Murals: I - Exploration II - Fort Dearborn III - The New City IV - Float Bridge and I & M Canal V - Three Swing Bridges VI - The Great Fire VII - Three Bridges VIII - Columbian Exposition IX - Reversal of the Waters X - Michigan Avenue Bridge XI - Grant Park and the Burnham Plan XII - A Century of Progress XIII - The South Branch XIV - The North Branch XV - The Main Branch XVI - The Riverwalk Artwork copyright 2000 Ellen Lanyon All rights reserved Acknowledgements by Ellen Lanyon Essay by Michael Rooks

VI - The Great Fire 1871: The Chicago Fire began on the southwest side of the city. Due to high winds, it swept through the entire area and to the north side. A miraculous number of citizens survived due to the bridges which allowed them to flee to safety. Many bridges were destroyed in the fire and were replaced by larger and stronger swing bridges. The Water Tower, one of the only structures to survive the Chicago Fire, has become a symbol of the "I Will" spirit that was needed to recover and to rebuild an even greater city. Inset, top left, The new water works was designed by Ellis Chesbrough in 1869. The intake crib off shore in Lake Michigan supplied water via pipes to the Pumping Station and the Water Tower on Michigan Avenue.