16,1920 Chicago); son of Dr. John C. and Caroline Hyde (Care) Gross;educated Galva, Illinois High School, followed by 2 years as law student,as preparation for business...from 1885 to 1893, employing a corps of artists,painted and put up 28 Cycloramas from London, England, to Melbourne, Australia; subjects: Gettysburg, Siege of Paris,Waterloo, Jerusalem, Niagara, CHICAGO FIRE//I am writing the first book from the American point of view about 19th century rotunda panoramas. These were the biggest paintings in the world, 50 x 400=20,000 square feet, housed in their own rotundas which were 16-sided polygons. Chicago in 1893 had 6 panorama companies and 6 panorama rotundas. I AM HHG's BIOGRAPHER. Much info to share. genemeier@frontier.com
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