This Massachusetts native was born in Fairhaven, MA this week in 1832. Jenny is known as the father of the American Skyscraper.  His career as an architect began during his service as an engineering officer during the Civil War where he designed and constructed fortifications at Shiloh, Vicksburg and Corinth.  After the Civil War he arrived in Chicago in 1867 where he was instrumental in a progressive new urban development, which employed the use of large boulevards and expansive parks giving Chicago its unique look, which can be observed, in the plans he drew for boulevards like Douglas, Garfield and Humboldt park.  It would not be his achievements on the ground that he would most be remembered for in so much as indelible footprint on the Chicago skyline.  Using an innovative steel skeleton design Jenny was able to design and construct the first building to ever reach a height of 16 stories.  His radical design, literally, ushered in new heights in urban development. 

*posted Sept 19 - Sept 23, 2005