Chapter 20 “The Changing Face of

Cities”Section 3

Big cities ran out of space in their downtown areas

Planners and architects decide to build up

Cities Take on a New Look

The first high rise building was constructed in Chicago in 1885. It was ten (10) stories high.

Going Up

Traffic jams become a problem as more people are living in cities

Frank Sprague designed the first electric street car system in Richmond Virginia

Public Transportation

Street cars ( or trolley) were fast, clean and quiet

In 1897, Boston led the way in building the first underground electric railway

Public Transportation contd.

In 1904, New York opened the first section of its subway system

Earlier New York had built an elevated train called the E1. Steam engines pulled passengers cars along overhead tracks.

Public Transportation contd.

1850 Fredrick Law Olmstead planned Central Park in New York City

Other cities followed this model setting asideareas for zoos and gardens so that people

couldenjoy green grass and trees during leisure

time.

Open Spaces

In the 1800’s department stores sprang up, selling all kinds of goods in one building

In 1902 R.H. Macy opened a nine (9) story building at Herald Square in New York City

These department stores led to a new pastime, shopping

A New World for Shoppers

Americans found a great escape through sports

A Passion for Sports

By the late 1800’s baseball was becoming the nation’s favorite sport

Baseball was first played in New York City in the 1840’s

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

During the Civil War, New York soldiers showed other Union troops how to play the game

At first African Americans played baseball too

In the 1880’s they were barred from playing major league baseball

Ballgame contd.

In 1885 Frank Thompson organized a group of waiters into the first black professional team, the Cuban Giants of Long Island

In early baseball pitchers threw the ball underhand

Catchers caught the ball after one bounce

Ballgame contd.

Fielders did not wear gloves

High scores were common

One championship game ended with a score of 103 to 8

Ballgame contd.

Football grew out of soccer, which Americans had played since the colonial times

Players did not wear helmets and were often hurt In one season 44 college players died from

injury

Rough and Tumble Football

James Naismith invented basketball in 1891

An Indoor sport

He planned to use square boxes, not hoops but the janitor nailed two (2) bushels baskets to the wall

The players tried to throw soccer balls into the baskets

The game caught on and spread to other YMCA’s and then to colleges

Indoor contd.

A wide variety of cultural activities spread through cities including music

Generally only the wealthy attended orchestras or symphonies

Vaudeville: a variety show that included comedians, song and dance routines, and acrobats

Other Entertainment

Ragtime: a new kind of music with a lively rhythmic sound

Scott Joplin, an African American composer, helped make ragtime popular

Entertainment contd.

Songwriters and Thomas Edison’s phonograph helped make song recording a popular industry

Popular Songs

Music and other kinds of entertainment brought Americans together

People from different culture sang the same songs and saw the same shows

Traveling groups like acting companies, circuses and Wild West shows spread American culture beyond the cities to small towns everywhere

Shared Experiences