A period of intense activity immediately followed the Great Fire of 1871. By one year after the Fire over eight miles of building frontage had been rebuilt.
 
REBUILDING

Many buildings were rebuilt from the original plans, and many others of five and six stories were undertaken. Buildings were being given to means of preventing another disaster by fire. Elevators became in use during this period, permitting higher buildings that flourished later.
 
STARTING IN THE SECOND CITY

Chicago rose again to be "the second city" and 617 Fulton became the first industrial building in the area. The building rising in importance with the industrial revolution for pioneering structure of modern architecture.