A schoolchild's first history lesson on the Windy City recounts the story of Mrs. O'Leary's cow and the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Between 1850 and 1870, Chicago's growth was phenomenal and city population grew from 3,000 to 300,000. This unregulated growth lead to extreme problems with city services, forcing many buildings to be raised as much as five feet.
   After the firestorm that leveled 18,000 buildings and four square miles, rebuilding took on a consolidated method. The modern skyscraper utilized fireproofing and internal steel framework. With the introduction of electric and steam powered elevators, higher buildings were added. Unfortunately many new buildings were only duplicates of the originals, following old plans. Still in all, many lasted well into the next century. The city's urban transformation is one of America's long line of success stories.
   The Chicago skyline is much different today. After the first skyscraper was completed in 1884, Chicago went on to fill the sky with exceptional buildings, e.g., Sears Tower (now the Willis Tower), Two Prudential Plaza, Aon Center and the John Hancock Building. This beautiful evening view looks across the edge of Lake Michigan from the Adler Planetarium. Proud of its city parks, shopping centers and incredible skyscrapers, the Windy City continues to impressive its visitors.

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