Great Chicago Fire

Great Chicago Fire

QIC: Rubber Ducky

Date: 10.8.2026

PAX: Van Gogh, Wahoo, Cruiser, Rubber Ducky

On this day in 1871 the Great Chicago Fire occurred.  Many people wonder (or I least by many I mean myself) why the fire codes we have are so strict.  I recently got back from my company’s annual meeting in Chicago, and I was in awe how beautiful a city she is.  If Gotham City was real, I feel like it would be Chicago.  Here are a couple of key facts about this event.

Key Facts & Statistics

• Dates: October 8–10, 1871 (lasting roughly 36 hours)
• Death Toll: Approximately 300 people died.
• Displacement: Over 100,000 residents (about one-third of the city’s population) were left homeless.
• Property & Land Destroyed: Roughly 2,112 to 2,124 acres (about 3.3 to 3.5 square miles), including 17,500 buildings.
• Financial Cost: Estimated at $200 million to $222 million in 1871 currency (roughly $5 billion today).

• Weather Conditions: The city had suffered a severe summer drought with only about an inch of rain in the preceding months, combined with strong, steady southwest winds.
• Building Materials: Much of Chicago—including houses, commercial blocks, and even sidewalks—was built using wooden balloon-frame structures and dry tar or shingle roofs.
• The Cow Legend: The famous story that Catherine O’Leary’s cow kicked over a lantern to start the fire was invented by a newspaper reporter and later officially debunked/exonerated by the Chicago City Council in 1997. The exact cause remains unknown.
• How It Ended: The fire was finally extinguished on the morning of October 10 when rain moved in, aided by Lake Michigan and natural breaks like unbuilt lots.
• On the same night was the Peshtigo Fire that killed an estimated 2500 people in Wisconsin and burned 1.5 million acres.
• Temperatures topped an estimated 2000 degrees which caused sand to melt into glass.

Just reading this had me gob smacked.  In honor of the 300 and the 2500 lost souls, I came up with a workout.  No running, 30 reps x 10 exercises.  We will run down the list and then back up the list.

The Thang:

30 Reps each with a Block (Coupon)

• Swings
• Overhead Press
• Squate
• Lunge – Single Count 15 each leg
• Skull Crushers
• Front Raises
• Calf Raises – on Block or Ground
• Deadlifts
• Bus Drivers – Surprisingly Difficult for 30 reps
• Blockies – Also difficult

Then repeato but in reverse.  Yes, you read that right 60 Blockies (insert nut punch).

Then Mary.  – Done

NMM –

• Wahoo is getting his first taste of the Carolina Classic Fair with his kids
  • Cheap entry – expensive food and liquid diabetes on tap
• Cruiser – was good to see him out with his impeccable squat form and creating jealously over his hip flexibility
• Van Gogh – had a sore back coming off the bourbon chase. Also, he got in on free admission to the Carolina Classic Fair for special needs folks.  I’ll let you ask him about that one.
• Toot – We are all praying for him and here to support. I saw his message on slack last night and felt compelled to step in.  Hopefully he will be back doubling down with us soon on Saturdays.  Get well my friend.

Blind Date was out but we left the keys over by the smoker.

Thanks again for letting me lead and I am forever thankful for this group.

Duck Out !