On the 150th anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire, a group of University of Chicago students hiked the six-mile long path of the blaze to learn more about the city they call home during their undergraduate studies.
The tour was organized by the College’s Chicago Studies program, which aims to educate students in both urban scholarship and citizenry. Students have the distinctive opportunity to engage with their chosen disciplines through real-world applications in the city, making for a truly transformative educational experience.
“I think it's really important and exciting to be able to explore the city that we're living in,” said first-year Micayla Roth. “Getting out with the school and meeting other kids who were interested in doing the same thing was pretty exciting.”
The Great Chicago Fire hike on Oct. 8 was a perfect example of the Chicago Studies mission. Beginning near the West Loop neighborhood, the hike traveled northward toward Lincoln Park. While providing a historical account of one of the darkest moments in the city’s history, the tour also encouraged students to think about how their choices affect the city today.
“It was interesting to see just how unprepared [the city was in 1871], how so many factors can be overlooked,” said Roth. “It makes you think, what else are we overlooking? What could happen because we're not prepared?”
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This story was first published by The College at the University of Chicago.
