Early Chicago, 1833–1871
A Selection of Documents from the Illinois State Archives

Documents 1-50

Early Chicago Introduction

1. Proceedings of the Town's Incorporation
   (ca.) August 3, 1833
2. Petition of Firemen for an Engine House
   December 16, 1835
3. Council Actions in Relation to City Scrip
   1837
4. Suggestions from Fire Warden Concerning Stovepipes and Chimneys
   October 11, 1841
5. Communication Concerning Vocal Music in the Schools
   December 11, 1841
6. Letter from Martin Van Buren
   May 12, 1842
7. Communication from the City Council of Galena Relating to a Railroad
   May 16, 1843
8. Communication from the Mayor of Buffalo
   December 27, 1843
9. Petition for a Free License for a Museum
   November 12, 1844
10. Report Relating to a Night Watch and Watch House
    April 11, 1845
11. Petition Concerning School Teachers' Salaries
    May 2, 1845
12. Petition Relating to Geese Running at Large
    August 29, 1845
13. Resolution Concerning a Flag for the Chicago Invincibles
    May 12, 1846
14. Petition for Appointment as City Scavenger
    April 23, 1847
15. Ordinance to Prevent Filth from Entering the Water Supply
    June 9, 1848
16. Communication Regarding the Chicago Harbor
    March 30, 1849
17. Physician's Cholera Report
    June 3, 1849
18. Petition for Frederick Douglass's Use of City Hall
    July 12, 1849
19. Resolution Regarding the Fugitive Slave Act
    November 29, 1850
20. Petition for a License to Exhibit a Panorama of the Overland Route to California
    March 27, 1851
21. Communication Regarding Mr. Keith's Hog Pen
    July 25, 1851
22. Petition Relating to the Arrest of a Fugitive Slave
    March 1, 1852
23. Census Report
    August 9, 1852
24. Tax Statistics
    September 26, 1853
25. Report of the Keeper of the City Bridewell
    November 31, 1853
26. Petition for the Appointment of a German Constable
    August 21, 1854
27. Petition of E. Mieling for Relief Due to Damages Incurred by His Wife
    August 28, 1854
28. Report of Police Committee Regarding Compensating Allan Pinkerton
    September 28, 1854
29. Invitation of the Illinois Central Railroad Company
    April 26, 1855
30. Petition of A. C. Brendell for Relief
    May 9, 1855
31. Communication Concerning Issuance of Bonds
    May 25, 1855
32. Estimate for Street Construction
    September 14, 1855
33. Petition for the Free Use of the State Street Market Hall
    December 17, 1855
34. Petition for the Release of John Tower from Reform School
    August 11, 1856
35. Sketch of Ontario Street
    December 16, 1856
36. Petition for Damages Done to Frederick Berner's Store
    March 30, 1857
37. Petition of Moriss Bauland for Remission of Fine
    July 6, 1857
38. Petition for Recognition of the Accomplishment of the Madeira Pet
    July 20, 1857
39. Report and Ordinance for Opening Dearborn Street
    July 1, 1861
40. Ordinance Appropriating Funds to the Sanitary Commission
    April 10, 1862
41. Communication from the Mayor Concerning the Flow of the Chicago River
    December 30, 1862
42. Order of the Committee on Schools Providing for Segregation
    March 23, 1863
43. Proclamation Regarding Day of Thanksgiving
    August 4, 1863
44. Drawing for a State Street Bridge
    July 11, 1864
45. Resolutions Donating Land and Money if the State Capitol be Removed to Chicago
    January 28, 1865
46. Communication Concerning Confederate Dead
    December 17, 1866
47. Invitation to a Southern Commercial Convention
    August 16, 1869
48. Invitation to a Columbus Day Celebration
    October 11, 1869
49. Petition from the Scandinavian Emigrant Association
    January 12, 1870
50. Request for the Sale of Brick and Iron from Burned Public Buildings
    October 23, 1871