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
Episode 611 - Frances Glessner Lee, The Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death, and Crime Scene Investigation
March 18, 2023
She was born in Chicago into a wealthy family in the late 1800s and would go on to change the way forensic investigators do their jobs. Today we’re discussing Frances Glessner Lee, The Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Deaths,…
Episode 610 - The Most Beautiful Places in Chicago with Geoffrey Baer
March 4, 2023
Geoffrey Baer is back to discuss his latest WTTW special "The Most Beautiful Places in Chicago." Show your support of the show for the cost of a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/chicagohistory Leave me a voice message - …
Episode 609 - Black Women's Worker Strikes of the 1930s with author Melissa A. Ford
Feb. 25, 2023
In the late 1920s and early 1930s, the Communist Party in Chicago encouraged black women working in sweat shops to stand up for themselves and strike for better wages, better working conditions, and more. Today we’re talking…
Episode 608 - Sundown Towns of Chicago with Ernest Crim III
Feb. 18, 2023
Many towns in the Chicago area were established to be all-white, keeping out blacks, Asians, Jews, Native Americans, and others, allowing minorities to work in those towns but not live there. Those individuals also needed to…
Episode 607 - Bizarre Singles - The Super Bowl Shuffle
Feb. 11, 2023
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…
Episode 606 - One On Every Corner: Simon's Tavern with Robert Loerzel
Feb. 4, 2023
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…
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Recent Blog Posts
Nutshell Studies
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 Frida…
#SundownTowns
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 s…
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…