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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 802 - Chicago Connections: The Jackson Five
Feb. 15, 2025

Episode 802 - Chicago Connections: The Jackson Five

Send us a text While not from here, their connection to this city is undeniable and Chicago’s influence most certainly contributed to their rise as one of the most successful musical acts of all time. Today we’re talking abo…
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Episode 801 - Unchecked Graft: Chicago Mayor William
Feb. 8, 2025

Episode 801 - Unchecked Graft: Chicago Mayor William "Big Bill" Thompson

Send us a text This is a revised, expanded, and re-recorded version of an episode that was originally released in 2020. William "Big Bill" Thompson was a larger-than-life character who served as Chicago mayor for three terms…
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Episode 725 - Chicago's Forgotten Towns, Neighborhoods, and Names, Part 2
Nov. 30, 2024

Episode 725 - Chicago's Forgotten Towns, Neighborhoods, and Names, Part 2

Send us a text An area once called Dunkley’s Grove was considered for a new stadium for the Chicago White Sox, not in old-timey days – in 1986! Was Edison Park named for Thomas Edison? Dunton, Sagone, Hartford… and where was…
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Episode 724 - Chicago Mob Stories - The Handshake Murder of Dean O'Banion
Nov. 10, 2024

Episode 724 - Chicago Mob Stories - The Handshake Murder of Dean O'Banion

Send us a text Show your love of this podcast for the cost of a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/chicagohistory Send me an email with whatever is on your mind: chicagohistorypod AT gmail.com Leave me a voice message - ju…
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Episode 723 - Chicago Horror: The Grimes Sisters Murders
Oct. 26, 2024

Episode 723 - Chicago Horror: The Grimes Sisters Murders

Send us a text Their killings stand out as one of Chicago's most infamous unsolved crimes. Today we’re discussing the Grimes Sisters Murders. Show your love of this podcast for the cost of a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.…
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Episode 722 - Chicago's Forgotten Towns, Neighborhoods, and Names
Oct. 12, 2024

Episode 722 - Chicago's Forgotten Towns, Neighborhoods, and Names

Send us a text Have you ever been to Grossdale? Praha? Maybe Swedetown? How about Gregg's Milk Station? I’m sure you’ve been to Hardscrabble, right? Today we’re discussing Chicago’s Forgotten Towns, Neighborhoods, and Names.…
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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 …

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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 …

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