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