Chicago before the 1884 Republian National Convention
...on to modern architects of the time. Many new architecturally innovative structures would make Chicago stand out from other Midwestern cities. Above all, new factories would provide more job opportunities, new residential housing would give better shelter to Chicagoans, and the new Street Cars would help residents get about Chicago with less effort. This booming city would rise from the ashes. The 1884 Republican National Convention was to be held in this very city. Already known as the "city of conventions", by the later 1800’s, Chicago was definitely a good location of the convention. Considering Chicago’s “minor setback” in 1871, how might such a shattered city host political conventions? A good leader might help. Chicago’s mayor, Carter Henry Harrison Sr., had been reelected for his third term in 1883 and was well known and res...