Opening in 1865, the Union Stockyards became Chicago’s largest industry and one of the city’s top tourist attractions. From the Civil War through the 1920s, more meat was processed here than anywhere in the world. During its height, 40,000 mostly-immigrant workers labored in “the busiest square mile on earth,” where over one million livestock passed monthly, supplying 80% of all U.S. meat. There were over 2,300 livestock pens and 130 miles of railroad within the “Yards.”
You play one of the “Big Five” meatpackers of the era, developing technologies to use every part of the animal while managing worker morale and manipulating the market to your advantage. You earn cash based on your profit margin, which is your meat value minus the livestock cost. Players’ meat values will differ due to your decisions to construct buildings, establish branch houses in eastern cities, or improve your brand reputation. Livestock costs will be adjusted up or down depending on the demand that you create. Whichever packer accumulates the most wealth wins the game.
