What was Chicago's nickname before "The windy city"?

I'm going to change my answer and say PackingTown.

Hog Butcher to the World comes from Sandburg so it must be later.

No sorry Aminator, looking for something else.

It was known as the Garden City for awhile... funny because it was more of a swamp.

You got it Aminator. Source

Whether or not it was dubbed the Windy City for its politicians or for the boasting of people from Chicago, there is no doubt that at certain times of year this city is almost unbearable due to the slicing cold wind off the lake. It is also a nice air conditioner for the city in the summer (can be 10 degrees cooler within a mile of the lake than inland), but anyone that has had to walk to work towards the lake every day in the fall, winter or early spring can attest to the name being about the wind itself and not the politicians... it is brutal.

I have been unable to walk into the wind (and even gone backwards) on several occasions. And then just try to sit in Wrigley Field in April... yikes it's a cold wind off the lake.