In 1885, the Home Insurance Building in Chicago officially opened its doors. While modest by modern sensibilities -a mere 138 feet- it was the precursor of America's great skyscraper boom. Over the next 50 years, the United States would erect these "cathedrals of commerce" in nearly every major American city. These skyscrapers would come to symbolize the entrepreneurial spirit and bold vision of a confident, growing nation. Today, many of these skyscrapers have become globally iconic.
The list below represents my subjective opinion of the 100 greatest early skyscrapers in the United States. These skyscrapers are either iconic for their height, their size, their details, their form, or their presence in the communities they call home. 45 are in New York, and a further 16 in Chicago, a testament to both cities' immense role in shaping what we today call the modern city. But smaller cities - Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Tulsa - are also blessed.
So, how many have you seen?
