The Loop District in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Great Chicago Fire
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 10, 2024
1. The Great Chicago Fire Marker
1871 The Great Chicago Fire. It began on the southwest side of the city and due to high winds it swept through the entire area. A miraculous number of citizens survived due to the bridges which allowed them to flee to safety. Many of these were destroyed but by 1872 they were replaced by larger and stronger swing bridges.
Erected 2000.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Disasters. In addition, it is included in the The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 series list. A significant historical date for this entry is October 8, 1871.
Location. 41° 53.26′ N, 87° 36.854′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in The Loop District. It is at the intersection of Chicago Riverwalk and Jean Baptiste Point du Sable Lake Shore Drive (U.S. 41), on the right when traveling west on Chicago Riverwalk. The mural is in the underpass beneath Lake Shore Drive. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chicago IL 60601, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Early Chicago River Crossings (a few steps from this marker); Riverview Park (a few steps from this marker); Chicago River 2000 (a few steps from this marker); Chicago Riverwalk 2000 (a few steps from this marker); South Branch of the Chicago River 2000 (a few steps from this marker); A Century of Progress (a few steps from this marker); The Michigan Avenue Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Illinois and Michigan Canal (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.
More about this marker. The mural is one of several erected in the Chicago Riverwalk's tunnel beneath Lake Shore Drive, close to where the Chicago River meets Lake Michigan.
Also see . . . Great Chicago Fire of 1871. From the Chicago Architecture Center (Submitted on December 5, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 10, 2024
2. Chicago Riverwalk murals beneath Lake Shore Drive
H.H. Gross, artist; courtesy of Chicago History Museum (ICHi-178194-E3)
3. The Great Chicago Fire of 1871
This scene near the Chicago River was part of a cyclorama (first displayed in 1893) that depicts the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 5, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 68 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 5, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 2. submitted on December 4, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 3. submitted on December 5, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
