The Great Cities of Yore: How Many Folks Fit in 1900's NYC and Chi-Town?
Ah, 1900. A time of top hats, horse-drawn carriages, and, believe it or not, cities absolutely booming with people! Today, we're taking a trip back in time to see just how many folks were living it up in the bustling metropolises of New York City and Chicago. Buckle up, history buffs (and anyone who's ever wondered if their great-great-grandma was rubbing elbows with gangsters or Wall Street tycoons).
New York City: A Crowded Apple Even Back Then
New York City, the city that never sleeps (or apparently runs out of people!), was already a mega-city in 1900. Hold onto your fedoras, because the population back then was a whopping 3.4 million. That's right, folks, over 3 MILLION people were crammed into what would have been a much smaller area compared to the sprawling metropolis we know today. Imagine the jostling on the subway (well, the pre-subway equivalent)!
Side note: Can you imagine the amount of horse manure that must have been on the streets? We'll save that discussion for another day.
Chicago: The Windy City With a Big Heart (and Population)
Meanwhile, out in the Midwest, Chicago was experiencing its own population boom. The city, then known for its booming meatpacking industry and, of course, fierce winds, boasted a population of around 1.7 million. That's still a pretty impressive number, considering Chicago wouldn't become the third-most populous city in the US until much later.
Fun fact: Back in 1900, Chicago was the second-most populous city in the US, after New York City, of course.
So, What Does This Mean for You?
Probably not a whole lot in your day-to-day life (unless you're a time traveler). But hey, a little historical knowledge never hurt anyone, right? Now you can impress your friends at trivia night with the knowledge that 1900 New York City was already a concrete jungle, and Chicago was a bustling metropolis in its own right.
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered (Probably)
How to move to 1900 New York City?
...Unfortunately, a time machine hasn't been invented yet (that we know of). But hey, you can always visit!
How to ride the horse-drawn carriages of Chicago in 1900? Again, the time machine thing. However, you might be able to find some historical reenactments!
How many times bigger was New York City's population in 1900 compared to Chicago? Roughly double! New York City had about 3.4 million people, while Chicago had 1.7 million.
Were there any famous people living in these cities in 1900? Absolutely! New York City might have had folks like Mark Twain and Theodore Roosevelt wandering around, while Chicago could have been home to young Ernest Hemingway or Jane Addams.
Why should I care about the population of these cities in 1900? Because it shows just how much these cities have grown and changed over time! It's a fun glimpse into the past.
