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Season 7

April 6, 2024

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/mysteries Show your support of t…
March 30, 2024

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 …
March 16, 2024

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 kille…
March 2, 2024

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/chicagohistory Leave me a voice message - just click on the microphone in the lower right corne…
Feb. 3, 2024

Episode 706 - Sergio Mayora and the Art of Weeds Tavern

Bartender, poet, musician, artist, and more. Sergio Mayora and the art of Weeds Tavern. In the Weeds: How Bartender, Poet, Musician and Artist Sergio Mayora Cultivated One of the Most Important Taverns in Chicago History by …
Jan. 6, 2024

Episode 705 - Tragedy on the Tracks: Connecting Winnetka to Chicago

A series of tragedies prompted one Chicago suburb to change the way trains travel through their city. This is the story of Connecting Winnetka to Chicago. Show your support of the show for the cost of a coffee: https://www.b…
Dec. 23, 2023

Episode 704 - Chicago's Stockyards Fire of 1910

Just days before Christmas in 1910, a fire broke out in Chicago that resulted in the highest loss of life of firefighters due to a building collapse, a grim claim held for nearly 91 years before being surpassed on 9/11. Show…
Dec. 16, 2023

Episode 703 - Points North: Mayor Daley, a Japanese Prince, and 18 Bluegills

In October 1960, Prince Akihito of Japan visited Chicago for 21 hours. Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley presented the prince with a diplomatic gift: 18 bluegill. What happened next would change the underwater world of Japan fo…
Nov. 25, 2023

Episode 702 - Most Beautiful Places in Chicago, The with Geoffrey Baer

Geoffrey Baer is back on the podcast to discuss his latest program for WTTW - The Most Beautiful Places in Chicago 2. https://interactive.wttw.com/most-beautiful-places-in-chicago Show your support of the show for the cost o…
Oct. 28, 2023

Episode 701 - Chicago's Ghoulish Past, Part 3 - Women Who Poison

Women and poison. Chicago's history is thick with these killers. 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…