Today in Chicago History: Ferris wheel debuts at World’s Columbian Exposition

Here’s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on June 15, according to the Tribune’s archives.

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

Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago)

• High temperature: 96 degrees (2022)
• Low temperature: 43 degrees (1997)
• Precipitation: 2.56 inches (2015)
• Snowfall: None

1893: Visitors to the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago got to ride the debut of the first Ferris wheel, which was designed by George W. Ferris.

“It seemed as if 100,000 gazed in trembling and anticipation of something awful from the earth below,” a Tribune reporter aboard one of the cars recounted. “The stream of humanity along the Midway ceased its movement and gazed at the monster wheel.”

The wheel’s height: a staggering 264 feet. The cars were 24 feet long, 13 feet wide and 10 feet high, and the whole construction weighed 26,000 pounds.

Arlington International Racecourse: History of one of the ‘world’s most beautiful racetracks’

1927: Ground was broken in Arlington Heights at the site of the new horse racing track, then known as Arlington Park, which was expected to cost $2 million to complete.

Vintage Chicago Tribune: How Wrigley Field got lights and why Cubs fans had to wait past 8-8-88 to raise ‘W’ flag

1948: When the light switch was flipped on at Briggs Stadium in Detroit, Wrigley Field became the only Major League Baseball stadium without lights.

2015: For the first time in 77 years, the Chicago Blackhawks celebrated winning a Stanley Cup at home in Chicago as they topped the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-0 in Game 6 before a crowd of 22,424 delirious fans at the United Center.

It was the Hawks’ third NHL championship in six seasons.

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