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Why Chicago’s Lost Union Stockyards Ended in Flames | Chicago's 2nd Great Fire
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Discover the fascinating history of Chicago's Union Stockyards, from its early beginnings as a small livestock market to becoming the largest meatpacking center in the world. Learn how Chicago's location as a rail hub played a crucial role in the growth of the meatpacking industry, and how the invention of the refrigerated railcar transformed Chicago into a national meatpacking hub. However, the success of the stockyards came at a cost, as the working conditions and slums surrounding the stockyards were notorious. The video also covers the great fire of 1910 and the downfall of the Union Stockyards. Finally, explore what remains of the historic site today. Don't miss this fascinating look into the history of one of America's most iconic industrial sites.
00:00 - What happened to Chicago Stockyards?
01:10 - Chicago’s First Stockyards
02:28 - How Chicago’s location as a rail hub influenced the meat packing industry
03:08 - The opening of Chicago’s Union Stockyards
06:04 - The refrigerated railcar made Chicago a national meatpacking hub
07:45 - The Manpower & Slums behind Chicago’s Union Stockyards
09:10 - Chicago’s other great fire
10:47 - The Downfall of Chicago’s Union Stockyards
11:37 - What remains of Chicago’s Union Stockyards today?
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IT’S HISTORY - Weekly tales of American Urban Decay as presented by your host Ryan Socash.
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Scriptwriter - Bex Weinstein
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Host - Ryan Socash
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Some images may be used for illustrative purposes only - always reflecting the accurate time frame and content. Events of factual error / mispronounced word/spelling mistakes - retractions will be published in this section.
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