Vertical Growth of the American City

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In the late 1800s and 1900s, American cities grew both horizontally and vertically. In the photos below, examples of the vertical or "skyscraper" development of cities are pictured. Why do you think buildings were built "up" instead of "out" during this period? What advantages did the skyscrapers offer? What problems do you think were created by skyscrapers? In order for skyscrapers to be functional, what other building developments do you think were made during this time?

Click on the photographs below to view larger images. View additional images on this topic from Touring Turn-of-the-Century America, 1880-1920 and from American Landscape and Architectural Design, 1850-1920. Use your browser's Back Button to return to this point.

Park Row Building, New York	New York: "Canyon" Street
New York City	Pittsburgh, Pa.
New York Life Building, Chicago	State Street, Chicago, Ill.

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Click on the photographs above to view larger images. View additional images on this topic from Touring Turn-of-the-Century America, 1880-1920 and from American Landscape and Architectural Design, 1850-1920. Use your browser's Back Button to return to this point.

Civil War and Reconstruction | Rise of Industrial America | Progressive Era to New Era

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Last updated 09/26/2002