Chicagoans didn’t need to journey far to seek out journey 130 years in the past this month — the world got here to us. The occasion was so grand, we hosted it once more 40 years later.

The primary World’s Truthful right here, the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893, was a miracle contemplating simply 22 years earlier town was in shambles following the Nice Chicago Fireplace.

But the Century of Progress Worldwide Exposition of 1933-1934 could have been tougher to tug off as a result of Nice Melancholy.

Although there are hints of each occasions nonetheless current across the metropolis, Chicago’s iconic flag design without end cements their significance — two of its 4 pink stars are devoted to the gala’s (the fireplace of 1871 and Fort Dearborn signify the opposite two stars).

Earlier than we head into an extended, reflective weekend, right here’s a glance again at when Chicago grew to become the vacation spot for enjoyable, new expertise, tradition, somewhat sleaze and even a now-famous serial killer.

Turn out to be a Tribune subscriber: it’s simply $3 for a 1-year digital subscription. Comply with us on Instagram: @vintagetribune. And, catch me Monday mornings on WLS-AM’s “The Steve Cochran Present” for a take a look at this week in Chicago historical past.

Thanks for studying!

— Kori Rumore, visible reporter

Chicago historical past | Extra newsletters | Puzzles & Video games | At this time’s eNewspaper version

The Columbian Exposition Administration Constructing was a 55,000 square-foot dome that held the workplaces of honest organizers. It was the primary constructing honest goers doubtless noticed after they paid their entrance payment. (Chicago Tribune archive)

Chicago rose from the ashes of The Nice Fireplace of 1871 to host the nineteenth century’s best honest. See extra images right here.

With honest buildings because the background, officers for the Chicago World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893 pose for a gaggle portrait. The architect Daniel Burnham stands third from left. (Chicago Historical past Museum)

To many, New York was the apparent option to host the World’s Truthful, however Chicago — all the time the underdog — possessed one thing on this competitors that New York didn’t: grit and dedication. Learn extra right here.

The Agricultural Constructing of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. (Worldwide Information)

Navigate between the buildings and points of interest in what’s right this moment Jackson Park on Chicago’s South Facet. Learn extra right here.

The H.H. Holmes “homicide fort” in March 1937. The constructing at 601-603 West 63rd Avenue was offered in 1938 and was razed to make method for an Englewood submit workplace. The principle entrance is at 603 E. 63rd Avenue and housed an indication firm in 1937 the place Holmes had his drug retailer. (Chicago Tribune historic picture)

On the one hundred and thirtieth 12 months since Daniel Burnham’s sweeping transformation of Chicago’s southern lakefront into the classical alabaster-columned “White Metropolis,” the tales of Holmes’ dealings right here, together with his so-called “Homicide Citadel” within the Englewood neighborhood, stay largely sensational tabloid fabrications. Learn extra right here.

The chilly storage plant on the Columbian Exposition World’s Truthful, which held refrigerated meals for distributors, caught fireplace in July 1893, killing 16 firefighters who have been trapped by a collapsing tower. Editors notice: this historic print has some hand portray on it. (Chicago Tribune historic picture)

Firefighters ascended a tower to get nearer to the smokestack and extinguish the fireplace. As they fought the blaze, nonetheless, one other fireplace broke out 70 ft beneath them, forming what the Tribune referred to as “a pit of fireplace.” Learn extra right here.

The Sky Trip soars over the lagoon between Northerly Island and the lakefront for the Century of Progress World’s Truthful in 1933. (Chicago Tribune historic picture)

Classic Chicago Tribune

Weekly

The Classic Tribune publication is a deep dive into the Chicago Tribune’s archives that includes images and tales in regards to the individuals, locations and occasions that form town’s previous, current and future.

Technological innovation was the theme of the second World’s Truthful held in Chicago from 1933 to 1934. The title additionally mirrored town’s centennial and its spectacular development from a frontier settlement to an industrial metropolis. See extra images right here.

Mrs. Edward J. Kelly, spouse of the mayor, from left, Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, Mrs. Henry W. Hardy, president of Federated Girls’s organizations; Mrs. Rufus C. Dawes, and Mrs. Carter Harrison, as distinguished company are given a driving tour of the honest grounds on Girls’s Day on the Century of Progress World’s Truthful in 1933. (Chicago Tribune historic picture )

In 1929, a gaggle of socially distinguished ladies pledged to maintain the Chicago World’s Truthful scheduled for 1933 from being an embarrassing dud. Nobody requested them to imagine that burden. On the contrary, the lads who deliberate it snubbed them. Learn extra right here.

At Chicago’s second World’s Truthful, A Century of Progress Worldwide Exposition, the most well-liked attraction was fan dancer Sally Rand. Rand was perceived to be bare whereas dancing with ostrich feathers protecting her physique. (Chicago Tribune historic picture)

The honest’s administration reasoned that, if regally clad younger ladies have been an attraction, these with out garments can be an excellent greater draw. Learn extra right here.

Sunday crowds stroll previous the Dwelling Infants in Incubators exhibit in addition to an space that includes doughnuts and Maxwell Home Espresso on Aug. 26, 1934. The newborn exhibit was the brainchild of Dr. Martin A. Couney, a pioneer in neonatology.

Of all of the amazements out there to guests to Chicago’s Century of Progress world’s honest that befell alongside our lakefront in 1933 and 1934 — Sally Rand and her is-she-naked? fan dancing legendarily amongst them — none was extra mind-boggling and profitable than what was inside one of many buildings on the halfway with an indication, “so large you’d need to be lifeless to overlook it,” touting “Dwelling Infants in Incubators.” Learn extra right here.

The ‘Century Houses Home of Tomorrow,’ by architect George Fred Keck, was featured on the Century of Progress World’s Truthful in Chicago 1933. The house consists of a number of stacked ‘drums,’ with glass-enclosed residing quarters above and a floor ground airplane hanger beneath. (Hedrich-Blessing Assortment)

An architectural marvel of Chicago’s 1933-34 World’s Truthful could also be on its strategy to a brighter future — if, that’s, anyone is prepared to spend almost $3 million to revive it however not personal it. Learn extra right here.

Be part of our Chicagoland historical past Fb group and observe us on Instagram for extra from Chicago’s previous.

Have an thought for Classic Chicago Tribune? Share it with Ron Grossman and Marianne Mather at rgrossman@chicagotribune.com and mmather@chicagotribune.com.