Legend has it that Mrs. O'Leary's pesky cow kicked over a lantern that spread fire throughout our fair city in 1871, killing hundreds and destroying just about everything within four square miles. If the story is true, that's one destructive bovine.
The Department of Cultural Affairs presents an exhibition of photographs taken in the aftermath of the Great Chicago Fire now through Aug. 23 at the City Gallery in the Historic Water Tower. On loan from Bank of America, the photos in the collection were taken in early November 1871, about three weeks after the fire tore through the exact same area where the photos are now on display. There are no known photographs of the actual fire; these photographs snapped by an unknown photographer depict the great fire's devastation. Admission to this exhibit is free.
Historic Water Tower
806 N. Michigan Ave.
312-744-2400
