Today we toured Gilded Age Pittsburgh. Do some research on your favorite city during this time period. What was the city like? What were the major challenges and innovations? What is the status of your favorite city today?
Personally, my favorite city is New York City! With places like Broadway and Times Square, New York has certainly established itself as an influential and important city. But did you know that it was only 176 years ago New York surpassed Philadelphia as the U.S.’s largest city. Back in the Gilded Age, NYC received a torrent of immigrants which cause social mayhem. “Old world criminal societies” expolited corrupt municipal machine politics of Tammany Hall; whereas American barons further expolited immigrants, who had to live in horrible conditions. Imagine, coming to America with dreams of a better life for you and your family, and finding only crowded living conditions and low wages. But even though New York was corrupt it was an asset to America. Almost 61% of all U.S. exports left through New York harbor in 1874. And in 1884, 70% of U.S. imports entered through New York. Today, New York is “the most populous city in the United States.” And in 2010, 48.7 million people came and visited NYC. And by the end of 2008, New York controlled 40% of the world's finances and is therefore the largest financial center in the world. NYC shed the dirt and grim of the Gilded Age and has grown into a powerful and significant city.
Honestly, I have two favorite cities, Chicago and Charleston, S.C. However, I am only going to write about Charleston because I have actually been there, unlike Chicago, which I have only seen through pictures. Charleston was founded in 1670, when it was known as Charles Towne, but changed it's name to Charleston in 1783. During the Gilded Age, Charleston had a major earthquake which destroyed most of the city. The earthquake was ranked as a 7.5 on the Richter scale and it caused over $6 million dollars worth of damage at the time. After the Civil War, South Carolina, along with many other southern states, had a lot of damage economically. Charleston was a major slave city in South Carolina. Therefore, there were many free slaves looking for jobs along with a lot of poor white people. There were too many people to give jobs to, so a lot of people were poor. The economy in Charleston was farming, although it was one of the more advanced cities in the South. Today, there are still many traces of history left in Charleston. There still old buildings and cobblestone streets through out the city. The economy is not huge on agriculture anymore, but it shows traces of farming. One of the main economic focus's of the city is tourism. There are small markets in the city and horse and buggy rides for tourists to show the history of the city. When I visit Charleston I feel as if I travel back in time to the 1800s and early 1900s. There are still signs of the Gilded Age in Charleston, but the economy has now recovered and the city is both historic and new.
My personal favorite city, would have to be Chicago, IL. I enjoy going there and think it is the coolest city in the United States. Louis Jolliet and Jesuit Jacques Marquette were the first to find the Chicago in 1673, along with the help of Indians. Even though the settlement was founded in 1781 by Jean Baptiste Point du Sable. As we know the Gilded Age was a time where Americans faced enormous social and economical upheaval. During the Gilded age, Chicago had a terrible fire destroying around 40 percent of the city, but fortunately this gave a large opportunity to rebuild. Which helped Chicago become the center of architectural innovation, and gave rise to Frank Lloyd Wright. Chicago is where architects devised the first skyscrapers, which were made of steel frames based upon cement caissons sunk to bedrock far below the surface. Chicago also became the home of major manufacturing companies, which helped support the West's agricultural trade. Coal mining was another major industry in Chicago during the Gilded age, Mining Companies shipped coal out of urban areas by railroad systems. Chicago is still facing hard times as they did during the Gilded age, but they are economically recovering very well.
CRISSANDRA GEORGE SAYS: I would have to say my favorite city is New Orleans, Louisana. They have great food, culture and a whole lot of courage! The city also is a very important part of trade and tourism. New Orlenas has had many settlers come and claim the land then have it taken away. From the many Native American tribes, to the French ,then to the Spanish Conquestadors and finally to us. New Orelans has tons of visible landmarks that mean to so much to our land and that shaped our country forever. The Cabildo, on Jackson Square, where the Louisiana Purchase was signed in 1803; the Pontalba buildings, the oldest apartment houses in the U.S.; Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop, where the notorious 19th century buccaneer, Jean Lafitte, hung out and carried on his illicit (and illegal) activities; and many more historic sites. Also New Orelans is a very diverse place, with many cultures surviving in this area still today, everyone adds to the huge melting pot to create our very own culture. Before and even now New Orleans is just one city ,but seperated into 17 wards or different counties. They all have one central goverment and come together when voting occures ,but besides that they are completely serperate. New Orleans in the 1870's was a huge trade port and was home to many innovations. Submarines were invented and mass produced in this city. They were first known as torpedo boats and this city was huge city known for Jazz and Blues. Natural gas was invented to New Orleans to help the railroad tracks. New Orleans used to be the capital of Louisana ,but that got changed to Baton Rouge in 1849. In 1840, the city's population was around 102,000 and was now the fourth largest in the U.S, the largest city away from the Atlantic seaboard, as well as the largest in the South. Since Lousiana is in the "Deep South" slavery and racism were huge in the city which became a huge challenge. Rights and movements occured, but racism is a problem they are still facing today. Even though it isn't in the biggest form as it was before it still lies within New Orleans. Racism made New Orleans stronger because it showed as a whole we could survive anything. Today, New Orleans is a state that can survive anything that hits them, like the 2005 Hurricane Katrina. It brought devastation to everyone in the state but showed courage, bravery and persistance. New Orleans despite the diaster is still a booming city with the life of the party and festivials galore! New Orleans though isn't mentioned much today it definitly a city with the additude to push through any obstacles. -crissandra George
You have chosen cities that would have sparkled during the Gilded Age! These cities, New Orleans, Charleston, Chicago, and New York, remain influential cities to this day. Nice choices:) I would love to hear some other examples.
My favorite city is Charlotte North Carolina, with its mild summers and beautiful scenery. The First settlers came to Charlotte in 1753. Charlotte was a slow growing village until 1850 – 1860 when population boomed from a measly 1,065 to 2,265. The reason for Charlotte’s rapid growth was railroads. In 1852 the Charlotte and Columbia railroad was completed this gave Charlotte a pathway to the seas and its cotton sales boomed. 1875 Charlotte grew as a cotton trading town. Charlotte’s second boom came in 1897 through 1914. Through this boom came: real estate companies, food companies, metal companies, and of course more cotton companies. And in 1908 the Union National Bank opened, because of this, many capitalist invested their money into the new industries, mainly real estate. Charlotte today is a bustling city, with so many things to do; it is a huge tourist attraction. From its museums to its resorts Charlotte wouldn’t be what it is today without its cotton growing past.
I chose to learn more about Sandusky, Ohio during the Gilded Age because I absolutely love the city, and I thought it would be fun to learn more about it because my family and I go on a trip to Cedar Point there every summer. Sandusky started out as a British trading and military base around 1744. The name, “Sandusky” is supposedly accepted as an Anglicization of the phrase “San Too Chee,” which meant, “cold water.” By 1816, it was called Portland, but a few years later, the town was officially named Sandusky. During times of slavery, Sandusky was a major stop for slaves on the Underground Railroad. From the novel of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, slaves looking for freedom in Canada traveled to Sandusky and boarded ships crossing Lake Erie to Amherstburg, Ontario where they reached freedom lands. Sandusky used to be quite innovative with its Mad River and Lake Erie Railroad company in 1835. Now, Battery Park Marina is where the MR & LE Railroad used to be. The tracks from downtown were removed; however, coal docks positioned west still use a bit of the original railroad lines. An important innovation of Sandusky would have to be that the city was a huge center of paper-making. In the early 1900s, Hinde and Dauch Paper Company was the largest employer in town. A large part of the tourism industry in Sandusky started right in 1870. A local businessman named Louis Zistel opened a beer garden, bathhouse, and dance floor in the summer of 1870 on the peninsula of Cedar Point. Guests were brought over on a steamboat he called, “Young Reindeer,” for 25 cents (considerably a cheap price at that time). It became a relaxing tour attraction that was “all the rage.” In 1892, the first thrill ride, the Switchback Railway, was only 25 feet high and it went only 10 mph. A guest of the 1870s compared to a guest today at Cedar Point would recognize only two similarities: the gorgeous beach of the peninsula and Lake Erie, and the smiles of the guests. The smiles guests have shared started during the first ferry ride that crossed the bay years ago and will forever be shined by future guests. Around over three million people visit Cedar Point each year. Today, Sandusky, Ohio has been known for its booming city life, beautiful nature, business, and tourism. Honestly, I did not know how much Sandusky has impacted our United States history, and I will definitely remember it on my trip there in the summer of 2012!
It is a very hard decision to pick my favorite city. However, the most unique city I have visited would have to be Los Angeles, California. Most people call Los Angeles LA. In the early 1870’s, whites outnumbered the Hispanics for the first time. In 1873, the first trolley line within the city opened. Then in 1885, The Santa Fe railroad opened. This railroad connected Los Angeles with the rest of the nation. Hollywood was founded in 1886 by Harvey Henderson. Also, in 1886, the price of train tickets to Los Angeles decreased resulting in a population boom. Therefore, in 1890, the population of the city reached 50,000 citizens. Within ten more years, the population grew rapidly to 102,479 people. Los Angeles then became the 36th most populated city in America. Now, Japanese started arriving into the United States. This boost of immigrants then changed Los Angeles’s ranking to the 17th most populated city. In 1913, Cecil B. de Mille shot the first Hollywood movie, “Squaw Man.” By the 1920’s, 80% percent of the world’s movies were shot in California. Now we are in the 21st century, and in 2006 Los Angeles became the most populated county. In 2006, the city population had reached 3,976,071 people. Throughout the Gilded Age, Los Angeles has grown to become the city that it is today. Currently, Los Angeles continues to develop and is full of exciting things to do. You can visit Hollywood, the Kodak Theater, and much more popular places and stores. I personally liked LA because of all the interesting things to do and the amazing places that you can see.
My favorite city is Tampa, Florida. I've been there many times and love its location and fun atmosphere. I was surprised to find that it went through many struggles when it was just starting out. These struggles went right along with our current studies! Tampa was founded as Fort Brooke in 1823. The Tampa area was once home to many different Native American groups. When European settlers arrived in Florida, they had many conflicts with the Seminole Tribe. The majority of Tampa's other Native American group, the Tocobaga, were already desist. Tampa faced many challenges during its first 50 years of existence. There were hardly any transportation links available in central Florida. Thankfully, the innovation of railroads solved this problem. Railroads brought people to Tampa from all over the country. One of the biggest events Tampa suffered through was the civil war in 1861. The war didn't completely destroy Tampa, yet it caused a population decline and extensive damage. Another problem that Tampa faced in its beginning was disease. Tampa is rich with swamplands. These swamplands are the ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes. Throughout the 1860's and early 1870's, yellow fever was an epidemic in Tampa. Disease and war put Tampa into a downward spiral. Things finally started to look up in the city when phosphate was discovered. The mining of phosphate brought new industry and interest in Tampa. By 1900, Tampa had become one of the largest cities in Florida. It maintains that status today! Presently, Tampa's economy is thriving. In fact, it's called 'the economic hub of west central Florida.' According to The City of Tampa, "It's economy is founded on a diverse base that includes tourism, agriculture, construction, finance, health care, technology, and maritime industry." Tampa is a great place to visit with tons of history to explore.
My favorite city and vacation spot is Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Being a somewhat secluded island off the southern tip of South Carolina, Hilton Head was not an extremely major town of industry during the Gilded Age unlike the cities of Chicago, Illinois and New York, New York. However, Hilton Head did flourish after the end of the Civil War in 1865. In the 1870s, Plantation owners that had left Hilton Head because of the war reclaimed their plantations and paid back the taxes charges to their properties. The United Sates government also held some of Hilton Head’s land, and this land was sold to speculators or freedmen (men who had been freed from slavery) who lived on the island. One of the iconic symbols of Hilton Head, the Hilton Head Lighthouse, was built in 1870. Because Hilton Head was surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and many lakes and rivers, the seafood industry became very popular. The Hudson family and the Toomer family began to operate oyster factories in Hilton Head in 1980. Their restaurants, “Hudson’s” and “Bluffton Oyster Company” are still extremely popular in Hilton Head today. A setback in Hilton Head’s development came in 1893 when an enormous hurricane hit Beaufort County, killing at least 2,000 people on the island. Twelve-foot waves crashed into and flooded many parts of the island. Many of Hilton Head’s structures were destroyed in the devastating storm. The city of Hilton Head refused to let this natural disaster define them. Less than ten years later, in 1901, a fifteen-inch steam cannon was installed and tested on the beach at Coggins Point, which is today called Port Royal Plantation. A steam cannon launches projectiles using only just heat and water. The steam canon at Coggins Point was one of only thirteen canons used to protect the United States Coast. In 1914, World War One had begun, and by 1917 United States troops were stationed in Hilton Head as lookouts for possible submarine attacks. After World War One ended in 1919, natives of Hilton Head decided to travel to the mainland in order to make money. Gullah native islanders sailed bateaux, small, flat-bottomed boats used on rivers, to Savannah, Georgia to sell their crops and livestock. Major crops in Hilton Head during this time included cotton, sugar cane, rice and indigo. Boll weevil, a beetle that feeds on cotton and flowers, unfortunately destroyed almost all of the cotton on Hilton Head Island in 1920. In modern world of today, Hilton Head Island is a largely populated by tourists attracted to the city’s island feel and different beaches. The beaches on the island have tightly packed sand, so people on the island can ride bikes and even drive just inches from the Atlantic Ocean. Hilton Head may be a popular attraction, but one could never tell by just looking at the city. The atmosphere is very relaxed, and it offers escape from the surrounding world, with no building being taller than five stories. Overall, Hilton Head is an extremely versatile city, playing parts in both the Civil War and World War One, housing many opportunities for industry, yet still keeping a very relaxed and controlled status. The Gilded Age provided many opportunities for Hilton Head Island, and the city as a whole has continued to branch off these opportunities and others today.
In our country, we have a numerous amount of cities that stand out for the things that set them apart from all the rest. My overall favorite city has to be New York City though, because it has so many things to see and do, making you fall in love with it. The Gilded Age was a good time for commercial and manufacturing areas of business there. About half the population in New York City was considered somewhat wealthy (having a good amount of money in their pocket) at that time. During the Gilded Age, many of the rich New Yorkers spend their time at operas and theatres. Many high end parties were held for people high in society and the wealthy wore a handful of diamonds when out. Wealthy people during the time included Henry Cook, who owned all the land from Fifth Avenue to Madison, and Andrew Carneige, a man who owned the Carneige Steel Company and made about $225 million from the company. Sadly, a good amount of people had basically no money and wore cheaply made clothes. Times were especially hard for those in that category. Amazingly, New York City rose above its two rival cities (Boston and Philadelphia) for prospering in various ways. A few challenges arose during the time however. The International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union went on strike in New York against sweatshops because they were not payed enough for how long they worked. Working conditions in factories everywhere were very dangerous, and many people died when working in them. Some political issues occurred as well with the machine called the Tammany Hall. William Marcy wanted more Democratic power and built a new city hall with it. Doing this, people discovered he made 3 million dollars selfishly for himself alone with the machine. Immigrants had hard times as well. Getting somewhat safe jobs with high wages was nearly impossible for immigrants. A handful of new innovations came about during this time involved with New York. The first Labor Day was celebrated in New York City. This would occur in the year 1882. It was an innovation to help America think of selfless others risking their lives for us. The Erie Canal was also made and connected New York City to the Great Lakes. This was really great for New York City by getting them more trades and money. Today though, New York City is the largest city in America. Around 790,000 companies work there and do well. Success occurs a lot there, whether being entertainment wise, culinary wise, etc. New York City is such a special city and makes a statement, thus giving America a more powerful and prominent reputation.
Personally my favorite city in the United States is Los Angeles, California. During the Gilded Age, Los Angeles was nowhere near the size it is today. The population was only 11,000 but in 1880 the University of Southern California was founded. During the 1880’s, immigrants stormed and by 1887 the population was 80,000. Because of the climate in southern California, the city had trouble supplying people with water. To solve this problem, Los Angeles built an aqueduct in 1908-1913 to bring water to the city. An aqueduct is a man-made channel for moving water, usually in the form of a bridge supported by tall columns across a valley. Los Angeles also had some disasters. In 1910 the LA Times building caught fire and exploded. The exact number of deaths and cost of the damage is unknown but it is estimated that anywhere from 25-100 died and costs were up to $500,000. The explosion happened at about 1 o’clock on the second floor of an additional building. The first film ever was made in Los Angeles and was called The Horse in Motion. Today, Los Angeles is the second largest city in the US (3.8 million people) and is the media capital of the world. The early struggles of Los Angeles have most defiantly helped it to become the city it is today.
My favorite city would be Miami, Florida. I have been to Miami multiple times for vacation and to visit family. Miami is known for it's laid back lifestyle and warm climate. At the beginning of the Gilded Age, Miami was not even a city. There were few people that lived there, and it had no name. 20 years later in 1890, two major storms hit the Florida area. Many of the residents of Florida worked as citrus growers. These two storms killed all their crops. A woman by the name of Julia Tuttle lived in the what is now Miami area. Her citrus crops were unaffected by the two winter storms that hit. Julia Tuttle had asked railroad builder, Henry Flagler to build his railroad all the way down to her area, but he initially declined. Once the second storm had hit, and Tuttle's plantation was unaffected, Julia asked Flagler once more to extend his railroad. She asked him to visit Miami and see what he thought. He liked Miami very much and he finally agreed to extend his railroad. Tuttle and Flagler made an agreement that Flagler would extend his railroad and build a hotel in the area in exchange for a chunk of Tuttle's land. This agreement was approved on October 24th, 1895. Men flocked to the Miami area looking for a part in building the railroad. On April 7th, 1896 the railroad tracks finally reached Miami. On July 28th, 1896 a meeting was formed to discuss the making of Miami as a city. The idea was approved that night. 502 voters had agreed to make Miami a city including 100 registered black voters. The blacks were a main part in building the actual city itself. Many people wanted to name the city Flagler after Henry Flagler but it was eventually decided that Miami would be the name, after the Miami River.
You "city blogggers" may want to check edline for your blog scores. Points were lost for lack of details (many of you talk of events but give no date for example), and typos are also showing up with regularity. Again, I encourage typing in word, then cut and pasting...and of course proofread!
My personal favorite city, would have to be Chicago, IL. I enjoy going there and think it is the coolest city in the United States. Louis Jolliet and Jesuit Jacques Marquette were the first to find the Chicago in 1673, along with the help of Indians. Even though the settlement was founded in 1781 by Jean Baptiste Point du Sable. As we know the Gilded Age was a time where Americans faced enormous social and economical upheaval. During the Gilded age, Chicago had a terrible fire destroying around 40 percent of the city, but fortunately this gave a large opportunity to rebuild. Which helped Chicago become the center of architectural innovation, and gave rise to Frank Lloyd Wright. Chicago is where architects devised the first skyscrapers, which were made of steel frames based upon cement caissons sunk to bedrock far below the surface. Chicago also became the home of major manufacturing companies, which helped support the West's agricultural trade. Coal mining was another major industry in Chicago during the Gilded age, Mining Companies shipped coal out of urban areas by railroad systems. The Knights of Labor first emerged in Chicago in 1877, when the city's craftsmen and unions had largely disappeared during unskilled workers' violent clashes with soldiers and police. The great strike of 1877, convinced many employers, that wage cuts had reached their rock bottom. Chicago's economy today consists of manufacturing, printing and publishing, finance and insurance, and food processing. Chicago is still working hard to change their economy today, like building the long anticipated Millennium Park in the summer of 2004. Chicago is still one of the largest cities in the United States and is changing economically every day. Chicago is still facing hard times as they did during the Gilded age, but they are economically recovering very well.
We have not touched on F.L. Wright, but his architecture is certainly worth mentioning! I like that Ian also tied the famous Knight of Labor to Chicago. Many of you may not realize that the Pullman RR strike took place in Pullman's Company Town just outside Chicago.
My favorite city I have chosen is Jacksonville, Florida. I grew up in Jacksonville and had spent my childhood learning the southern "style" there. When researching Jacksonville, Florida during the Gilded Age, I had come to discover that Jacksonville had elected a Jewish mayor right before WWI. Jacksonville was home to many Jewish merchants who had their sights set on the future of this country. This city was a major Jewish milestone in the young America. Fewer than 1,000 Jews lived in Florida during the early Gilded Age, but there was no cemetery on record for Jewish people until in 1857 (yes, before the Gilded Age) residents in Jacksonville decided ‘Hey, I’m Jewish and I would like a cemetery for my corpse just like everybody else.’ Jacksonville, being a southern city, was not too big on the Yankees who prayed on it. Harrison Reed was a spokesman for businessmen in Jacksonville at the time. Jacksonville was mostly a follower of the self proclaimed “Unionist Party” that was created by ex-Whigs and businessmen who were Democrats. The mere word Republican could make you cringe down in Jacksonville. The city today, however, is a clear mix of all cultures. I personally never saw the heart of the city too much, due to the fact that I was a privileged white girl who had a lawyer for a father. We mostly had spent our time at the beaches and in the “better” parts of Jacksonville. Jacksonville is a place for the rich, the poor, the middle class, and all races. I do not recall seeing much discrimination that I can pick out in my mind. In a city environment like Jacksonville, and the southern culture being mixed in as well, people are more accepted; like the Jews were in the early Gilded Ages. The rich culture of this flourishing southern city brings/brought people together, even in the Gilded Ages.
Personally, my favorite city is New York City! With places like Broadway and Times Square, New York has certainly established itself as an influential and important city. But did you know that it was only 176 years ago New York surpassed Philadelphia as the U.S.’s largest city. Back in the Gilded Age, NYC received a torrent of immigrants which cause social mayhem. “Old world criminal societies” expolited corrupt municipal machine politics of Tammany Hall; whereas American barons further expolited immigrants, who had to live in horrible conditions. Imagine, coming to America with dreams of a better life for you and your family, and finding only crowded living conditions and low wages. But even though New York was corrupt it was an asset to America. Almost 61% of all U.S. exports left through New York harbor in 1874. And in 1884, 70% of U.S. imports entered through New York. Today, New York is “the most populous city in the United States.” And in 2010, 48.7 million people came and visited NYC. And by the end of 2008, New York controlled 40% of the world's finances and is therefore the largest financial center in the world. NYC shed the dirt and grim of the Gilded Age and has grown into a powerful and significant city.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I have two favorite cities, Chicago and Charleston, S.C. However, I am only going to write about Charleston because I have actually been there, unlike Chicago, which I have only seen through pictures. Charleston was founded in 1670, when it was known as Charles Towne, but changed it's name to Charleston in 1783. During the Gilded Age, Charleston had a major earthquake which destroyed most of the city. The earthquake was ranked as a 7.5 on the Richter scale and it caused over $6 million dollars worth of damage at the time. After the Civil War, South Carolina, along with many other southern states, had a lot of damage economically. Charleston was a major slave city in South Carolina. Therefore, there were many free slaves looking for jobs along with a lot of poor white people. There were too many people to give jobs to, so a lot of people were poor. The economy in Charleston was farming, although it was one of the more advanced cities in the South. Today, there are still many traces of history left in Charleston. There still old buildings and cobblestone streets through out the city. The economy is not huge on agriculture anymore, but it shows traces of farming. One of the main economic focus's of the city is tourism. There are small markets in the city and horse and buggy rides for tourists to show the history of the city. When I visit Charleston I feel as if I travel back in time to the 1800s and early 1900s. There are still signs of the Gilded Age in Charleston, but the economy has now recovered and the city is both historic and new.
ReplyDeleteMy personal favorite city, would have to be Chicago, IL. I enjoy going there and think it is the coolest city in the United States. Louis Jolliet and Jesuit Jacques Marquette were the first to find the Chicago in 1673, along with the help of Indians. Even though the settlement was founded in 1781 by Jean Baptiste Point du Sable. As we know the Gilded Age was a time where Americans faced enormous social and economical upheaval. During the Gilded age, Chicago had a terrible fire destroying around 40 percent of the city, but fortunately this gave a large opportunity to rebuild. Which helped Chicago become the center of architectural innovation, and gave rise to Frank Lloyd Wright. Chicago is where architects devised the first skyscrapers, which were made of steel frames based upon cement caissons sunk to bedrock far below the surface. Chicago also became the home of major manufacturing companies, which helped support the West's agricultural trade. Coal mining was another major industry in Chicago during the Gilded age, Mining Companies shipped coal out of urban areas by railroad systems. Chicago is still facing hard times as they did during the Gilded age, but they are economically recovering very well.
ReplyDeleteCRISSANDRA GEORGE SAYS: I would have to say my favorite city is New Orleans, Louisana. They have great food, culture and a whole lot of courage! The city also is a very important part of trade and tourism. New Orlenas has had many settlers come and claim the land then have it taken away. From the many Native American tribes, to the French ,then to the Spanish Conquestadors and finally to us. New Orelans has tons of visible landmarks that mean to so much to our land and that shaped our country forever. The Cabildo, on Jackson Square, where the Louisiana Purchase was signed in 1803; the Pontalba buildings, the oldest apartment houses in the U.S.; Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop, where the notorious 19th century buccaneer, Jean Lafitte, hung out and carried on his illicit (and illegal) activities; and many more historic sites. Also New Orelans is a very diverse place, with many cultures surviving in this area still today, everyone adds to the huge melting pot to create our very own culture. Before and even now New Orleans is just one city ,but seperated into 17 wards or different counties. They all have one central goverment and come together when voting occures ,but besides that they are completely serperate. New Orleans in the 1870's was a huge trade port and was home to many innovations. Submarines were invented and mass produced in this city. They were first known as torpedo boats and this city was huge city known for Jazz and Blues. Natural gas was invented to New Orleans to help the railroad tracks. New Orleans used to be the capital of Louisana ,but that got changed to Baton Rouge in 1849. In 1840, the city's population was around 102,000 and was now the fourth largest in the U.S, the largest city away from the Atlantic seaboard, as well as the largest in the South. Since Lousiana is in the "Deep South" slavery and racism were huge in the city which became a huge challenge. Rights and movements occured, but racism is a problem they are still facing today. Even though it isn't in the biggest form as it was before it still lies within New Orleans. Racism made New Orleans stronger because it showed as a whole we could survive anything. Today, New Orleans is a state that can survive anything that hits them, like the 2005 Hurricane Katrina. It brought devastation to everyone in the state but showed courage, bravery and persistance. New Orleans despite the diaster is still a booming city with the life of the party and festivials galore! New Orleans though isn't mentioned much today it definitly a city with the additude to push through any obstacles.
ReplyDelete-crissandra George
You have chosen cities that would have sparkled during the Gilded Age! These cities, New Orleans, Charleston, Chicago, and New York, remain influential cities to this day. Nice choices:) I would love to hear some other examples.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite city is Charlotte North Carolina, with its mild summers and beautiful scenery. The First settlers came to Charlotte in 1753. Charlotte was a slow growing village until 1850 – 1860 when population boomed from a measly 1,065 to 2,265. The reason for Charlotte’s rapid growth was railroads. In 1852 the Charlotte and Columbia railroad was completed this gave Charlotte a pathway to the seas and its cotton sales boomed. 1875 Charlotte grew as a cotton trading town. Charlotte’s second boom came in 1897 through 1914. Through this boom came: real estate companies, food companies, metal companies, and of course more cotton companies. And in 1908 the Union National Bank opened, because of this, many capitalist invested their money into the new industries, mainly real estate. Charlotte today is a bustling city, with so many things to do; it is a huge tourist attraction. From its museums to its resorts Charlotte wouldn’t be what it is today without its cotton growing past.
ReplyDeleteI chose to learn more about Sandusky, Ohio during the Gilded Age because I absolutely love the city, and I thought it would be fun to learn more about it because my family and I go on a trip to Cedar Point there every summer. Sandusky started out as a British trading and military base around 1744. The name, “Sandusky” is supposedly accepted as an Anglicization of the phrase “San Too Chee,” which meant, “cold water.” By 1816, it was called Portland, but a few years later, the town was officially named Sandusky. During times of slavery, Sandusky was a major stop for slaves on the Underground Railroad. From the novel of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, slaves looking for freedom in Canada traveled to Sandusky and boarded ships crossing Lake Erie to Amherstburg, Ontario where they reached freedom lands. Sandusky used to be quite innovative with its Mad River and Lake Erie Railroad company in 1835. Now, Battery Park Marina is where the MR & LE Railroad used to be. The tracks from downtown were removed; however, coal docks positioned west still use a bit of the original railroad lines. An important innovation of Sandusky would have to be that the city was a huge center of paper-making. In the early 1900s, Hinde and Dauch Paper Company was the largest employer in town. A large part of the tourism industry in Sandusky started right in 1870. A local businessman named Louis Zistel opened a beer garden, bathhouse, and dance floor in the summer of 1870 on the peninsula of Cedar Point. Guests were brought over on a steamboat he called, “Young Reindeer,” for 25 cents (considerably a cheap price at that time). It became a relaxing tour attraction that was “all the rage.” In 1892, the first thrill ride, the Switchback Railway, was only 25 feet high and it went only 10 mph. A guest of the 1870s compared to a guest today at Cedar Point would recognize only two similarities: the gorgeous beach of the peninsula and Lake Erie, and the smiles of the guests. The smiles guests have shared started during the first ferry ride that crossed the bay years ago and will forever be shined by future guests. Around over three million people visit Cedar Point each year. Today, Sandusky, Ohio has been known for its booming city life, beautiful nature, business, and tourism. Honestly, I did not know how much Sandusky has impacted our United States history, and I will definitely remember it on my trip there in the summer of 2012!
ReplyDeleteIt is a very hard decision to pick my favorite city. However, the most unique city I have visited would have to be Los Angeles, California. Most people call Los Angeles LA. In the early 1870’s, whites outnumbered the Hispanics for the first time. In 1873, the first trolley line within the city opened. Then in 1885, The Santa Fe railroad opened. This railroad connected Los Angeles with the rest of the nation. Hollywood was founded in 1886 by Harvey Henderson. Also, in 1886, the price of train tickets to Los Angeles decreased resulting in a population boom. Therefore, in 1890, the population of the city reached 50,000 citizens. Within ten more years, the population grew rapidly to 102,479 people. Los Angeles then became the 36th most populated city in America. Now, Japanese started arriving into the United States. This boost of immigrants then changed Los Angeles’s ranking to the 17th most populated city. In 1913, Cecil B. de Mille shot the first Hollywood movie, “Squaw Man.” By the 1920’s, 80% percent of the world’s movies were shot in California. Now we are in the 21st century, and in 2006 Los Angeles became the most populated county. In 2006, the city population had reached 3,976,071 people. Throughout the Gilded Age, Los Angeles has grown to become the city that it is today. Currently, Los Angeles continues to develop and is full of exciting things to do. You can visit Hollywood, the Kodak Theater, and much more popular places and stores. I personally liked LA because of all the interesting things to do and the amazing places that you can see.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite city is Tampa, Florida. I've been there many times and love its location and fun atmosphere. I was surprised to find that it went through many struggles when it was just starting out. These struggles went right along with our current studies! Tampa was founded as Fort Brooke in 1823. The Tampa area was once home to many different Native American groups. When European settlers arrived in Florida, they had many conflicts with the Seminole Tribe. The majority of Tampa's other Native American group, the Tocobaga, were already desist. Tampa faced many challenges during its first 50 years of existence. There were hardly any transportation links available in central Florida. Thankfully, the innovation of railroads solved this problem. Railroads brought people to Tampa from all over the country. One of the biggest events Tampa suffered through was the civil war in 1861. The war didn't completely destroy Tampa, yet it caused a population decline and extensive damage. Another problem that Tampa faced in its beginning was disease. Tampa is rich with swamplands. These swamplands are the ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes. Throughout the 1860's and early 1870's, yellow fever was an epidemic in Tampa. Disease and war put Tampa into a downward spiral. Things finally started to look up in the city when phosphate was discovered. The mining of phosphate brought new industry and interest in Tampa. By 1900, Tampa had become one of the largest cities in Florida. It maintains that status today! Presently, Tampa's economy is thriving. In fact, it's called 'the economic hub of west central Florida.' According to The City of Tampa, "It's economy is founded on a diverse base that includes tourism, agriculture, construction, finance, health care, technology, and maritime industry." Tampa is a great place to visit with tons of history to explore.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite city and vacation spot is Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Being a somewhat secluded island off the southern tip of South Carolina, Hilton Head was not an extremely major town of industry during the Gilded Age unlike the cities of Chicago, Illinois and New York, New York. However, Hilton Head did flourish after the end of the Civil War in 1865. In the 1870s, Plantation owners that had left Hilton Head because of the war reclaimed their plantations and paid back the taxes charges to their properties. The United Sates government also held some of Hilton Head’s land, and this land was sold to speculators or freedmen (men who had been freed from slavery) who lived on the island. One of the iconic symbols of Hilton Head, the Hilton Head Lighthouse, was built in 1870. Because Hilton Head was surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and many lakes and rivers, the seafood industry became very popular. The Hudson family and the Toomer family began to operate oyster factories in Hilton Head in 1980. Their restaurants, “Hudson’s” and “Bluffton Oyster Company” are still extremely popular in Hilton Head today. A setback in Hilton Head’s development came in 1893 when an enormous hurricane hit Beaufort County, killing at least 2,000 people on the island. Twelve-foot waves crashed into and flooded many parts of the island. Many of Hilton Head’s structures were destroyed in the devastating storm. The city of Hilton Head refused to let this natural disaster define them. Less than ten years later, in 1901, a fifteen-inch steam cannon was installed and tested on the beach at Coggins Point, which is today called Port Royal Plantation. A steam cannon launches projectiles using only just heat and water. The steam canon at Coggins Point was one of only thirteen canons used to protect the United States Coast. In 1914, World War One had begun, and by 1917 United States troops were stationed in Hilton Head as lookouts for possible submarine attacks. After World War One ended in 1919, natives of Hilton Head decided to travel to the mainland in order to make money. Gullah native islanders sailed bateaux, small, flat-bottomed boats used on rivers, to Savannah, Georgia to sell their crops and livestock. Major crops in Hilton Head during this time included cotton, sugar cane, rice and indigo. Boll weevil, a beetle that feeds on cotton and flowers, unfortunately destroyed almost all of the cotton on Hilton Head Island in 1920. In modern world of today, Hilton Head Island is a largely populated by tourists attracted to the city’s island feel and different beaches. The beaches on the island have tightly packed sand, so people on the island can ride bikes and even drive just inches from the Atlantic Ocean. Hilton Head may be a popular attraction, but one could never tell by just looking at the city. The atmosphere is very relaxed, and it offers escape from the surrounding world, with no building being taller than five stories. Overall, Hilton Head is an extremely versatile city, playing parts in both the Civil War and World War One, housing many opportunities for industry, yet still keeping a very relaxed and controlled status. The Gilded Age provided many opportunities for Hilton Head Island, and the city as a whole has continued to branch off these opportunities and others today.
ReplyDeleteIn our country, we have a numerous amount of cities that stand out for the things that set them apart from all the rest. My overall favorite city has to be New York City though, because it has so many things to see and do, making you fall in love with it. The Gilded Age was a good time for commercial and manufacturing areas of business there. About half the population in New York City was considered somewhat wealthy (having a good amount of money in their pocket) at that time. During the Gilded Age, many of the rich New Yorkers spend their time at operas and theatres. Many high end parties were held for people high in society and the wealthy wore a handful of diamonds when out. Wealthy people during the time included Henry Cook, who owned all the land from Fifth Avenue to Madison, and Andrew Carneige, a man who owned the Carneige Steel Company and made about $225 million from the company. Sadly, a good amount of people had basically no money and wore cheaply made clothes. Times were especially hard for those in that category. Amazingly, New York City rose above its two rival cities (Boston and Philadelphia) for prospering in various ways. A few challenges arose during the time however. The International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union went on strike in New York against sweatshops because they were not payed enough for how long they worked. Working conditions in factories everywhere were very dangerous, and many people died when working in them. Some political issues occurred as well with the machine called the Tammany Hall. William Marcy wanted more Democratic power and built a new city hall with it. Doing this, people discovered he made 3 million dollars selfishly for himself alone with the machine. Immigrants had hard times as well. Getting somewhat safe jobs with high wages was nearly impossible for immigrants. A handful of new innovations came about during this time involved with New York. The first Labor Day was celebrated in New York City. This would occur in the year 1882. It was an innovation to help America think of selfless others risking their lives for us. The Erie Canal was also made and connected New York City to the Great Lakes. This was really great for New York City by getting them more trades and money. Today though, New York City is the largest city in America. Around 790,000 companies work there and do well. Success occurs a lot there, whether being entertainment wise, culinary wise, etc. New York City is such a special city and makes a statement, thus giving America a more powerful and prominent reputation.
ReplyDeletePersonally my favorite city in the United States is Los Angeles, California. During the Gilded Age, Los Angeles was nowhere near the size it is today. The population was only 11,000 but in 1880 the University of Southern California was founded. During the 1880’s, immigrants stormed and by 1887 the population was 80,000. Because of the climate in southern California, the city had trouble supplying people with water. To solve this problem, Los Angeles built an aqueduct in 1908-1913 to bring water to the city. An aqueduct is a man-made channel for moving water, usually in the form of a bridge supported by tall columns across a valley. Los Angeles also had some disasters. In 1910 the LA Times building caught fire and exploded. The exact number of deaths and cost of the damage is unknown but it is estimated that anywhere from 25-100 died and costs were up to $500,000. The explosion happened at about 1 o’clock on the second floor of an additional building. The first film ever was made in Los Angeles and was called The Horse in Motion. Today, Los Angeles is the second largest city in the US (3.8 million people) and is the media capital of the world. The early struggles of Los Angeles have most defiantly helped it to become the city it is today.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite city would be Miami, Florida. I have been to Miami multiple times for vacation and to visit family. Miami is known for it's laid back lifestyle and warm climate. At the beginning of the Gilded Age, Miami was not even a city. There were few people that lived there, and it had no name. 20 years later in 1890, two major storms hit the Florida area. Many of the residents of Florida worked as citrus growers. These two storms killed all their crops. A woman by the name of Julia Tuttle lived in the what is now Miami area. Her citrus crops were unaffected by the two winter storms that hit. Julia Tuttle had asked railroad builder, Henry Flagler to build his railroad all the way down to her area, but he initially declined. Once the second storm had hit, and Tuttle's plantation was unaffected, Julia asked Flagler once more to extend his railroad. She asked him to visit Miami and see what he thought. He liked Miami very much and he finally agreed to extend his railroad. Tuttle and Flagler made an agreement that Flagler would extend his railroad and build a hotel in the area in exchange for a chunk of Tuttle's land. This agreement was approved on October 24th, 1895. Men flocked to the Miami area looking for a part in building the railroad. On April 7th, 1896 the railroad tracks finally reached Miami. On July 28th, 1896 a meeting was formed to discuss the making of Miami as a city. The idea was approved that night. 502 voters had agreed to make Miami a city including 100 registered black voters. The blacks were a main part in building the actual city itself. Many people wanted to name the city Flagler after Henry Flagler but it was eventually decided that Miami would be the name, after the Miami River.
ReplyDeleteYou "city blogggers" may want to check edline for your blog scores. Points were lost for lack of details (many of you talk of events but give no date for example), and typos are also showing up with regularity. Again, I encourage typing in word, then cut and pasting...and of course proofread!
ReplyDeleteMy personal favorite city, would have to be Chicago, IL. I enjoy going there and think it is the coolest city in the United States. Louis Jolliet and Jesuit Jacques Marquette were the first to find the Chicago in 1673, along with the help of Indians. Even though the settlement was founded in 1781 by Jean Baptiste Point du Sable. As we know the Gilded Age was a time where Americans faced enormous social and economical upheaval. During the Gilded age, Chicago had a terrible fire destroying around 40 percent of the city, but fortunately this gave a large opportunity to rebuild. Which helped Chicago become the center of architectural innovation, and gave rise to Frank Lloyd Wright. Chicago is where architects devised the first skyscrapers, which were made of steel frames based upon cement caissons sunk to bedrock far below the surface. Chicago also became the home of major manufacturing companies, which helped support the West's agricultural trade. Coal mining was another major industry in Chicago during the Gilded age, Mining Companies shipped coal out of urban areas by railroad systems. The Knights of Labor first emerged in Chicago in 1877, when the city's craftsmen and unions had largely disappeared during unskilled workers' violent clashes with soldiers and police. The great strike of 1877, convinced many employers, that wage cuts had reached their rock bottom. Chicago's economy today consists of manufacturing, printing and publishing, finance and insurance, and food processing. Chicago is still working hard to change their economy today, like building the long anticipated Millennium Park in the summer of 2004. Chicago is still one of the largest cities in the United States and is changing economically every day. Chicago is still facing hard times as they did during the Gilded age, but they are economically recovering very well.
ReplyDeleteWe have not touched on F.L. Wright, but his architecture is certainly worth mentioning! I like that Ian also tied the famous Knight of Labor to Chicago. Many of you may not realize that the Pullman RR strike took place in Pullman's Company Town just outside Chicago.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite city I have chosen is Jacksonville, Florida. I grew up in Jacksonville and had spent my childhood learning the southern "style" there. When researching Jacksonville, Florida during the Gilded Age, I had come to discover that Jacksonville had elected a Jewish mayor right before WWI. Jacksonville was home to many Jewish merchants who had their sights set on the future of this country.
ReplyDeleteThis city was a major Jewish milestone in the young America. Fewer than 1,000 Jews lived in Florida during the early Gilded Age, but there was no cemetery on record for Jewish people until in 1857 (yes, before the Gilded Age) residents in Jacksonville decided ‘Hey, I’m Jewish and I would like a cemetery for my corpse just like everybody else.’ Jacksonville, being a southern city, was not too big on the Yankees who prayed on it. Harrison Reed was a spokesman for businessmen in Jacksonville at the time. Jacksonville was mostly a follower of the self proclaimed “Unionist Party” that was created by ex-Whigs and businessmen who were Democrats. The mere word Republican could make you cringe down in Jacksonville. The city today, however, is a clear mix of all cultures. I personally never saw the heart of the city too much, due to the fact that I was a privileged white girl who had a lawyer for a father. We mostly had spent our time at the beaches and in the “better” parts of Jacksonville. Jacksonville is a place for the rich, the poor, the middle class, and all races. I do not recall seeing much discrimination that I can pick out in my mind. In a city environment like Jacksonville, and the southern culture being mixed in as well, people are more accepted; like the Jews were in the early Gilded Ages. The rich culture of this flourishing southern city brings/brought people together, even in the Gilded Ages.
Thanks for sharing Brooke!
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