Chicago West / Site of origin of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 / Pillar of Fire - by Egon Weiner

Pillar of Fire - by Egon Weiner

Site of origin of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 

Location: 573 W Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60607

Fire started on October 8, 1871 

Since 1956, Chicago Fire Academy, a training facility for Chicago firefighters has been located here. The "site of the origin of the Great Chicago Fire" was designated a Chicago Landmark: September 15, 1971.

In 1961, a bronze sculpture of stylized flames entitled "Pillar of Fire" was erected at the point of origin of Chicago fire. Sculptor: Egon Weiner.

Pillar of Fire - by Egon Weiner

Pillar of Fire - by Egon Weiner

In 1961, a bronze sculpture of stylized flames entitled "Pillar of Fire" was erected at the point of origin of Chicago fire, by sculptor Egon Weiner

Chicago Fire Academy and the Pillar of Fire

Chicago Landmark - Site of the Origin of the Great Fire of 1871

At the base of the sculpture " Pillar of Fire" is written:
Here began the Chicago Fire of 1871 

The plaque reads ..

Chicago Landmark 

Site of the origin of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871

The great Chicago fire began October 8, 1871, in the O'Leary barn on DeKoven Street. Fanned by a strong wind, in a city largely built of wood structures, the blaze raged for nearly 30 hours. Flames spread so far as Fullerton Avenue, before finally dying out in the early morning rain, October 10. Almost everything in the path of the fire had been destroyed.

Designated a Chicago Landmark on September 15, 1971 ..

by the City Council of Chicago

Richard J. Daley, Mayor

Commission on Chicago Historical and Architectural Landmarks.

Chicago Fire Academy

One can walk into the hall of the Chicago Fire Academy and talk to the extremely friendly staff here .. take as photographs of the hall .. AND also see the site of Mrs O'Leary's Home, which is marked with a plaque ..

Chicago Fire Academy

The plaque reads ..

Mrs. O'Leary's Home

On this site stood home and barn of Mrs. O'Leary where the Chicago fire of 1871 started. Although there are many versions of the story of its origin, the real cause of the fire has never been determined.

Erected by Chicago's Charter Jubilee

Authenticated by Chicago Historical Society 1937

Chicago Fire Academy

Chicago Fire Academy