Episodes

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 the way for outdoor entertainment for generations to come. Chicago History Podcast (chicagohistorypod@gmail.com): https://www.facebook.com/Chicago-History-Podcast-107482214277883 https://twitter.com/chicago_pod https://www.instagram.com/chicagohistorypod/ Chicago History P...

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 story of the Eastland Disaster. Augmented Reality App: https://chicago00.org/ Suggested reading: Capsized! The Forgotten Story of the SS Eastland Disaster by Patricia Sutton The Sinking of the Eastland: America's Forgotten Tragedy by Jay Bonansinga http://www.eastlanddisa...

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 History Podcast (chicagohistorypod@gmail.com): https://www.facebook.com/Chicago-History-Podcast-107482214277883 https://twitter.com/chicago_pod https://www.instagram.com/chicagohistorypod/ Chicago History Podcast Art by John K. Schneider (angeleyesartjks@gmail.com) and on https:/...

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 more about The Ivanhoe Restaurant and Theater. Chicago History Podcast (chicagohistorypod@gmail.com): https://www.facebook.com/Chicago-History-Podcast-107482214277883 https://twitter.com/chicago_pod https://www.instagram.com/chicagohistorypod/ Help support the Chicago Histor...

Kelly Kniewel is a mapgeek, history enthusiast, architecture admirer, food fanatic, and a trained city tour guide in Chicago. She has called Chicago home for 25+ years and after working and teaching in the food and beverage industry for more than 10 years she feels pretty confident she knows how to get around to experience the best sights and bites the city has to offer. ChiCitiGirl Tours: https://dabble.co/teachers/chicitigirl-treks-cooks Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chicitig...

Chicago is the city that claims to be first in regards to many things. This episode has a bit of that but also stories about the first time certain events happened in the windy city. The band Nirvana's first visit to Chicago, the first ski resort in Chicago city limits, the first film studio established by an African American, the first animal cartoon, and more! Chicago History Podcast (chicagohistorypod@gmail.com): https://www.facebook.com/Chicago-History-Podcast-107482214277883 https://twitte...

Jacob Slichter is a composer, singer, author, professor, NPR commentator, contributor to The New York Times, and a drummer in the band Semisonic ("Closing Time" "Secret Smile" "F.N.T."). I talked to Jacob recently about his experiences visiting Chicago from his hometown of Champaign, IL when he was still in high school to playing rock shows in the Windy City at places like Lounge Ax, Metro, and others. Signed copy of Jacob's book: https://tinderboxmusic.com/jacobslichter/ Semisonic: http://semi...

It is a film that tops many Chicagoans’ lists of their favorite movies shot mainly here in the second city and most certainly is a huge part of Chicago history. Today, June 20th, 2020, marks the 40th Anniversary of the release of the much-loved film. In this episode we look at The Blues Brothers – not just the making of the movie, but the creation of the iconic characters known as Jake and Elwood Blues, and their indelible mark on pop culture and Chicago history. Chicago History Podcast (chica...

Chicago-based theater director Gary Griffin's bio is too long to fit in this space (wow, this guy has been busy), but a few notable mentions include working with Chicago's Victory Gardens Theatre, directing multiple Stephen Sondheim productions at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, directing The Color Purple on Broadway as well as other high profile musicals like Footloose and Honeymoon in Vegas. He has also been twice been named a "Chicagoan of the Year in the Arts" by the Chicago Tribune. Befor...

Was she a good girl gone bad, as some news reports would have you believe, or was Wanda Stopa a naïve, lovestruck woman taken advantage of by an older man? Either way, this is a story that rocked Chicago's news in April of 1924, when the youngest female attorney in Chicago's history got into a cab with murder on her mind. Chicago History Podcast (chicagohistorypod@gmail.com): https://www.facebook.com/Chicago-History-Podcast-107482214277883 https://twitter.com/chicago_pod https://www.instagram.c...

Hannah Stanley has worked in radio and television for over 20 years. Her experience includes hosting live programs on multiple stations, including WGN, one of the most well-respected stations here in Chicago, and hosting a variety of podcasts. What I really wanted to hear about was Hannah's first time taking the stage to perform stand up comedy, 20+ years after first saying she really wanted to try it. Gabby Road with Hannah, Fred, and Justin: http://gabbyroadradio.com/ https://www.facebook.com...

Sure, Chicago has the National Hockey League's much loved Chicago Blackhawks and also the American Hockey League's Chicago Wolves, but what about that OTHER Chicago hockey team? Today's we're discussing the Chicago Cougars, a short-lived team from the World Hockey Association in the 1970s! Chicago History Podcast (chicagohistorypod@gmail.com): https://www.facebook.com/Chicago-History-Podcast-107482214277883 https://twitter.com/chicago_pod https://www.instagram.com/chicagohistorypod/ Chicago His...

Marvin Mason published his first novel Curse of Black Hawk's Treasure well into his 50's and in the first year after being published is on track to have 10 works in print. Hear more about Mason's pursuit of a literary life. Marvin Mason - https://gaylord112317.wixsite.com/authormarvinmason/blp-releases https://smile.amazon.com/Marvin-Mason/e/B084D4P9QB?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1591207098&sr=8-1 Chicago History Podcast (chicagohistorypod@gmail.com): https://www.facebook.com/Chicago-History-Podc...

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, competition, and a trapeze death, that's when trouble starts. This is the story of Old Chicago, billed at the time as the "world's first enclosed combination theme park and shopping center," which in five years went from the next big thing to bust. Chicago...

Ralph Covert has been a working musician in Chicago since the late 80's, and with his band The Bad Examples has had many memorable shows. I recently talked to Ralph and asked about his Chicago First story playing as a band. I got that and much more. Ralph Covert: www.ralphcovert.com www.waterdogrecords.com Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music: Ralph Covert & The Bad Examples Ralph's World Chicago History Podcast (chicagohistorypod@gmail.com): https://www.facebook.com/Chicago-History-Podcast...

You don't always have to be first, but when you are it certainly feels good. Chicago has had its share of firsts. The first skyscraper? Built in Chicago. The first female police officer? Chicago again. The first moving walkway? Chicago in 1893. Hear more details about these and other instances in which Chicago has led the way as well as a handful of other "first" stories. Chicago History Podcast (chicagohistorypod@gmail.com): https://www.facebook.com/Chicago-History-Podcast-107482214277883 http...

Chicago has a long history with beer and breweries. Starting in 1881 and continuing for over 80 years, one street in Chicago was home to many breweries that experienced a number of highs and some might agree even more lows. Chicago History Podcast (chicagohistorypod@gmail.com): https://www.facebook.com/Chicago-History-Podcast-107482214277883 https://twitter.com/chicago_pod https://www.instagram.com/chicagohistorypod/ Chicago History Podcast Art by John K. Schneider (jschneider152@gmail.com) and...

One building, nearly 25 years of amazing concerts and the start of many successful bands. Episode Three of the Chicago History Podcast looks at Tuts and Avalon, two clubs that occupied the second floor of a building in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood between 1978 and 1994. Stevie Ray Vaughn, The Smashing Pumpkins, Hole, Psychedelic Furs, Material Issue, Stone Temple Pilots, Izzy Stradlin and the Ju Ju Hounds, Brand New Heavies, Violent Femmes, Tragically Hip, Arrested Development, Los Lobos, and...

For 25 years, one building housed some of Chicago's most interesting music venues. In this episode, we'll discuss the first rock club at that address and how Bruce Springsteen, Rolling Stones, Bob Marley, Jimmy Buffet, and many, many others added to this amazing part of the city's history. Music from the Quiet Knight era's performers (1969-1969) can be found on Spotify. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/26CZG0poDTThLh5DYmlTlA?si=RG9-WenLSJC-bfns2GAOew Chicago History Podcast (chicagohistorypod...

Before Walgreens became its current occupant, the northwest corner of Dearborn and Division in Chicago was home to storied movie theaters for over 70 years. Chicago History Podcast (chicagohistorypod@gmail.com): https://www.facebook.com/Chicago-History-Podcast-107482214277883 https://twitter.com/chicago_pod https://www.instagram.com/chicagohistorypod/ Chicago History Podcast Art by John K. Schneider (jschneider152@gmail.com) and on https://www.instagram.com/angeleyesartjks/ Like, subscribe, an...