The Devil in the White City Summary

What kind of man indulges himself with a barrel of wine that has sailed the world twice, or builds a hotel designed to trap and kill? The same kind of man who shapes a city or preys upon its visitors—and only in Chicago could these two extremes meet in the gilded age.

1. Chicago’s Dangerous Landscape of the 1890s

Chicago in the late 19th century was a blend of industrial success and shocking societal dangers. The city’s railway crossings claimed lives daily, as trains crushed unsuspecting pedestrians. In addition, rampant fires engulfing the wooden homes left dozens dead on a regular basis. Sewage-contaminated water spread infectious diseases like typhus and cholera, while trash and animal carcasses lined the streets, creating a constant health hazard.

The city’s fast-paced industrial boom attracted workers from across the nation, but law enforcement lagged behind Chicago’s startling murder rates. Despite this, Chicago experienced significant societal shifts, with an increasing number of women moving independently to the city. These women took on jobs like stenographers and typists, which allowed them newfound financial autonomy and mobility.

Real estate flourished as skyscrapers began to shape Chicago’s skyline, painting a picture of progress amid chaos. The meatpacking district also thrived, becoming the largest in the United States. However, this prosperity couldn’t mask the city’s escalating violence, substandard living conditions, and blatant disregard for safety and public health.

Examples

• Two train-related fatalities occurred daily, some so gruesome that scavengers collected body parts.
• Chicago’s large meatpacking district highlighted industrial progress yet underscored hazardous working conditions.
• Uncollected dead animal carcasses froze, thawed, and rotted with seasonal changes, worsening urban hygiene.

2. National Pride Sparked the Columbian Exposition

The United States, eager for cultural recognition on par with Europe, wanted its own shining global moment. France’s Exposition Universelle of 1889, boasting the Eiffel Tower, embarrassed American officials, who found their display at the event mediocre. Determined, they conceptualized the World’s Columbian Exposition to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Columbus discovering America.

Three cities—New York, Washington, and Chicago—vied to host the fair. Surprisingly, Chicago won, not because of its size or sophistication, but thanks to its relentless self-promotion and resident pride. This earned it the nickname “The Windy City,” not for weather, but for its citizens’ windy boasts.

Winning the bid set an ambitious task for Chicago: build an entire fairground in the style of a city from the ground up. Officials knew this wouldn't be simple, given limited finances and the city’s reputation for violence and corruption. Still, Chicagoans celebrated, while fair planners weighed the immense challenges ahead.

Examples

• France’s Eiffel Tower stunned the world in 1889, creating competition for the United States to innovate.
• New Yorkers mocked Chicago’s bid, but Congressional votes gave Chicago the privilege.
• Chicago’s moniker “The Windy City” stemmed from boastful lobbying rather than breezy weather.

3. Daniel Burnham’s Vision and Challenges

Daniel Burnham, a respected architect, was appointed to manage the fair’s construction. Armed with charm and leadership skills, he had an extraordinary job ahead of him. Plagued by a sagging economy, limited budgets, and a growing pool of unemployed men migrating to Chicago, Burnham faced consistent pressure to succeed.

Furthermore, the construction process was perilous. Budget constraints forced layoffs, and workers who did remain dealt with unsafe conditions that claimed lives. Critics condemned the fair’s construction as exposing the harsh realities of industrialization and stark class disparity in the United States.

Despite these obstacles, Burnham delivered on his promise, opening the fair on time in 1893. Known as “The White City,” the beautifully painted neoclassical buildings impressed visitors and established Chicago as a center of architectural brilliance.

Examples

• Burnham managed workers’ frustrations over low wages and frequent layoffs.
• Several construction accidents led to worker deaths during development.
• Fair buildings reflected neoclassical elegance, earning the nickname “The White City.”

4. A Cultural and Technological Wonderland

The World’s Columbian Exposition was a spectacular celebration that epitomized invention and luxury. Visitors marveled at its grandeur, some even crying at the sight of its brilliant white facades and intricate design. Covering nearly one square mile, the fair featured over 200 buildings and one pavilion so large it could fit replicas of iconic global structures.

Revolutionary products debuted, including Pabst Blue Ribbon beer, shredded wheat cereal, Juicy Fruit gum, and the first zipper. The Ferris Wheel, unveiled by George Washington Gale Ferris Jr., was the fair’s centerpiece and an engineering marvel to rival France’s Eiffel Tower.

The exposition hosted luminaries like Nikola Tesla, Thomas Edison, and author Theodore Dreiser, showcasing American innovation. The fair even introduced the Pledge of Allegiance, marking its dedication day as a defining moment for national unity.

Examples

• The first Ferris Wheel towered over Chicago as a feat of engineering.
• Guests sampled new products like Juicy Fruit gum and caramel popcorn.
• Historical replicas included the Great Pyramid and the US Capitol.

5. Henry Howard Holmes and Crime’s Dark Shadow

Amid the grandeur, Chicago's underlying menace thrived. Henry Howard Holmes, later known as America’s first serial killer, took advantage of the influx of visitors. Presenting himself as a charming physician, Holmes preyed on visitors staying at his deceptively inviting hotel.

Unbeknownst to them, Holmes designed the building as a maze of horror. Secret gas pipes allowed Holmes to suffocate victims, while rooms doubled as soundproof vaults. Some victims were dissected post-mortem, with their skeletons sold to universities for profit.

Though eventually caught, Holmes had committed horrendous atrocities, killing an estimated 20 to 200 people. His sinister acts during a moment of innovation and celebration cast a sobering shadow over Chicago’s accomplishment.

Examples

• Holmes installed hidden gas pipes to asphyxiate hotel guests.
• Visitors disappeared into his “Murder Castle,” few to return alive.
• Police discovered vats of acid and kilns for destroying evidence.

6. Chicago’s Duality of Progress and Peril

Chicago illustrated a paradox during this time—an industrial giant grappling with civic disorder. While it drew global attention with architectural feats and cultural influence, the city remained embroiled in violence, disease, and corruption.

The fair’s temporary beauty symbolized ambition but also glossed over Chicago’s darker truths. Problems like poverty and unsafe living conditions continued to plague its residents even after the exposition.

Ultimately, Chicago's hosting of the exposition cemented its place on the global stage, yet it highlighted both its ambitions and its glaring deficiencies as a city.

Examples

• Skyscrapers symbolized modern growth but masked infrastructural issues.
• The city’s murder rates rose, undeterred by the fair’s cultural emphasis.
• Disease outbreaks persisted, fueled by poor sanitation and overcrowding.

Takeaways

1. Address underlying civic issues when pursuing ambitious projects, ensuring safety and equity for residents.
2. Celebrate cultural and technological achievements but remain vigilant against exploitation or crime in urban centers.
3. Embrace innovation with responsibility—balance grandeur with genuine urban reforms to benefit all.