Chicago's Amazing Lift: A City's Vertical Migration
2025-01-06
In the mid-19th century, swampy Chicago suffered from disease. To solve the drainage problem, engineers undertook a daring plan: raising the entire city! Thousands of jackscrews lifted buildings, even entire blocks, while life continued as usual. Wooden structures were put on rollers and moved to the suburbs. This epic feat of engineering not only transformed Chicago's landscape but also showcased the extraordinary capabilities of 19th-century engineering.