1933 Map of Chicago Incorporated as a Town August 5 1833
DESCRIPTION
This pictorial map of early Chicago, dated 1833, was produced for distribution at the Century of Progress World’s Fair in Chicago during 1933–34. Created to celebrate the centennial of the city’s incorporation, it presents a nostalgic and romanticized image of the small frontier settlement that would later become one of America’s great metropolises.
The map centers on the town grid of Chicago, shown with a population of just 350 residents. Streets are named, and tiny illustrations depict early churches, mills, and houses. Trails and roads radiate outward from the town, marked with their destinations, including the road to Detroit, the trail to Danville, and the Green Bay Road.
Vignettes enrich the map with visual details of Chicago’s earliest landmarks and daily life. Fort Dearborn appears prominently along the river, while the Temple Building of 1833, South Water Street, and State Street in 1836 are shown with period character. Scenes of Native Americans, settlers, and boats on Lake Michigan and the Chicago River evoke the community’s frontier atmosphere.
Though based on original maps from around 1833, the piece reflects the optimism of the Century of Progress Fair. Issued as a souvenir, it served as both an educational reminder of Chicago’s modest origins and a celebratory image of the city’s remarkable growth over the course of a single century.
CONDITION
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