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Episodes

Feb. 11, 2023

Episode 607 - Bizarre Singles - The Super Bowl Shuffle

Today's episode comes courtesy of Tony Thaxton, host of " Bizarre Albums ," a podcast devoted to exploring music's weirder side. And let's be honest - The Chicago Bears dancing and rapping? Pretty weird. Support the show for…
Feb. 4, 2023

Episode 606 - One On Every Corner: Simon's Tavern with Robert Loerzel

One On Every Corner looks at the history of Chicago bars and the neighborhoods that surround them. This episode was recorded at Simon's on Clark Street in Andersonville with Robert Loerzel. Get Out and Enjoy Live Theatre! 17…
Jan. 14, 2023

Episode 605 - 71st Street Crib Fire of 1909, The

The workers were on Lake Michigan, a mile and a half from shore, when the fire started. Today we’re talking about the 71st Street Crib Disaster of 1909. Support the show for the cost of a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com…
Jan. 7, 2023

Episode 604 - "Chicago" - The History Behind The Musical

Each accused of unrelated murders, two real-life Chicago women in the 1920s use the media to garner support for themselves in order to avoid prison. Their stories inspired one of the longest-running musicals of all time. Chi…
Dec. 31, 2022

Episode 603 - Best of Chicago History Trivia Night at GMan Tavern

Come check out GMan Tavern for yourself! https://gmantavern.com/ Want to help support the show? Buy me a coffee! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/chicagohistory Leave me a voice message - just click on the microphone in the lowe…
Dec. 24, 2022

Episode 602 - Chicago's History of Blizzards

Chicago has seen some terrible winter weather over the years, with some of those icy storms bringing the city that works to a screeching halt. Chicago The Musical at the CIBC Theatre: https://www.broadwayinchicago.com/ticket…
Dec. 17, 2022

Episode 601 - Chicago's West Loop with author Connie Fairbanks

Author Connie Fairbanks joins me to discuss her book "Chicago's West Loop: Then and Now." Purchase the book from the author: https://www.conniefairbanks.com/ Amazon link: https://amzn.to/3BzEPxt Chicago The Musical at the CI…
Oct. 29, 2022

Episode 525 - Horror on the North Shore: The Murder of Valerie Percy

There had never been a murder in Kenilworth, just north of Chicago, until September 18, 1966, when 21-year-old Valerie Percy was slain. If you have information about this crime, please contact the Kenilworth Police Departmen…
Oct. 22, 2022

Episode 524 - Chicago's Ghoulish Past, Part 2

Vampires? A Devil-Child? A mobsters coming back from the dead? Only in Chicago. Want to help support the show? Buy me a coffee! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/chicagohistory Leave me a voice message - just click on the microph…
Oct. 15, 2022

BONUS EPISODE - If The Walls Could Talk

While I'm busy researching the last two episodes of the current season, I didn't want to leave you hanging, so please enjoy episode one of "If The Walls Could Talk," about the tangled history and the true crimes that brought…
Oct. 8, 2022

EXTRAS - Episode 523 - Chicago's Seedy Motel Row

More stories from Chicago's Seedy Motel Row. If you haven't listened to the original episode, please do so now. Help support the show for the cost of a cup of coffee! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/chicagohistory Leave me a v…
Oct. 1, 2022

Episode 523 - Chicago's Seedy Motel Row

The rise of motels along Chicago’s landscape brought many things – convenience, freedom, less expensive lodging than fancy hotels downtown – but in some areas, it also brought crime. Today we’re talking about Chicago’s Seedy…
Sept. 24, 2022

Episode 522 - Chicago History Minis - Hoosier Slide, Clara Peller, and G.V. Black

Today I’ve got three Chicago History Mini episodes for you, including the Hoosier Slide, Clara Peller, and G.V. Black Want to help support the show? Buy me a coffee! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/chicagohistory Leave me a voi…
Sept. 17, 2022

Episode 521 - Repurposed Buildings of Chicago

Structures get torn down in Chicago all the time, but what about the buildings that just... become something else? Want to help support the show? Buy me a coffee! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/chicagohistory Leave me a voice …
Sept. 13, 2022

EXTRAS - Episode 513 - Chicago's Mass Transit Decoy Squad of the 1970s

Extras from episode 513 - Chicago's Mass Transit Decoy Squad of the 1970s. A little more on the 1960s TUF Squad, Jimmy Davern and the Decoy Squad, "Too Pretty To Be A Cop" Virginia Cronk, and two listener calls from relative…
Sept. 10, 2022

Episode 520 - Goldblatt's and the South Chicago Bomber

In the second half of the 1960s, a series of explosive devices began showing up on the south side of Chicago, some of them with lethal outcomes. Were these from a series of unrelated pranks or were they the work of a serial …
Sept. 3, 2022

Episode 519 - Hairtrigger Block - Debauchery and Murder in Chicago

Rough and tumble doesn't begin to describe Chicago in the 1850s and 1860s. Want to help support the show? Buy me a coffee! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/chicagohistory Leave me a voice message - just click on the microphone i…
Aug. 27, 2022

Episode 518 - Renaming Streets, Places, and Other Things in Chicago Part 3

Today we are circling back for another look at the renaming of Chicago! Want to help support the show? Buy me a coffee! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/chicagohistory Leave me a voice message - just click on the microphone in t…
Aug. 20, 2022

Episode 517 - R.I.S.E. - The Plot To Poison Chicago's Water Supply

To create a new paradise on Earth, all you have to do is eliminate everyone and start again. This is the story of R.I.S.E. - The Plot To Poison Chicago's Water Supply. Show some love for the podcast for a one-time cost of a …
Aug. 13, 2022

Episode 516 - Chicago Zoo Stories: Binti Jua Saves A Child

1996 was a crazy year. Hurricanes, plane explosions, Olympic bombings - maybe that's why the story of a gorilla saving a child near Chicago was so popular. Show some love for the podcast for the cost of a cup of coffee and h…
Aug. 6, 2022

Episode 515 - Best of Chicago History Podcast Trivia Night

There was a LIVE Chicago History Podcast Trivia Night on August 2, 2022, and I have edited a handful of questions and answers from that event for your enjoyment. Keep track in your head how many questions you get right. Look…
July 30, 2022

Episode 514 - Chicago's Secret Mermaid & Urban Beachcombing with Christine Solorio

Today we’re talking about the Secret Mermaid of the Lakeshore, and later we’ll be talking to Christine Solorio, an urban beach comber based here in Chicago. Show some love for the podcast for the cost of a cup of coffee and …
July 23, 2022

Episode 513 - Chicago's Mass Transit Decoy Squad of the 1970s

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 watching, all in the name of public transportation safety. This…
July 16, 2022

Episode 512 - Chicago Hot Dogs

It is one of the most-consumed food items in the Windy City - today we're talking Chicago hot dogs. Jesus Christ Superstar at the Cadillac Palace Theatre (July 19-31, 2022): https://www.broadwayinchicago.com/show/jesus-chris…