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Today in Chicago History: Fire destroys McCormick Place

Chicago Fire Department boats battle the blaze that destroyed McCormick Place in January 1967. More than 500 firefighters were called to the scene as flames spread throughout the structure. (Luigi Mendicino/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Fire Department boats battle the blaze that destroyed McCormick Place in January 1967. More than 500 firefighters were called to the scene as flames spread throughout the structure. (Luigi Mendicino/Chicago Tribune)
By | krumore@chicagotribune.com | Chicago Tribune
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Here’s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Jan. 16, according to the Tribune’s archives.

Is an important event missing from this date? Email us.

Prohibition began 100 years ago this week. Americans are drinking more now than we were then.

Front page flashback: Jan. 17, 1967

A blaze started in draperies inside a housewares exhibit inside the north end of McCormick Place early on Jan. 16, 1967 and quickly spread. The building was destroyed. (Chicago Tribune)
A blaze started in draperies inside a housewares exhibit inside the north end of McCormick Place early on Jan. 16, 1967, and quickly spread. The building was destroyed. (Chicago Tribune)

1967: McCormick Place was destroyed by fire.

Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago)

  • High temperature: 57 degrees (1990)
  • Low temperature: Minus 25 degrees (1982)
  • Precipitation: 0.90 inches (2017)
  • Snowfall: 6.4 inches (1885)
"To be the greatest merchant of the present day is to be the greatest merchant in the history of the world," the Tribune wrote about Marshall Field after the department store founder's death in 1906. (Chicago Tribune)
"To be the greatest merchant of the present day is to be the greatest merchant in the history of the world," the Tribune wrote about Marshall Field after the department store founder's death in 1906. (Chicago Tribune)

1906: Marshall Field died in New York of pneumonia contracted during a winter game of golf. He’s buried in Graceland Cemetery.

Harold "Red" Grange, right, who is returning from a coast to coast "football tour," is greeted by his brother Garland Grange, left, upon his arrival at the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad station on Feb. 4, 1926. (Chicago Tribune historical photo)
Harold "Red" Grange, right, who is returning from a coast to coast "football tour," is greeted by his brother Garland Grange, left, upon his arrival at the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad station on Feb. 4, 1926. (Chicago Tribune historical photo)

1926: Red Grange scored two touchdowns before more than 70,000 fans in the Los Angeles Coliseum. The Chicago Bears beat the Los Angeles Tigers 17-7.

1982: ‘It’s awful!’ Chicago recorded its third-coldest temperature — minus 25 degrees.

Chicago weather: A look back at our coldest recorded temperatures

During the team's visit to the White House on Jan. 16, 2017, the Chicago Cubs offered President Barack Obama a "pardon" for being a White Sox fan. (Chicago Tribune)
During the team's visit to the White House on Jan. 16, 2017, the Chicago Cubs offered President Barack Obama a "pardon" for being a White Sox fan. (Chicago Tribune)

2017: “Here is something none of my predecessors ever got a chance to say: Welcome to the White House the World Series Champion, Chicago Cubs!”

President Barack Obama honored the 2016 Chicago Cubs with a celebration day in Washington, D.C.

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Have an idea for Vintage Chicago Tribune? Share it with Kori Rumore and Marianne Mather at krumore@chicagotribune.com and mmather@chicagotribune.com

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