After the great fire of 1871

As Chicago rebounded from the great fire of 1871, two things happened. First, commercial businesses moved downtown and residences retreated. Second, Chicago built up as well as out, making it the skyscraper capital of the world. Many rich businessmen sought out Prairie Avenue between 16th and 22nd street to build mansions, Marshall Field, George M. Pullman, William Kimball, to name a few. This was important because they set a precedent which gained many followers as those who wanted to be part of the "sunny street that held the sifted few."