In October 1960, Prince Akihito of Japan visited Chicago for 21 hours. Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley presented the prince with a diplomatic gift: 18 bluegill. What happened next would change the underwater world of Japan for...
A holiday-themed episode from 2020. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, a familiar sight near the river at Clark Street was the Rouse Simmons, also known as The Christmas Tree Ship, and its captain Herman Schuenemann, who beca...
Geoffrey Baer is back on the podcast to discuss his latest program for WTTW - The Most Beautiful Places in Chicago 2. https://interactive.wttw.com/most-beautiful-places-in-chicago Show your support of the show for the cost of...
With the recent crash of a Yellow Line L train into a snow removal machine (?), it seems like a good time to repost this episode. In the 1970s, one of the most horrifying transportation accidents in Chicago happened downtown ...
In May of 1970, those driving past Wrigley Field were greeted with an unusual sight – a Native American teepee, surrounded by smaller tents and groups of people. This was just the beginning of the Native American protests in ...
Women and poison. Chicago's history is thick with these killers. Want to help support the show? Buy me a coffee! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/chicagohistory Leave me a voice message - just click on the microphone in the lower...
He was an African American performer who went from humble beginnings to become a huge movie star based on a single character, but soon his Hollywood standing, his personal fortunes, and his acceptance by fellow Blacks collaps...
This story of sibling rivalries, suicides, arson, missing heiresses, and murder was originally presented at a members-only event at the Chicago History Museum . Thanks to my co-writer and co-host for this episode, Anna Mason ...
It was a Civil War prison in Richmond, VA, housing thousands of Union soldiers captured during that war. After the war, someone thought the building would make a good tourist attraction in… Chicago. This is the story of the L...
Producer Eddie Griffin and I are discussing the new season of Chicago Stories on WTTW. The new season of Chicago Stories begins September 22, 2023 at 8pm on WTTW. Watch online at wttw.com/chicagostories For the cost of a cup ...
The true Chicago crime story that inspired the film "Call Northside 777." On a cold day in 1932, a Chicago cop named William Lundy was gunned down at a speakeasy in the Back of the Yards neighborhood. Two men were sent to pri...
This really could have been a six or eight-part podcast experience as there is SO MUCH Polish history in Chicago. Here are more things of interest regarding this subject. Enjoy. Chicago's Taste of Polonia Fest (Sept. 1-4, 202...
FROM THE ARCHIVES from October, 2020: On Memorial Day, May 25th, 1981, a 25-year-old year old sport climber dressed as comic book hero Spider-Man used a system of suction cups and other climbing gear to scale the outside of t...
In the summer of 1980, two new large entertainment venues, one indoor and one outdoor, opened in the Chicago area at which those seeking amusement could see live music and more. Both of those and many others made for a busy s...
It is the 30th anniversary of one of the BEST action films shot in the Greatest City in the World, so today Kelli from Chicago Movie Tours and I are talking about all things "The Fugitive" in Chicago. The train derailment sce...
An archive episode from way back in August 2020. Enjoy! There was a time you could sit in your car and watch a movie on a giant screen. Crazy, I know. Wait - what? Drive-ins still exist? In this episode we discuss drive-in mo...
I had the pleasure of speaking with local author Jessica Mlinaric about her book Chicago Scavenger: The Ultimate Search for Chicago's Hidden Treasures. Have a listen, and get a copy of the book for yourself! Chicago Scavenger...
The Chicago area has seen many weather events that have resulted in catastrophic destruction and death. Today's we're discussing Chicago's Terrifying Tornadoes. Show your support of the show for the cost of a coffee: https://...
Chicago introduced the first ever Ferris Wheel at the World's Fair of 1893, but... whatever happened to it? Listen for the full story. Want to help support the show? Buy me a coffee! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/chicagohistor...
With Chicago air quality ranging from "Unhealthy" to "Very Unhealthy" to "Downright Unbreathable" most of this week, I thought I'd drag out this episode from the archives. During a time of tuberculosis and cholera taking a de...
A little more from the Archie's interview and GOOD NEWS for fans of vintage signs in Chicago. Archie's Bar: https://www.facebook.com/ArchiesBar Show your support of the show for the cost of a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee....
A family-run corner bar in Humboldt Park celebrating 80 years of being in business? One location, yet so many stories. Guest host: Tyler Henry Archie's Bar: https://www.facebook.com/ArchiesBar Show your support of the show fo...
Special guest Mike McMains (Tours with Mike) helps me break down the history of Chicago LGBTQ Pride Events. Enjoy! See the city in an all new way on a Tours with Mike tour! https://tourswithmike.com/ Show your support of the ...
