Why did St Louis decline into irrelevancy while Chicago ascended?
>inb4 nigs
Both experience white flight during the 50s

>>17913331 (OP)
Both are shitholes

>>17913331 (OP)
Sea access

>>17913469
This. Chicago is a sea port. Like there are exceptions of course, but 99% of major cities Pre railways and 90% post are seaports.

Chicago grew with the railroads while St. Louis declined as river traffic on the Mississippi became less important. There’s still a shitload of midwestern agricultural produce on the Mississippi but it just floats on barges right by St. Louis with little economic impact. Despite Chicago having access to the Atlantic don’t think ocean shipping is very important. So many railroads come through there and while railroads are less important now, that’s what built the city. W8