Burnham: The Devil In The White City

During the time period in which the story takes place, Chicago held the nickname “The Back City” due to its heavily polluted air and the dark crimes that occurred on its streets. Women went missing each day, disappearing into the smoke of the city, and credit fraud was common. In building The World's Fair upon Chicago’s grounds, Burnham attempted to beautify Chicago’s reputation. He designed glorious buildings to transform the wasteland of Jackson Park into a stunning spectacle. To lighten up the air of Chicago, Burnham had the structures painted white. The fair brought hope and light to the city through its festivities and bright color. The city was changed from dark and dreary to light and hopeful with the construction of the World's Fair.
At this time, America was in the heart of the industrial revolution. Rapid technological advances changed the lives of citizens, and women began to be integrated into the working class. Society became structured around these new advancements, causing factory and construction jobs to become more common. These jobs were unsafe, as hundreds of dedicated workers died from work-related accidents. In response to poor working conditions and low wages, unions formed. These unions, while they unified workers, helped spread unrest through the country. In addition, many banks and businesses were forced to close due to economic
He designed the building by hand, equipping it with numerous murder devices such as gas pipes and sound proof vaults. Holmes decided to turn the building into a hotel. He named it The World’s Fair Hotel in order to attract fair attendees. Holmes lures young women into the hotel and ends their lives through various methods of cruelty.
Climax: Immediately after opening day, the fair’s attendance was meager. Individuals were unimpressed by the incompleteness of the construction, and the lack of a structure comparable to the Eiffel Tower. However, after the most essential element, the ferris wheel, was completed, the entire country became consumed by the fair and its activities. Burnham is able to prove his significance to the world, despite his lack of a formal degree. All of his work and effort payed off. Holmes used the fair to attract his two newest victims, Minnie and Annie Williams. He bribes the sisters with a trip to Europe, however he kills them before they set foot out of the country. Holmes gains Minnie’s