Health Issues by Krystal Antunez

In the 19th century, people saw that the Industrial Revolution brought more opportunities for employment and it also brought the increase need of food, clothing, and shelter. The growth of businesses and factories invited more and more people to migrate from their lives of living in the rural cities to living in urbanized cities instead. However, too many people were coming to the cities, which led to excessive overcrowding. As more people were coming in, the less shelter was available. Some people, such as immigrants, had to live in tenements that were extremely overcrowded and unsanitary. The people who lived during this era lacked hygiene and did not have the knowledge of how to keep their society clean. Their homes were filthy and their water was not suitable for bathing or drinking. The factories and streets of the industrial cities were disheveled as well. All of the cities were polluted. Unfortunately, health issues developed, causing a health crisis in the industrial cities.

The development of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis (TB), cholera, typhoid fever, diphtheria, and typhus aroused because of the unhealthy housing and working conditions of the atmospheres. These diseases affected the poor and the working class the most, though the rich did not manage to escape either. Thousands were killed by the epidemics of the diseases. Tuberculosis and cholera were two of the most feared illnesses of the people. TB affected those who were malnourished and underfed. It spread when one person breathed in another’s exhaled sputum that was already infected with the disease. TB attacked the victim’s lungs and caused the wasting of the body. People with this condition would cough and spit out yellow and spongy tubercles. TB especially spread to the people who lived in tenements. In the 1830s, typhus was the main widespread disease. Typhus is a disease of humans and lice that was deadly. It developed as the result of the overcrowding and unhealthy living conditions of the time. Diphtheria was a common childhood disease. It was highly contagious and deadly. This disease made it difficult for the child to breathe, as well as causing suffering from fever and severe weakness. Often, the disease weakened the child unbearably and they would later die.

Typhoid fever was an infectious disease that caused headaches and rashes. It flourished when food and water were contaminated by fecal substances. It developed when there was too much accumulation of bacteria in the living conditions of the people. Living conditions were filthy and disgusting, smelly and atrocious, damp and wet. A water-borne illness such as cholera was developed because the industrial cities did not have a proper planned sewage system. The water from the sewers was contaminated and came into contact with drinking water which made the disease easily spreadable. Cholera killed thousands of people. The symptoms of cholera were nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, which then led to dehydration of the body, painfully killing most of the people with the disease within twenty-four hours (Burchill 2010). No one knew what the cause of this disease was until 1855, when a physician named John Snow, traced a part of the cholera epidemic to a contaminated water pump on Broad Street (Edmondson 2007). He removed the pump to prevent people from using it, which dramatically decreased the chances of getting cholera in that area. In 1848, Parliament passed a law that was known as the Public Health Act, which called for the formation of a central board to clean up the cities. “In an attempt to contain the disease, Health Boards were set up to establish better standards of sanitation. Local government officials were told to clean up the towns and cities. They were instructed to provide for the removal of solid waste heaps and other household wastes, to clean the streets (particularly of the large amounts of horse manure) and to whitewash houses wherever possible.” (Burchill 2010). This act impacted the health and living conditions of the people. Not only did it diminish cholera, but it also eradicated other diseases as well.

A Filthy Father Thames


A Punch magazine cartoon from 1858 shows Father Thames with 'his offspring', diphtheria, scrofula and cholera.


An image of Industrial Revolution Pollution

Edmondson, R. (June 2007). Health Issues. “The Industrial Revolution and Public Health.” Retrieved March 2, 2011

Burchill, Shirley. (2010). Cholera. “Urban Conditions.” Retrieved March 4, 2011 from http://www.saburchill.com/history/chapters/IR/039a.html

Leisure Activities by Kristine Dygert

America’s leisure activities varied considerably in the late 19th century and early 20th century depending on gender, class, and race. The upper-class boasted in elite theaters, museums, and concert halls while the middle class’ leisure activities consisted of organized sports, school clubs, and saloons, but in their own cultural neighborhood. Gender also played a role in the types of leisure activities that people were involved in. Males, usually single or immigrants gathered in saloons, dance halls, gambling facilities, and race tracks to relax. Women tended to mingle at church functions or socialize with friends and family (Mintz, 2007).

The beginning of the new century brought about a new admiration for dancing, attending amusement parks, and organized professional sports. The young sought out dance halls and movie theaters to escape parental control and to have liberty to mingle with the opposite sex. The amusement parks, such as Coney Island, attracted those seeking excitement. “It’s informality and sheer excitement attracted people of every class” (Mintz, 2007).

In the early 20th century, many spectators flocked to attend professional sporting events such as baseball, football, and boxing. People were not only interested in watching these activities professionally, but were also participating in them on an amateur level and in high schools and colleges. By 1915, the upsurge of these commercialized recreational activities transformed American culture and the way Americans intermingled regardless of gender, class or race.

Mintz, S. (2007). Commercialized Leisure. Digital History. Retrieved February 25, 2011

Moonbeams KC Baseball team, Early 1900s, image courtesy of noscruff.org.


Image is advertising Willow Grove Pennsylvania Amusement Park

Streetcar Neighborhoods by Shannen Rimando

As the cities began to become overcrowded, suburbs began to flourish. Streetcars and other public transportation allowed the development of suburbs to blossom. Class and ethnicity distinguished the social geography of the cities. With the rate of immigration increasing and public transportation increasing, the middle class seemed to have abandoned the city life. (Calhoun 110) This allowed the new immigrants to fill in the spots of the city. The start of streetcars, railways, and trolleys allowed the wealthy to move into the country’s first suburbs. (Mintz) All these events shaped what our society looks like. Immigration brought forth flourishing cities. Overcrowded cities pushed technology in leading the start of suburbs.

Calhoun, Charles William. The Gilded Age: Perspectives on the Origins of Modern America. Rowman & Littlefield. 2007. Pgs 108-112.

Mintz, S. (2007). The Rise of the Modern City. Digital History. Retrieved 24 February 2011


Lower Broadway, 1899 - lots of hats! - WiredNewYork.com


New York City Street Car - Early 1900s - McMahanPhoto.com

Skyscrapers by Twyla Jackson

Part of the urbanization of the city during the latter part of the nineteenth century included skyscrapers. With innovations such as steel, elevators, and the telephone, technology allowed for the construction of these tall buildings. Chicago and New York were among the first cities in America to grace their skylines with these buildings. Initially, skyscrapers existed to accommodate the growing cities. Everything from apartments to retail shops to business offices could be home to skyscrapers. Now, they are considered a form a prestige and power.

Howe, Jeffery. (1998). A digital archive of American architecture. Retrieved February 27, 2011

C. Gilbert: Woolworth Building. New York City, 1913. 792'


Hood & Howells: Chicago Tribune Tower. Chicago, 1922-1925. 473'


Starrett Bros & Eken: Empire State Building. New York City, 1934. 1250'

Tenements by Marlene Huntsman

The population exploded in the 19^th century due to the large number of immigrants flocking to the United States in search of the “American Dream”. Overpopulation became a huge problem especially in the cities were real estate was scarce. Many immigrants lived in tenements, narrow low rise apartment buildings that were initially used as single family dwellings. However, they were now being used to house a record number of immigrants eventually causing overcrowding. Conditions were horrid within these tenements which had a lack of indoor plumbing and no proper ventilation. Few windows existed and many were forced to live with no natural light in depressed rooms. Children played in areas that were infested with sewage causing many to become ill and prone to many diseases.

Jacob Riis, an immigrant himself documented the appalling living conditions in which the immigrants had to overcome within New York City. These pictures depict the horrible conditions such as, standing water within the rooms, overcrowding, and filth that plagued the residents. However, within the tenements many cultures, religions, and personalities co-existed and flourished. Different people with very different thoughts and opinions on the world somehow managed to stay positive through the negative. Today, most of the tenements that existed have been replaced by low income “subsidized” housing.

Maher, J. (2005-2011). Documenting the Social Scene. Retrieved February 22, 2011, from James Maher Photography.

5 cent Lodging by Jacob Riis


Dens of Death by Jacob Riis

The Cities by Laura Kueker

The years spanning from 1885-1915, saw quite a difference in population size and quality. Immigrants from all over the world, but mostly Europe and China, were making their way to America in pursuit of their dreams of a better life. The top four cities throughout these years were New York City, Chicago, Philadelphia, and St. Louis. There were many reasons why these cities in particular grew so rapidly, especially New York, but for the immigrants who arrived, here their reasons were all the same.

With the end of the Civil War, and the kick-off of the Industrial revolution, there was a tumultuous wave of immigrants both internally and externally. Southern blacks were moving up north trying to flee the harsh racism of the south. They settled in the Burroughs of New York, and on the outskirts of Philadelphia. The main influx of foreign immigrants came from European countries including Italy, Greece, Russia, Ireland, Germany, Poland, and others. The reason for New York becoming so populated was the fact that the main port for immigrants to arrive, was Ellis Island. In 1892, it became the first federal immigration reception center. Philadelphia was also a hot spot for immigrants because of its mining facilities. Chinese immigrants were also a main part of the flow; however with the enacting of the Chinese Exclusion Act, their flow was soon restricted. All of these people came to these cities with the prospect of work, and starting anew.

Population of the 20 Largest U.S. Cities, 1900-2005 -- Infoplease.com

1800s - Urban Milestones / City Life - 1880s decade -- CUNY.edu

Introduction to Life in The City

Cities as we know them today began their birth in the late 1800s and early 1900s. This period was a time of major industrialization, immigration, and urbanization for the United States. This burst of population created many of the major cities known today. With the rapid growth of the city came many challenges, some of these being a place to live for all these people and the health issues that would come from overcrowded living environments. Due to overcrowding the cities were no longer able to grow wider, so they grew taller. This led to the development of the first skyscrapers, the back drop to many sky lines today. For the wealthy, the over populated living conditions and health concerns forced many to leave the city and move to the suburbs, made possible by the streetcars. Many of Americas’ favorite past times came into existence during this time; people were taking time to enjoy life and each other.

Come take a journey with us through our blog, to explore city life in the early years.

Please see: The Cities by Laura Kueker

Unfortunately, life was not always fresh and clean. Crowded apartments and horrible working conditions brought many hardships to many immigrants. Many of the immigrants were forced to live in tenements, with multiple families living in the same area. Due to the rapid growth, cities had issues with providing basic needs such as clean water and plumping. This lead too many diseases such as diphtheria and cholera.

Please see: Tenements by Marlene Huntsman

Please see: Health Issues by Krystal Antunez

With the city population busting at the seams, there was no other place to go, than up! With the use of steel beams builders were now able to create buildings that reached new heights and that would one day become landmarks to most cities of today.

Please see: Skyscrapers by Twyla Jackson

The over population of the city took its toll on many people. With the fear of unsanitary living conditions, and being tired of the over crowdedness in the city, many middle and upper class people fled the city and began the development of the suburbs. This move was possible because of the streetcar, which allowed this group of people to work in the city, but escape to the suburbs to live.

Please see: Streetcar Neighborhoods by Shannen Rimando

During this time of change, life was stressful for everyone; however people came together and took part in many different activities. Many of today’s activities termed “Americas favorite past time,” were started during the late 1800s and early 1900s. These different activities allowed people from all walks of life to come together and enjoy life.

Please see: Leisure Activites by Kristine Dygert