The Toddlin Town by Daniel Burnham: Famous Architect

TODDLIN’ TOWN
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In the article, “The Toddlin Town,” Daniel Burnham was a famous architect in Chicago in the mid eighteen nineties. Burnham met with a young architect Frank Lloyd Wright because he was impressed with Wright’s talent at the Ecole des Beaux-arts in Paris France. Burnham wanted to use some seasoning, and decided to pay Wright’s Tuition at the Ecole des Beaux-arts in Paris as an offer to support his family, and later give him a job; however, Wright turned down the offer. It was one of the few times that Burnham, who by then was the most successful power broker in the country, did not get his way. Burnham told Wright he was making a mistake to reject his offer. Beaux Art Style, of which Daniel was a leading promoter, was taking over the country, and Wright was a fool if he thought that his modern approach to design with its horizontal lines, and open spaces would ever amount to much.
Burnham grew up in Chicago and never went to an architectural school. He fell into apprenticeship in the office of William Jenney. He established a firm with John Root, who was a great architect, and Burnham did well at bringing up their business. The firm did well in the construction disaster following the Chicago fire in the year 1871. In the year 1890, the partners retained to advice on the plans for the first World’s Fair in Chicago. Chicago’s World’s Fair was a success because it offered the promise of another kind of urban world known as the ‘white city.’ The fair launched the city’s beautiful movement, monumental museums, courthouse, train stations, and libraries that made the city look back to ancient Rome.
Burnham invited various influential people to his penthouse including Wright and Sullivan. The plan of remaking Chicago was published in a hundred and fifty pages book including maps, and plans in the year 1909. The pictures idealized the large metropolis making it look like an empire. Burnham died at the age of sixty-five in 1912, and he was the great city planner in the country. Frank Lloyd Wright told the audience long after Burnham’s death, “Thanks to Dan Burnham, Chicago seems to be the only great city in our States to have discovered its own waterfront.” Burnham demonstrates how determination can help one bring positive changes and stability to one’s area.
In conclusion, Burnham was the most famous, and respected city planner in the country. Before Burnham, Chicago was a town full of harsh loud noise and congestion. Burnham understood the desire of the public for an environment that would make an enjoyable space for the dull routines of daily life. His style strove for a better social life as well as beauty uplift. Kristen Schaffer, an architectural ...