Newberry Library & the Man Shipped Home in a Rum Barrel
Whether there was rum in it or not is up for debate.
Each week, discover an historic Chicago landmark and meet the people who built the Windy City. Includes audio recorded by the amazing Jim Goodrich.
Walter Loomis Newberry was the kind of man who prepared. Before moving to Chicago in 1833 he'd already invested in real estate. The town was barely a town, but Walter went ahead and plunked down some cash for a piece of swamp.
As the town became a city, canal fever inspired speculation and quick riches, but Walter took the steady route, which protected him when the panic of 1837 destroyed less methodical men.
Who would’ve thought he’d end up in a rum barrel?
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