The Great Chicago Fire 1871 Before/After

The Eastland Disaster: Then and Now

The Great Chicago Fire (New Book 2017)

I have partnered with Chicago's own history cop - Ray Johnson - and we are co-authors of a new picture book on the Great Chicago Fire of 1871! It has over 200 incredible pictures of before/after, along with lithographs of the fire itself, along with some pictures that have never been published before. It is on Arcadia Books and distributed nation wide! Here is a look at the cover. The book was released Oct 2nd 2017

If you want a signed new copy (by both of us) I have many available at my web site: www.johnboda.com 

Chicago Water Crib and Scope of the Great Fire 1871

The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 was so huge, hot, and incredible, that it seemed to spread by the air itself. To understand the scope of this fire storm, consider this: John Tolland was stationed at the water crib, and lived there with his family in 1871. That was (and still is) TWO MILES out in Lake Michigan to bring fresh water into Water Works by way of a large pipe on the bottom. After the fire, he testified that he spent many hours struggling to save the crib from the fire brands and embers landing on the roof! Here is today's crib (different but in the same spot) from the lake taken from a sailboat, and the others from Chicago Avenue at the shore. On the panoramic one, look hard. It is near the center!

Court of Honor at The Columbian Exposition Chicago World's Fair 1893

Eastland Drawing 1915: Updated Color and Effects John Boda 2015