Author Mark Guarino 's book "Country and Midwestern: Chicago in the History of Country and the Folk Revival" tells the untold story of the vital role Chicago played in the rise of prewar country music, the folk revival of th…
She was born in Chicago into a wealthy family in the late 1800s and would go on to change the way forensic investigators do their jobs. Today we’re discussing Frances Glessner Lee, The Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Deaths,…
Geoffrey Baer is back to discuss his latest WTTW special "The Most Beautiful Places in Chicago." Show your support of the show for the cost of a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/chicagohistory Leave me a voice message - …
In the late 1920s and early 1930s, the Communist Party in Chicago encouraged black women working in sweat shops to stand up for themselves and strike for better wages, better working conditions, and more. Today we’re talking…
Many towns in the Chicago area were established to be all-white, keeping out blacks, Asians, Jews, Native Americans, and others, allowing minorities to work in those towns but not live there. Those individuals also needed to…
Today's episode comes courtesy of Tony Thaxton, host of " Bizarre Albums ," a podcast devoted to exploring music's weirder side. And let's be honest - The Chicago Bears dancing and rapping? Pretty weird. Support the show for…
One On Every Corner looks at the history of Chicago bars and the neighborhoods that surround them. This episode was recorded at Simon's on Clark Street in Andersonville with Robert Loerzel. Get Out and Enjoy Live Theatre! 17…
The workers were on Lake Michigan, a mile and a half from shore, when the fire started. Today we’re talking about the 71st Street Crib Disaster of 1909. Support the show for the cost of a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com…
Each accused of unrelated murders, two real-life Chicago women in the 1920s use the media to garner support for themselves in order to avoid prison. Their stories inspired one of the longest-running musicals of all time. Chi…
Come check out GMan Tavern for yourself! https://gmantavern.com/ 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 lowe…
Chicago has seen some terrible winter weather over the years, with some of those icy storms bringing the city that works to a screeching halt. Chicago The Musical at the CIBC Theatre: https://www.broadwayinchicago.com/ticket…
Author Connie Fairbanks joins me to discuss her book "Chicago's West Loop: Then and Now." Purchase the book from the author: https://www.conniefairbanks.com/ Amazon link: https://amzn.to/3BzEPxt Chicago The Musical at the CI…
There had never been a murder in Kenilworth, just north of Chicago, until September 18, 1966, when 21-year-old Valerie Percy was slain. If you have information about this crime, please contact the Kenilworth Police Departmen…
Vampires? A Devil-Child? A mobsters coming back from the dead? Only in Chicago. Want to help support the show? Buy me a coffee! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/chicagohistory Leave me a voice message - just click on the microph…
While I'm busy researching the last two episodes of the current season, I didn't want to leave you hanging, so please enjoy episode one of "If The Walls Could Talk," about the tangled history and the true crimes that brought…
More stories from Chicago's Seedy Motel Row. If you haven't listened to the original episode, please do so now. Help support the show for the cost of a cup of coffee! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/chicagohistory Leave me a v…
The rise of motels along Chicago’s landscape brought many things – convenience, freedom, less expensive lodging than fancy hotels downtown – but in some areas, it also brought crime. Today we’re talking about Chicago’s Seedy…
Today I’ve got three Chicago History Mini episodes for you, including the Hoosier Slide, Clara Peller, and G.V. Black Want to help support the show? Buy me a coffee! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/chicagohistory Leave me a voi…
Structures get torn down in Chicago all the time, but what about the buildings that just... become something else? Want to help support the show? Buy me a coffee! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/chicagohistory Leave me a voice …
Extras from episode 513 - Chicago's Mass Transit Decoy Squad of the 1970s. A little more on the 1960s TUF Squad, Jimmy Davern and the Decoy Squad, "Too Pretty To Be A Cop" Virginia Cronk, and two listener calls from relative…
In the second half of the 1960s, a series of explosive devices began showing up on the south side of Chicago, some of them with lethal outcomes. Were these from a series of unrelated pranks or were they the work of a serial …
Rough and tumble doesn't begin to describe Chicago in the 1850s and 1860s. 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 i…
Today we are circling back for another look at the renaming of Chicago! 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 t…
To create a new paradise on Earth, all you have to do is eliminate everyone and start again. This is the story of R.I.S.E. - The Plot To Poison Chicago's Water Supply. Show some love for the podcast for a one-time cost of a …
