Urban Growth in America (Late 19th - Early 20th Century)

Rapid Urbanization

• Late 19th and early 20th century marked rapid growth in American cities.
• By 1920, over two dozen cities had populations exceeding 100,000.

Major City Growth Examples

• New York City: From 1.4 million (1870) to 3.8 million (1900).
• Philadelphia: From 674,000 (1870) to over 1.2 million (1900).
• Chicago: Grew from 299,000 (1870) to over 1.7 million (1900).

Western Cities

• Growth stimulated by railroads and settlement.
• Wichita, Kansas: Developed alongside major railroad lines.
• Los Angeles: Grew due to tourism and later, oil discovery.

Urban Living Conditions

Poor Planning and Overcrowding

• Cities expanded rapidly without proper planning.
• High land values, cramped housing conditions.
• Immigrant influx contributed to overcrowding.

Industrial and Residential Challenges

• Factories dominated city landscapes.
• Workers needed to live close to workplaces.
• Lack of zoning laws led to congested, high-rent housing.

Public Health and Safety Issues

• Cities heavily depended on coal fires, raising fire risks.
• Firefighting was initially unorganized; gangs of boys used buckets.
• Kerosene lamps were primary light sources, increasing fire hazards.

Pollution and Sanitation

• Heavy reliance on coal and open fires resulted in smoke and smog.
• Cities like Pittsburgh faced severe pollution and soot issues.
• Open sewers and cesspools were common in cities like Baltimore and New Orleans.

Epidemic Diseases

• Frequent outbreaks of diseases such as yellow fever, cholera, and typhus.
• New York City experienced widespread disease outbreaks.

Impact of Horses in Urban Areas

Transportation and Sanitation

• Horses were main transport means, contributing to sanitation issues.
• Large manure accumulation was a significant concern.
• 150,000 - 200,000 horses in New York City alone.
• "Great Manure Crisis" predicted cities could be buried under horse manure.

Animal Carcass Disposal

• Disposal of dead animals (e.g., horses) was a logistical challenge.
• Jacob Rees documented urban life, including carcass scenes.

Key Figures and Literature

Jacob Reese

• Documented slums' conditions in his book "How the Other Half Lives."
• Provided visual evidence of urban challenges through photography.