In the 1800s, the city of Chicago was at roughly the same level as Lake Michigan. This lack of drainage made for standing water that caused typhoid, dysentery, and cholera outbreaks. The solution was to raise the buildings about six feet higher.
Raising a block of Chicago buildings in 1857.
Fullsize image: https://diqn32j8nouaz.cloudfront.net...s_fullsize.jpg
https://diqn32j8nouaz.cloudfront.net..._buildings.jpg
More: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raising_of_Chicago
Previously:
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...066#post120458
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...685#post132986
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...957#post137589
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...967#post112043
