Chicago History Podcast
Stories from history of the Greatest City in the World - Chicago. The places, events, and the people behind it all.
Episodes
243 episodes
Episode 817 - Chicago's Bloodshot Records with author Rob Miller
Author Rob Miller (one of the founders of Chicago's Bloodshot Records) joins me to discuss his new book, “The Hours Are Long But The Pay Is Low: A Curious Life in Independent Music.”www.robmille...
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Season 8
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Episode 817
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57:35
FROM THE ARCHIVES - Chicago's Mass Transit Decoy Squad of the 1970s plus EXTRAS
Please enjoy this FROM THE ARCHIVES + EXTRAS episode from the summer of 2022.One man was robbed more than 190 times, knocked unconscious at least four times, and had an eardrum burst aboard Chicago’s L, each time with Chicago cops nearby...
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40:23
Episode 816 - Ghosts of the City: Chicago's Unsolved Murders
The Spyglass Murder of Margaret Gallagher, the killing and dismemberment of Judith Mae Andersen, the execution-style murder of Chicago Alderman Ben Lewis, and the roadside disappearance of Tammy Jo Zywicki are all part of this episode on Chicag...
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Season 8
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Episode 816
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1:00:50
Episode 815 - Chicago's Ghoulish Past - Expanded and Re-Recorded
Halloween is coming! Enjoy this episode about Chicago's ghoulish past, including tales of forgotten cemeteries, grave robbers, mob graveyards, and more. Expanded and re-recorded from the original, released Oct. 2020.. Pamela Bannos /...
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Season 8
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Episode 815
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29:44
Episode 814 - Pain Fireworks Company Explosion of 1914, The
Chicago has had its share of bizarre incidents resulting in death, including the Pain Fireworks Company Explosion of 1914.Show your support of the show for the cost of a coffee:
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Season 8
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Episode 814
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35:09
FROM THE ARCHIVES - Mysterious Death of Marshall Field Jr., The
Here's one originally released in August 2021 that you may not have heard. Enjoy.He was the son of one of the wealthiest men in Chicago, and on one fateful night he was shot under mysterious circumstances. Was Marshall Field Jr.'s death ...
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23:36
Episode 813 - Lincoln Park's Statues, Sculptures, and Oddities
If you're planning on walking through Lincoln Park anytime soon, you may be curious about all the statues you'll find. With the help of contributor Connie Fairbanks, we discuss the story behind many of the creations you'll see, and tell you abo...
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Season 8
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Episode 813
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1:02:42
Episode 812 - Chicago's Uptown Theater with author Robert Loerzel
In August of 1925, an opulent cinema opened on Broadway just north of Lawrence Avenue. Joining me today to discuss the history of that theater is Robert Loerzel, one of the authors of the recently released book The Uptown: Chicago's Endanger...
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Season 8
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Episode 812
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51:38
Episode 811 - One on Every Corner: Four Moon Tavern, Roscoe Village, and the Pencil Factory Strike with writer Leigh Giangreco
The return of One on Every Corner, where we discuss a neighborhood drinking establishment, the neighborhood around it, and more. Joining me for this episode is writer Leigh Giangreco and Four Moon Tavern owners Matt Kozlowski and Robbie Lane.
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Season 8
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Episode 811
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34:51
Episode 810 - Chicago: The Loop & Beyond with photographer Nenad Spasojevic
There is more to Chicago than the Bean, The Loop, and Navy Pier. Joining me in this episode to discuss his photography, what he loves most about Chicago, and the recently-released book "Chicago: The Loop & Beyond" is Nenad Spasojevic.
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Season 8
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Episode 810
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27:15
FROM THE ARCHIVES - Baby Face Nelson and The Battle of Barrington
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 The Battle of Barrin...
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28:49
FROM THE ARCHIVES - Herrin Coal Massacre, The
The 103th anniversary of one of the most violent labor battles in the U.S. is June 21-22, 2025. This is the story of the Herrin Coal Massacre of 1922.*Originally released as episode 508 in June 2022.Show some love for the podcast...
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27:04
Episode 809 - Chicago's Fine Arts Building with author Keir Graff
It is a Chicago Landmark called an “exemplification of the cultural, economic, social, and historical heritage of the City of Chicago.” With the help of author Keir Graff, today we’re discussing Chicago’s Fine Arts Building.Chicago's ...
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Season 8
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Episode 809
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49:39
Episode 808 - The Rise and Fall of Chicago’s Brickyards
Chicago is known for industry – stockyards, steel mills, and more, but this city had another that thrived for nearly 150 years. Today we’re discussing the Rise and Fall of Chicago’s Brickyards.Get out and see the city with Will Quam on a...
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Season 8
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Episode 808
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1:05:51
Episode 807 - Chicago's Buckingham Fountain and Queen Elizabeth II's 1959 Visit
Chicago's Buckingham Fountain is being turned on for the season on Saturday, May 10, 2025, so this seems like the perfect time to discuss the history of how the fountain came to be in this enhanced and re-recorded version, with an all-new secti...
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Season 8
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Episode 807
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31:26
Episode 806 - Don't Go with authors Tonika Lewis Johnson and Maria Krysan
Discussing their book "Don't Go: Stories of Segregation and How To Disrupt It" are authors Tonika Lewis Johnson and Maria Krysan.Folded Map Project:https://www.foldedmapproject.co...
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Season 8
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Episode 806
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40:57
FROM THE ARCHIVES - Lincoln Park's High Bridge / Suicide Bridge
ORIGINALLY RELEASED IN OCTOBER 2020.In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Lincoln Park had a “High Bridge” which rose 75 feet over the south lagoon's water. As welcoming to sightseers as the big beautiful bridge was, it also had a dark appe...
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22:27
Episode 805 - Five Pioneering Women of Chicago
It is Women's History Month! Here's a look at five pioneering women in Chicago's history: Chicago founder Kitihawa du Sable, women's suffrage activist Grace Wilbur Trout, Vivian Gordon Harsh, Chicago's first Black librarian, Union activist Rev....
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Season 8
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Episode 805
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39:12
FROM THE ARCHIVES - Police Chief Francis O'Neill, Chicago's Savior of Irish Music
Just in time for St. Patrick's Day 2025, here's a little history about Chicago's connection to preserving Irish music, originally posted in March of 2022.He served as a Chicago policeman for more than 32 years and was Chicago’s chief of ...
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23:13
Episode 804 - Chicago Crime: The Automatic Trio and the Car Barn Murders
Originally released in September of 2021, this episode has been enhanced with additional music and sound effects.Sixteen years before Al Capone came to Chicago and long before anyone could blame violence on video games, three boys just o...
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Season 8
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Episode 804
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25:15
Episode 803 - Illinois' Underground Railroad
For Black Americans seeking to escape enslavement in the first half of the 1800s, Chicago was often an important stop on their path to freedom. Today we’re discussing the Underground Railroad in Illinois.Network to Freedom Listings:
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Season 8
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Episode 803
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46:45
Episode 802 - Chicago Connections: The Jackson Five
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 about the Jackson Five.Show you...
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Season 8
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Episode 802
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49:38
Episode 801 - Unchecked Graft: Chicago Mayor William "Big Bill" Thompson
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 and is viewed as one of the ...
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Season 8
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Episode 801
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36:30
Episode 725 - Chicago's Forgotten Towns, Neighborhoods, and Names, Part 2
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 Cleaverville?Show your ...
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Season 7
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Episode 725
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34:22