The club arranged with the city to build a ballpark in the northeast corner of the public park then known as Lake Park , later named Grant Park . The venue was dubbed the '' ' Union Base-Ball Grounds , ' '' and the club was a close contender for the pennant until late in the season . On Sunday , October 8 , the Great Chicago Fire erupted on the near south side and swept northward through the downtown . The wooden ballpark was right in the firestorm 's path , and the grounds and all the team 's equipment and uniforms were consumed
Great Chicago Fire
Great Chicago Fire
History of the Chicago Cubs