there was no lantern in the shed…
Last night, 
helloheather and I went to a talk at the CL Public Library. The topic was the architect Daniel Burnham who's most noted for designing and overseeing the construction of the 1893 Worlds Columbian Exposistion in Chicago (but whose accolades certainly do not start or end there).
Chicago has one of, if not the, greatest collection of architecture styles in the world. And this is due almost entirely to the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. While it destroyed over 18,000 buildings in just 3 days time, the fire granted the city a clean slate from which to design and rebuild.
As it turns out, the fire started at the corner of S. Jefferson St. and W De Koven St. which is just about 1.4 miles from work. I couldn't ask for a better excuse to go for a walk during lunch. And so, with the sun out and the temps at 40 deg F, off I went. What's there today, one might ask?
The Chicago Fire Department Academy, where new firefighters are trained.
click for a larger view
The sculpture marks the location where the fire started. Around back, I saw new firefighters being instructed on the use of ladders. It was a neat walk and is an excellent bit of history.