Chicagology

Chicagology is a study of Chicago history through the lens of building development from 1830 to 1930. In order to keep this information at a manageable level and to minimize nostalgic enthusiasm, events and buildings are not covered after 1930.

Chicagology is the cumulative result of over 20 years of research. If Chicagology were published as a book, it would fill 11,000 pages, plus 17,000 illustrations, maps and photographs. There are over fifty topics and over 2,400 entries, with an average of 1,900 words per entry. Social sharing is included. Every article’s original source is cited at the beginning of each article.

Where other Chicago history resources may provide a small paragraph referencing a primary source, Chicagology provides the original published article in its entirety to provide historical context and avoid any editorial narrative. Chicagology has debunked several urban myths and falsehoods as a result this process.

A few of the topics covered are Pre-Fire, Rebuilding, Golden Age and Skyscraper Architectural Eras, the Great Fire of 1871, World Expositions of 1893 and 1933, Bicycles, Breweries, Gangsters, Sports, Retail Institutions, etc. Each building described has its own entry. For example, the Home Insurance Building, considered to be the first skyscraper, has 7,700 words and 14 illustrations.