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Chicago History Podcast

From theater, music, sports, and architecture to true crime, disasters and the people behind it all, we discuss Chicago history and learn a little bit more about the greatest city in the world.

Recent Episodes

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Episode 816 - Ghosts of the City: Chicago's Unsolved Murders
Oct. 25, 2025

Episode 816 - Ghosts of the City: Chicago's Unsolved Murders

Send us a text The Spyglass Murder of Margaret Gallagher, the killing and dismemberment of Judith Mae Andersen, the execution-style murder of Chicago Alderman Ben Lewis, and the roadside disappearance of Tammy Jo Zywicki are all part of this episode on Chicago's unsolved murders. Want to help suppo…
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Episode 815 - Chicago's Ghoulish Past - Expanded and Re-Recorded
Oct. 10, 2025

Episode 815 - Chicago's Ghoulish Past - Expanded and Re-Recorded

Send us a text Halloween is coming! Enjoy this episode about Chicago's ghoulish past, including tales of forgotten cemeteries, grave robbers, mob graveyards, and more. Expanded and re-recorded from the original, released Oct. 2020.. Pamela Bannos / Hidden Truths: https://hiddentruths.northwestern.e…
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Episode 814 - Pain Fireworks Company Explosion of 1914, The
Sept. 27, 2025

Episode 814 - Pain Fireworks Company Explosion of 1914, The

Send us a text Chicago has had its share of bizarre incidents resulting in death, including the Pain Fireworks Company Explosion of 1914. Show your support of the show for the cost of a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/chicagohistory Leave me a voice message - just click on the microphone in th…
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FROM THE ARCHIVES -
Sept. 12, 2025

FROM THE ARCHIVES -

Send us a text Here's one originally released in August 2021 that you may not have heard. Enjoy. He was the son of one of the wealthiest men in Chicago, and on one fateful night he was shot under mysterious circumstances. Was Marshall Field Jr.'s death an accident or something much darker that was …
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Episode 813 - Lincoln Park's Statues, Sculptures, and Oddities
Aug. 29, 2025

Episode 813 - Lincoln Park's Statues, Sculptures, and Oddities

Send us a text If you're planning on walking through Lincoln Park anytime soon, you may be curious about all the statues you'll find. With the help of contributor Connie Fairbanks, we discuss the story behind many of the creations you'll see, and tell you about the ones that were once there but are…
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Episode 812 - Chicago's Uptown Theater with author Robert Loerzel
Aug. 15, 2025

Episode 812 - Chicago's Uptown Theater with author Robert Loerzel

Send us a text In August of 1925, an opulent cinema opened on Broadway just north of Lawrence Avenue. Joining me today to discuss the history of that theater is Robert Loerzel, one of the authors of the recently released book The Uptown: Chicago's Endangered Movie Palace. https://www.robertloerzel.…
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Recent Blog Posts

Episode 611 - Frances Glessner Lee, The Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death, and Crime Scene Investigation
March 19, 2023

Episode 611 - Frances Glessner Lee, The Nutshell Studies of Unexplain…

You can view a full-sized model of Frances Glessner Lee's "Dark Bathroom" nutshell for free on Fridays and Saturdays from 11:00am to 4:00pm through Friday, April 14, 2023 at Glessner House. Details here: https://www.glessnerhouse.org/ For more abou…

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Episode 608 - Sundown Towns of Chicago
Feb. 18, 2023

Episode 608 - Sundown Towns of Chicago

Honestly, I have enough to do a second and possibly a third episode addressing the many areas in and around Chicago that tried their hardest (and often succeeded) in keeping Black American families from settling there. Here's more from my guest host…

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New Episodes Coming Soon!
Nov. 24, 2022

New Episodes Coming Soon!

I neglected to mention at the end of season five of the Chicago History Podcast that I would be taking a little break. The good news is I'll be back soon with new stories about the Greatest City in The World. Thanks for listening, for your support,…

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Reviews

Great and often unknown Chicago Stories

"This is a wonderful collection of Chicago history, well presented and produced. I just started listening and am happy to have many episodes to explore."

squirehogg | Sept. 5, 2024

CHP

"Great insight and format, very informative and still interesting stories. And that Mr. Henry, quite the sexy voice."

Smkt747 | Feb. 7, 2025
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