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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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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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Episode 811 - One on Every Corner: Four Moon Tavern, Roscoe Village, and the Pencil Factory Strike with writer Leigh Giangreco
Aug. 9, 2025

Episode 811 - One on Every Corner: Four Moon Tavern, Roscoe Village, and the Pencil Factory Strike with writer Leigh Giangreco

Send us a text The return of One on Every Corner, where we discuss a neighborhood drinking establishment, the neighborhood around it, and more. Joining me for this episode is writer Leigh Giangreco and Four Moon Tavern owners Matt Kozlowski and Robbie Lane. @leighgiangreco.bsky.social‬ Four Moon Ta…
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Episode 810 - Chicago: The Loop & Beyond with photographer Nenad Spasojevic
July 25, 2025

Episode 810 - Chicago: The Loop & Beyond with photographer Nenad Spasojevic

Send us a text There is more to Chicago than the Bean, The Loop, and Navy Pier. Joining me in this episode to discuss his photography, what he loves most about Chicago, and the recently-released book "Chicago: The Loop & Beyond" is Nenad Spasojevic. Nenad Spasojevic - https://www.nenadspasojevi…
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FROM THE ARCHIVES - Baby Face Nelson and The Battle of Barrington
July 4, 2025

FROM THE ARCHIVES - Baby Face Nelson and The Battle of Barrington

Send us a text In what was then primarily farmlands 39 miles outside of Chicago, a gun battle erupted between federal law enforcement agents and an outlaw on the run, resulting in chaos and death. This is the story of Baby Face Nelson and The Battle of Barrington. Show some love for the podcast for…
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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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