They called him “The Oil King” and the “New Rockefeller.” He was charming, generous, the life of the party, and by all appearances, an astute businessman. But was it all too good to be true? This is the story of Leo Koretz, C...
Like something out of a Michael Bay movie, a crash in downtown Chicago became America’s first civil aviation catastrophe. Today we’re discussing the Wingfoot Express Air Disaster of 1919. To Kill A Mockingbird , coming to Chi...
It is one of the most popular tourist destinations not only in Chicago but in all of Illinois, although its use has changed numerous times since it was built more than 100 years ago. Today we’re talking about the history of N...
They were some of the biggest comic actors of their time, influencing comedians for generations to come. Today we’re talking about the Marx Brothers in Chicago. We’ll also talk about what happened to some of the places the Ma...
It has been called “eighty acres of Hell” and was one of the deadliest Confederate prisons of the Civil War. Today’s we’re talking about Chicago’s Notorious Camp Douglas. Show some love for the podcast for the cost of a cup o...
It was a two BILLION dollar catastrophe without a single fatality that brought portions of the city to a standstill. Today’s we’re talking about the Great Chicago Flood of 1992. Show some love for the podcast for the cost of ...
She worked on John F. Kennedy’s presidential campaign, was guided through Chicago politics by Richard J. Daley, and became the first female mayor of Chicago. Today we’re discussing Jane Byrne, whose story is part of the upcom...
45 years ago, one of the most horrifying transportation accidents in Chicago happened downtown at the height of rush hour. This is the story of the CTA Derailment of 1977. Show some love for the podcast for the cost of a cup ...
He served as a Chicago policeman for more than 32 years and was Chicago’s chief of police for four, but Francis O’Neill is probably better known for his efforts in preserving the music of his homeland. Today we’re talking abo...
It was called “The Madhouse on Madison” and had the reputation as being “The Loudest Arena in the NBA,” but this venue hosted much more than just some of the most memorable sports events in the city’s history and had an unusu...
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 T...
Chicago's Black-Owned Record Labels (Part Two) looks at Rhumboogie Records, a short-lived label in the 1940s, and Vee-Jay Records, credited with introducing records by The Beatles to America. Special guest: author John F. Lyo...
Some of the most successful record companies headed by African Americans over the last century were started right here in the greatest city in the world. Today we’re discussing Chicago’s Black-Owned Record Labels (Part One). ...
The World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893 showcased the people and cultures from 46 countries on 690 acres of land south of downtown Chicago a little more than 20 years after the Great Fire of 1871 decimated the city. 27 milli...
It started out as a search for info about his ancestors and turned into a book detailing one Illinois infantry’s involvement in the war that pit the United States of America against the Confederate States of America. This is ...
In 1855, when city policies in Chicago threatened to interfere with livelihood of German and Irish immigrant saloon owners and the consumption of beer by immigrants on their one day off, a full-on uprising was not far behind....
In 1988, two attractive young students attending a prominent suburban Chicago religious school disappeared, setting off a frenzied search that lasted months before the truth about what happened to them was revealed. Enjoy the...
In the late 1940s and well into the 1950s, Chicago was plagued by fires that had one key thing in common – they took place at often unsafe, downtrodden hotels, injuring and even killing those who were already down on their lu...
It is the venue by the lake that has hosted music concerts, religious events, civil rights protests, sports competitions, and much more for nearly 100 years. In this episode we tackle Soldier Field. Show some love for the pod...
It is without a doubt one of the most amazing urban-built waterfronts anywhere, and it is right here in Chicago. In their book Lakefront: Public Trust and Private Rights in Chicago , authors Joseph D. Kearney and Thomas W. Me...
Her last name is well known around the city, but do you know the story behind Chicago's Saint, Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini? Listen and learn, Chicago history fans! Show some love for the podcast for the cost of a cup of cof...
Chicago Tribune writer Rick Kogan called Mother Chicago: Truant Dreams and Specters Over the Gilded Age “one of the most revelatory, provocative, frightening books I've ever read about Chicago." In this episode, I talk with t...
On October 20, 1974, one of the biggest heists in U.S. history happened here in Chicago. This is the story of the Great Purolator Armored Express Heist. Chi-Outreach Holiday Gift-Away - Make a difference this holiday to those...
An EXTRAS episode - a few more stories about The Beatles in Chicago from John F. Lyons, author of "Joy and Fear: The Beatles, Chicago and The 1960s" that didn't make the original episode (#314). Be sure to check out that one ...
