Route 66 starts from Chicago
How Chicago Is Evolving
Chicago is one of the busiest and largest cities in the United States, and for good reason. Nearly 3 million people currently reside here, with many more than that (9.7 million) in the city at any given time thanks to tourism, business and recreation. Thanks to its location on the shores of Lake Michigan, Chicago offers unmet entertainment, cultural, shopping and recreation events for locals and tourists alike. The many luxury hotels dotting the city and its wonderful skyline, along with the Chicago river, give visitors all sorts of things to do to ensure a vacation of your lifetime, or even a great night out on the town.
A Brief History Of Chicago
Perhaps one of the most intriguing and controversial times in Chicago is the city’s storied gangland reputation. Since the 1920’s, Chicago has been world renowned for the role it played during the prohibition decade. This has been helped by various Hollywood movies glamorizing this controversial time in Chicago, such as ‘The Untouchables’. Al Capone single handedly changed the face of Chicago as he pretty much made the city his own playground. Known for his relentlessness and slipperiness, he always seemed to be one step ahead of the law.
Other than the city’s storied gangland reputation, there is even more tragedy that took place just a few decades before. The Great Chicago Fire of 1893 claimed almost 300 lives, destroyed more than 2,000 acres, 17,000 buildings, 73 miles of road and left 90,000 homeless. The city also suffered $222,000 in damages, which was astronomically high in 1893. What’s worse is that this isn’t even the most tragic fire the city has endured. In December of 1903, the Iroquois Theater burned to the ground and left more than 600 deaths. This is, to this day, the single most deadly building fire in American history.
You would think with such a controversial and tragic past, that Chicago would be suffering to this day to overcome the many adversities it has been faced with. But the city is incredibly resilient and has continually rebuilt itself, becoming an economic powerhouse today. Because of its prime location, Chicago is a perfect place for business meetings, family vacations or even a short get away. The city has a thriving culture and is rich with art and entertainment. Regardless of how hustling the city may seem, there will always be something to do and somewhere to be.
The Windy City (Chicago) has a very healthy economy and is well balanced. There is no one industry that dominates the local economy, rather than a majority of industries and businesses that have a hand in creating an even more promising future for the city. Chicago is the third largest metropolitan in the United States, with the second largest business district, which has banks, financial institutions and future exchanges, to brokerage firms and insurance companies.
The fact of the matter is, the future of Chicago is even brighter than one can imagine, and one that is continually changing for the best and is always making itself an industry leader.
