Timeline of Chicago history

The city of Chicago in Illinois, United States, has a rich and interesting history. This timeline shows the important events and changes that shaped the city over time. From its early days as a small settlement to becoming one of the largest cities in the United States, Chicago has grown and changed in many ways. Learning about Chicago's history helps us understand how the city became what it is today and why it matters to so many people.

Before the 19th century

As interpreted from the 1670 translation of the de Soto narrative into French by Pierre Richelet, the Chucagua River, was believed to be the Mississippi. La Salle named Checagou, the transliterated from Spanish, as the gateway to the River of de Soto.

Site of Chicagou on the lake, in Guillaume de L'Isle's map (Paris, 1718)

1200: The Council of Three Fires, made of the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi people, lived in what would become Chicago for many years.
1673: French-Canadian explorers Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet passed through the area on their way to Québec.
1677: Father Claude Allouez arrived to share his beliefs with the local people.
1682: French explorer René Robert Cavelier, Sieur de la Salle traveled through Chicago while heading to the mouth of the Mississippi River.
1687: The first known written mention of what is now Chicago came from Robert LaSalle's notes, calling the place "Checagou", from a local word for wild plants that grew there.
1696: Jesuit missionary Francois Pinet started the Mission of the Guardian Angel, but it was left after four years.
1705: Tensions grew between French traders and the Meskwaki.
1719: The Comanche Indian Tribe moved to the Great Plains and the Midwest of the United States.
1754: The Illinois Country became part of New France, and soon after, The French and Indian War started against the British.
1763: The Illinois Country was taken by British forces after New France was defeated.
1775: The Revolutionary War began as America sought independence from Britain.
1778: The Illinois Campaign started under George Rogers Clark to fight British forces across the land.
1780s: Jean Baptiste Point du Sable created the first lasting home near the mouth of the Chicago River.
1795: Six square miles (16 km²) of land at the mouth of the Chicago River were set aside by the Treaty of Greenville for the United States.
1796: Kitihawa, du Sable's Potawatomi wife, had Eulalia Point du Sable, Chicago's first recorded baby.

19th century

1800s–1840s

In 1803, the United States Army built Fort Dearborn near the mouth of the Chicago River. In 1812, Jean La Lime was killed by John Kinzie, marking Chicago's first recorded murder. The Treaty of St. Louis was signed in 1816, and Illinois became a state in 1818.

Chicago was first surveyed in 1830, with a population of fewer than 100 people. It became a town in 1833 and a city in 1837. The first medical school in Illinois, Rush Medical College, was founded in 1837. By 1840, Chicago's population grew to 4,470.

1850s–1890s

1820 Chicago

Chicago's population reached almost 30,000 by 1850. Northwestern University, the city's first higher education institution, was founded in 1851. Mercy Hospital opened in 1852, becoming the first hospital in Illinois.

The city faced a cholera epidemic in 1854, which affected many residents. The Chicago Historical Society was founded in 1856, and the first major park, Lincoln Park, was renamed in honor of Abraham Lincoln after his death in 1865.

Chicago experienced huge growth, with its population reaching over 1 million by 1890. Important buildings like the Home Insurance Building, considered the world's first skyscraper, were constructed. The Art Institute of Chicago and the University of Chicago were also established during this time.

1821 Survey of Chicago

First built in 1835, an 1855 daguerreotype attributed to Alexander Hesler of the Cook County Court House and City Hall, later destroyed in the 1871 fire. It is believed to be the oldest surviving photograph taken in Chicago.

Merchants' Hotel on left, looking North from State and Washington Streets, before 1868

20th century

The 1900s to 1940s brought many changes to Chicago. In 1900, the Northwestern Elevated Railroad opened, which later became part of the Red, Purple, and Brown Lines. The Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal opened, and the Chicago River was completely reversed. In 1906, the Chicago White Sox defeated the Chicago Cubs in an all-Chicago World Series. The Chicago Cubs won the World Series in 1907 and 1908.

The 1950s to 1990s saw more developments. In 1950, Chess Records began operating in Chicago. The Edens Expressway, Chicago's first expressway, opened in 1951. In 1955, the first McDonald's franchise restaurant opened in the suburb of Des Plaines. In 1960, the first Playboy Club opened in Chicago. In 1973, the Sears Tower, the tallest building in the world at the time, was completed. The Chicago Marathon began in 1977. In 1990, the Chicago Bulls won their first NBA championship, and in 1991, the Harold Washington Library, the largest public library building in the world, opened. The Chicago Bulls achieved several championships in the 1990s, winning in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, and 1998.

21st century

2000s–Present

In 2000, Chicago’s population was 2,895,671. In 2001, the Chicago International Speedway opened, and Boeing moved its headquarters from Seattle to Chicago.

Many important events happened in the 2000s and 2010s. In 2005, the Chicago White Sox won the World Series. In 2008, Barack Obama gave his victory speech in Grant Park. In 2010, the Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup. In 2015, the Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup again, making it their third win in six years. In 2016, the Chicago Cubs won the World Series. In 2019, Lori Lightfoot became the first female African-American and LGBTQ mayor of Chicago. In 2020, Chicago hosted the NBA All-Star Game and faced challenges with the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, the Chicago Sky won their first WNBA championship.

In 2024, Chicago hosted the 2024 Democratic National Convention at the United Center. In 2025, over 300 people took part in the first Chicago River Swim since 1926.