Chicago, Illinois

Though we have previously given some views of this flourishing and interesting city, yet as there remained several striking points for illustration, we have continued the series in the present number. The drawings were all made expressly for us on the spot, by Mr. Kilburn, and are as reliable for their accuracy as they are pleasing in pictorial effect. Our first view is of Clark Street Bridge, a very peculiar structure. This bridge swings on a pivot in the centre, and like the Lake Street Bridge, seems to be constantly in motion from the immense amount of passing on the street and the river. Indeed if our artist had introduced all the craft that at times crowd this point, he would have produced a confused mass of shipping. This bridge is a highly ornamental structure.—The second view is taken on Lake Street, one of the principal thoroughfares and business streets of the city. It presents a splendid array of fine, substantial and elegant structures. … Our last view presents one among the many grain houses of the city, belonging to the Chicago and Galena Railroad. Its architectural appearance is quite unique, but well adapted to the purpose for which it was built. In the foreground is a primitive ferry-boat which was in use at the time our artist made his sketch.—Chicago has become the greatest grain-market in the world; the receipts for 1854 being 2,946,924 bushels of wheat, 6,745,588 of Indian corn, and 4,024,216 of oats, rye and barley; total, 13,726,728 bushels. Chicago is undoubtedly destined to be the chief commercial emporium of the northwest, a distinction it will owe to its commanding position. It is difficult to believe that less than thirty years ago it was a mere trading-post amidst the wigwams of the red men. But in the history of our country, the marvels of fable are eclipsed by the marvels of reality. The wilderness literally disappears before the coming multitudes; cites spring up as if by magic; forests are obliterated as rapidly as if a whirlwind swept them from the face of the earth. The ingenuity and enterprise of man, aiding the bounties of Providence, will raise this country to a height of splendor and prosperity, the like of which the world never beheld before.