Chicago History Podcast
Stories from history of the Greatest City in the World - Chicago. The places, events, and the people behind it all.
Episodes
219 episodes since 2020
Episode 721 - The Black Sox Scandal of 1919 with WTTW's Eddie Griffin
WTTW's Eddie Griffin is back to discuss one of Chicago's darkest sports stories - the Black Sox Scandal of 1919.The new season of Chicago Stories begins September 20th.https...
September 15, 2024
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Season 7
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Episode 721
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32:43
Episode 720 - Malört: A Truly Chicago Booze with author Josh Noel
Anthony Bourdain tasted the wormwood-infused liquor Malört for his TV show “The Layover” and said, “its brash nature" created “a possibility that I could get all stabby and belligerent.” Today we're talking about Malört, the truly Chicago booze...
September 08, 2024
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Season 7
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Episode 720
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31:04
Episode 719 - Mike Royko: The Toughest Man in Chicago with writer / actor Mitchell Bisschop
This episode's guest is Mitchell Bisschop, who wrote and stars in the play "Royko: The Toughest Man in Chicago," which runs Sept. 5-29, 2024, at the Chopin Theatre. Mitchell and I discuss celebrated newspaper columnist Mike Royko, Chicago newsp...
August 31, 2024
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Season 7
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Episode 719
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38:49
Episode 718 - Dr. Edward Holmes and the Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary with Connie Fairbanks
He arrived in Chicago from Boston in the mid-1800s and set up an Eye and Ear Infirmary to help those in need. Hear the story of Dr. Edward Lorenzo Holmes and his efforts to help the less fortunate in Chicago.West Loop: Then and N...
August 24, 2024
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Season 7
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Episode 718
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28:49
FROM THE ARCHIVES - Mysterious Death of Montgomery Ward Thorne, The
He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, but when this Chicago-born department store heir died mysteriously at the age of 20, things really got weird. #ChicagoHistory #MontgomeryWard #MysteriousDeath #Wards #DepartmentStores #TrueC...
August 17, 2024
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26:13
Episode 717 - Chicago's Little Saigon with author Erica Allen-Kim
Chinese entrepreneurs in the 1970s as well as refugees from Vietnam and Cambodia transformed an area on the city’s north side by opening restaurants, bakeries, pharmacies, and social service agencies. Today we’re discussing Chicago’s Little Sai...
August 10, 2024
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Season 7
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Episode 717
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47:56
FROM THE ARCHIVES - Navy Pier
Planning to visit Navy Pier this summer? Here is the history of one of the most popular tourist destinations not only in Chicago but in all of Illinois.* Written and recorded before FlyOver Chicago was installedShow some love fo...
August 03, 2024
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24:58
FROM THE ARCHIVES - Earle T. Cook and the Airplane Bombing
For you fans of true crime stories, here's an episode from January 2021.He was a manager at a Coca-Cola bottling plant, married, with two teenage sons living the good life in suburban Naperville, IL in 1967. When a bomb exploded aboard ...
July 13, 2024
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23:39
Episode 716 - Chicago's Motor Speedways
Long before NASCAR came to Chicago, this town had races, racers, and racetracks. Today we're talking about Chicago's Motor Speedways.Show your support of the show for the cost of a coffee:
July 06, 2024
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Season 7
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Episode 716
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37:45
Episode 715 - The Outrage of Danny Sotomayor with WTTW's Dan Andries
Danny Sotomayor, a fiery, openly gay AIDS activist, was a man on a mission. Today we discuss Sotomayor with Dan Andries, the writer and producer of the WTTW documentary "The Outrage of Danny Sotomayor."The Outrage of Danny Sotoma...
June 24, 2024
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Season 7
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Episode 715
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26:32
FROM THE ARCHIVES - Old Chicago Amusement Park
It was an innovative idea in its day - a 200 store indoor shopping center 35 miles outside of Chicago with a 31-ride amusement park in the middle. Unfortunately, once you throw in costly delays, waning attendance, lackluster store selection, co...
June 15, 2024
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21:45
Episode 714 - Rondout Train Robbery of 1924, The
It is the largest train robbery in U.S. history, and it occurred just 32 miles north of Chicago. Hear how the Rondout Train Robbery unfolded 100 years ago in June 1924.Show your support of the show for the cost of a coffee:
June 08, 2024
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Season 7
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Episode 714
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29:47
FROM THE ARCHIVES - U-505 German Submarine in Chicago, The
It was one of the defining moments for the United States during World War II - the capture of a German U-boat on the Atlantic Ocean. Hear the story and the event's many Chicago connections before the 80th anniversary of the event (June 4, 1944)...
June 01, 2024
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27:42
Episode 713 - Chicago's World War II POW Camps
Captured World War II enemy combatants were often brought back to the United States to be housed in facilities across the country, including here in Illinois. Today we’re discussing Chicago’s World War II POW Camps.Show your support ...
May 25, 2024
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Season 7
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Episode 713
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31:59
Episode 712 - Wrigley Field: The Diamond on the Northside
It is one of the oldest original ballparks in the country, and with that lengthy run is an interesting history as well. Hear all about the area before the ballpark was even built and much more.Show your support of the show for the co...
May 18, 2024
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Season 7
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Episode 712
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31:37
Episode 711 - Chicago's Irish History: The Murder of Dr. Patrick Henry Cronin
His funeral was the largest in Chicago since that of Abraham Lincoln. Who was Dr. Patrick Henry Cronin, and how did his connection to secret Irish organizations lead to his murder?Show your support of the show for the cost of a coffe...
May 11, 2024
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Season 7
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Episode 711
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33:59
FROM THE ARCHIVES - 16 Inch Softball in Chicago
No sport is more closely identified with Chicago than 16-inch softball. Enjoy the history of 16" softball along with some insights about the game from a few guys who know it best - the 16" Softball Hall of Fame co-founder Al Maag, Hall of Fame ...
May 04, 2024
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25:04
FROM THE ARCHIVES - Soldier Field
With all the talk of the Chicago Bears plans for a new stadium by the lake, it seemed like a good time to revisit this episode about the Bears' current home, Soldier Field.Show some love for the podcast for the cost of a cup of coffe...
April 27, 2024
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25:50
Episode 710 - Chicago Mysteries with Geoffrey Baer
Friend of the podcast Geoffrey Baer is BACK with a new special on WTTW called "Chicago Mysteries." Listen as Geoffrey and I discuss a few of the stories from the program.https://www.wttw.com/myst...
April 13, 2024
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Season 7
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Episode 710
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34:33
FROM THE ARCHIVES - Chicago's Teen Rock Clubs of the 1960s
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 Chicago's Teen Rock Clu...
April 06, 2024
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22:59
Episode 709 - Chicago's Parks - Five Named for Notable Women
Connie Fairbanks, author of "Chicago's West Loop: Then and Now," joins me on this episode as co-writer and co-host as we discuss five Chicago parks named for women.Purchase Connie Fairbanks' book "Chicago's West Loop: Then and Now" f...
March 30, 2024
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Season 7
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Episode 709
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35:14
FROM THE ARCHIVES - Jane Addams and Hull House
She grew up in a small town in Illinois in the late 1800s and became known worldwide as an activist, reformer, and winner of a Nobel Peace Prize. This is the story of Jane Addams and Hull House.Want to help support the show? Buy Me A...
March 23, 2024
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20:31
Episode 708 - Forgotten Sisters author Cynthia Pelayo
Local author Cynthia Pelayo's new book masterfully blends dark Chicago history and fairy-tale horrors. Listen as the author and I discuss her life growing up in Chicago and her exciting new book about two sisters and a killer dumping men into t...
March 16, 2024
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Season 7
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Episode 708
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28:39
FROM THE ARCHIVES - Chicago's Saint - Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini
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 coffee a...
March 09, 2024
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22:59
Episode 707 - Chicago History Minis: Chicago's First Murder, An Egyptian Museum Theft, and Spuds MacKenzie
Three! Three! Three episodes in one! Enjoy.Show your support of the show for the cost of a coffee:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/chicagohistoryLeave me a voic...
March 02, 2024
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Season 7
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Episode 707
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33:59