The growth in area has kept pace with the growth in population. As
originally plotted in 1830, the town had an area of a little less than
half a square mile; today it covers an area of practically 200 Sq.M. Its
greatest length (north and south) is 26 M., and the greatest width (east
and west) is 9 M.

The Chicago River with its three, branches divides the city into three
sections--the North, South and West sides. Technically the downtown or
"loop" district (so-called because of the elevated railway which
encircles the central business section) belongs to the south side,
though usually it is classified separately.

The Chicago River formerly flowed into Lake Michigan. It was then
an exceedingly dirty stream and a menace to health. In order to
improve the character of the river and also to give the Chicago
adequate sanitary drainage, dredging operations to reverse the
direction of flow of the river were undertaken, and canals were
constructed connecting it with the Illinois River. This great
engineering feat was begun in 1892 and completed in 1900. The
total expenditure on the drainage canals since 1892 has been more
than $100,000,000.

In no other great city is the business district so concentrated as is
the case in Chicago. Within an area of a little more than 1 Sq. M. are
located the principal office buildings, department stores, shops, hotels
and theatres. Not far from the centre of this district is the new City
Hall and County Building, an 11-story structure costing $5,000,000.

Chicago is generally credited with being the original home of the steel
frame sky-scraper, though there are now many higher buildings in New
York and elsewhere. The height of buildings in Chicago is limited by
city ordinance to about 22 stories.

At La Salle St., where it is crossed by the southern arm of the elevated
"loop" is the New York Central Station, an impressive building which
stands closer to heart of Chicago's financial and business section than
any other railway station in the city.

Michigan Ave., just to the east of the business centre, possesses a
truly noble aspect, and the visitor could not select a better place to
begin his tour of the city. Due to the monotonous regularity of the
streets and the all-pervading soft coal smoke, Chicago presents on the
whole a somewhat drab appearance, but the view from Grant Park or from
the lake front (with Michigan Ave. in the foreground) is nearly