Why Is Chicago Called White City?

Have you ever wondered why Chicago is known as the "White City"? The mythical moniker has an interesting history dating back to the late 19th century. Chicago's status as a thriving city of industry, architecture, and innovation isn't the only reason why the moniker was coined. It's not because it's where one of the most significant events in the city's history occurred. In this blog, we're going to travel back in time and find out why Chicago earned this moniker and how it continues to be a part of the city's identity today.

An Important Factor In The Creation Of The White City Nickname Was The Great Chicago World's Fair In 1893

For a short time, the globe's Columbian Exposition in 1893 was the major event that gave rise to the "White City" and made it the center of the globe. Celebrating the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus' landing in the Americas, the event was also known as the Chicago World's Fair. Beyond just a carnival, however, it was a groundbreaking architectural and cultural event that permanently altered Chicago. 

The fair was held at Chicago's South Side's Jackson Park. The enormous amount of preparation, work, and resources that went into creating this fair, however, is what really made it fantastic. The world had never seen a city as stunning and magnificent as the one that the fair's planners, including renowned architects Daniel Burnham and Frederick Law Olmsted, had imagined.

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At The World's Fair, The White City Was Distinguished By Its Stunning White Structures And Bright Electric Lights

The structures at the fair were among its most striking features. Staff, a special substance made by mixing cement and plaster, was used to create almost all of the buildings. This made it possible to coat the structures with a dazzling white material that made them gleam in the sunlight. As a result, the fairs were a bright, surreal setting. This pristine, glittering appearance earned the fair the moniker "White City." 

Inspired by ancient Greece and Rome, the fair's architects built these structures in a classical style. These architects intended the fair to be a mirror of the future, but they went beyond aesthetics. Amazing scientific advances were made at this time, and the fair included inventions like the Ferris wheel—which would go on to become a symbol of innovation—and electric lighting, which at night lighted the whole fairgrounds. 

Imagine a world with thousands of people strolling down great boulevards under the dazzling glare of electric lights, staring in wonder at the tall, white skyscrapers that appear to materialize out of thin air like a dream. Because of this incident, Chicago became a global emblem of modernism and development. 

The Effects Of The White City On Chicago Lasted Long After The Fair Was Over

This White City fair was not a passing one. Both immediately and over time, it had a significant effect on the city of Chicago. Although the majority of the buildings were demolished following the fair, the vision they left behind changed Chicago's city planning and design. Future city planning was modeled by the use of classical designs, cleaner streets, and updated structures. 

Chicago began to change its skyline. With an emphasis on utility and modernism, the fabled Chicago School of Architecture gained popularity. As a result of the fare, urban parks and green spaces were created, and they are still present in the city today. 

That, however, was only the beginning. Additionally, the White City represented Chicago's growing international stature. It demonstrated the city's status as a center of innovation, culture, and the arts in addition to its industrial and commercial activities. It contributed to the establishment of Chicago as one of the most significant American cities at the time.

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One Important Aspect Of The White City's Legacy And Symbolism Was Its Cleanliness

Chicago was also known as the "White City" for reasons related to neatness and cleanliness. At the time of the fair, Chicago was a rapidly expanding industrial metropolis, and a large portion of the city was filthy, congested, and polluted. Clean sidewalks and recently painted structures characterized the fairgrounds' impeccable condition. The fair's immaculate white structures demonstrated the emphasis on maintaining cleanliness in the region.

The fair's organizers and attendees thus began associating cleanliness with the term "White City." For Chicagoans eager to prove to the world that their city could be more than an industrial metropolis, the idea of a bright, clean, and orderly city appealed. Chicago's contribution to the public health and hygiene concerns that were beginning to plague American cities at the time was solidified by the fair. 

Across the city, the importance of cleanliness is still evident today. Businesses like Deep Cleaning Chicago contribute to keeping Chicago as clean as possible by keeping its public spaces, such as its parks and streets, immaculate. Whether it is a commercial or residential thorough clean, the goal of cleaning services across the city is to make Chicago sparkle, much like the White City of the fair.

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Chicago's Current Standards For Cleanliness Owe A Lasting Impact To The White City's Heritage

The World's Columbian Exposition is a long-forgotten era, but its mark can still be seen in Chicago today. It changed its name to the "White City" in honor of its changes during the late 19th century. Chicago was no longer a mere industrial city but a sign of modernity and development.

Chicago continues to enjoy both its heritage and its future. The city's skyscrapers are in constant flux, blending new and old, and providing a collection of the most famous buildings in the world with a view of them all. With companies working towards keeping the streets, workspaces, and living spaces as clean and presentable as possible, its citizens can continue to enjoy the city's beauty and cleanliness.

The White City Is A Part Of Chicago's Timeless Identity And Charm

So why is Chicago the "White City"? It all began with a groundbreaking event that opened the eyes of the city to its potential to be great. The World's Columbian Exposition of 1893 opened the world to a dazzling, shining Chicago—a city that lived for innovation, progress, and cleanliness. While the fair is over a century old, its impact on Chicago's architecture, culture, and image can still be felt today.

From its gleaming white buildings to its sleek skyscrapers, Chicago is still a city that is constantly evolving. And while it may no longer be the "White City" to everyone today, the legacy of that nickname is still very much alive in the way the city is planned, maintained, and loved. Whether it's through the work of Deep Cleaning Chicago or the upkeep of the city's beautiful parks and buildings, Chicago continues to shine—just like it did in the White City days.