In the late 1800s and early 1900s, a familiar sight near the river and Clark Street was the Rouse Simmons, also known as The Christmas Tree Ship, and its captain Herman Schuenemann, who became known to families as Captain San...
In November of 1990, a film about a young boy accidentally left at home at Christmas who defends his house against burglars became a worldwide sensation. This is the story of Home Alone . #HomeAlone #JohnHughes #JohnCandy #Ma...
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 the 110-story Sears Tower, which at tha...
In this episode we'll cover a holiday story from Chicago's past and then welcome a special guest - Amanda Scotese, founder of Chicago Detours. Chicago Detours has entertained and educated tens of thousands of tourists and loc...
For a city long defined by fire, nothing could have prepared Chicago for the tragedy at the Catholic grade school Our Lady of the Angels on December 1, 1958. Chicago Fire Commissioner Robert Quinn may have summed things up mo...
Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood is home to many beautiful homes, including ones in an area called Beer Baron Row. In this episode we discuss how this name came about and the murder of John Henry Raap, a prominent German Am...
In this episode we talk with WTTW's Geoffrey Baer and Eddie Griffin about their new project, Chicago From The Air , which takes audiences on a bird’s eye tour of Chicago’s landmarks, neighborhoods, and suburbs, shot entirely ...
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 ...
A hitchhiking ghost, walking along a lonely stretch of road in a white dress on her way to a cemetery. To many Chicagoans, the mere mention of the name "Resurrection Mary" will give the listener chills. Was there a Mary? If s...
Halloween is coming! Enjoy this episode about Chicago's ghoulish past, including tales of forgotten cemeteries, grave robbers, mob graveyards, and more. Love the podcast? Leave us a review! https://lovethepodcast.com/chicagoh...
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Lincoln Park had a “High Bridge” which rose 75 feet over the south lagoon water. As much appeal to sightseers as the big beautiful bridge had, it also had a dark appeal, quickly earning it t...
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 prison for the crime, but did prosecutors get the right men? 11 years later, ...
The Ferris Wheel, a marvel of engineering, first appeared at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893. This is the story of what happened to the wheel after the fair closed. Chicago History Podcast Clothing, Mugs, ...
Not long after The Beatles invaded America and kids everywhere picked up guitars and drumsticks and formed their own bands, enterprising individuals all over Chicago and the suburbs saw… opportunity. This is the story of Chic...
On this episode we discuss a few things you may not know about Labor Day and Chicago’s role in how Labor Day as a holiday came to be. Additional Reading (your purchase using the links below helps support the podcast): Death i...
Provident Hospital, the first owned-and-operated African American hospital not just in Chicago but in the country, Dr. Daniel Hale Williams, the African American surgeon who performed the first open-heart surgery, and Emma Re...
That beautiful fountain on Columbus Drive that you see when driving on Lake Shore Drive has an amazing history behind it. This is the story of the Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain, Clarence's sister Kate, and Edward H. B...
This is the story of "Big Bill" Thompson, a bigger-than-life character who served as Chicago mayor for three terms and is viewed as one of the most corrupt politicians Chicago has ever seen. Further reading (purchasing these ...
In 1962, three of the country's top entertainers traveled to a venue at 2855 N. Milwaukee Ave. near Northbrook to perform for a who's who of Mafia notables. This is the story of Villa Venice. Additional Reading (your purchase...
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 movies and their history in the Chicagoland area. Addition...
Six years after the closing of the World's Fair of 1893, on 10 acres near the University of Chicago, a new outdoor entertainment venue opened called Sans Souci. Sans Souci and Midway Gardens, although all but forgotten, paved...
It should have been a fun day of picnicking for workers at a local company but it quickly turned into chaos and death in the Chicago river in what is one of the worst accidents and loss of life on the Great Lakes. This is the...
Jay's Foods - from humble beginnings to becoming a snack food empire, their Jay's Potato Chips have been a longtime favorite created here in Chicago. This is the story of founder Leonard Japp's rise to the top. Chicago Histor...
The building looks like a castle and includes a history of bombs (both literal and theatrical ones), fine dining, fires, award-winning plays, extortion, and many other ups and downs over an 80-year history. Listen to learn mo...
