
Chicago History Podcast
Stories from history of the Greatest City in the World - Chicago. The places, events, and the people behind it all.
Latest episodes

Jul 6, 2024 • 38min
Episode 716 - Chicago's Motor Speedways
Send us a textLong 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:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/chicagohistoryLeave me a voice message - just click on the microphone in the lower right corner here: https://www.chicagohistorypod.comUp your cocktail or Sodastream game with Portland craft syrups!https://portlandsyrups.com/collections/all?sca_ref=1270971.MO4APpJH1kAffiliate Links (anything you buy through these links - not just this stuff - helps benefit the show at no additional cost to you):BOOKS:Driving with the Devil: Southern Moonshine, Detroit Wheels, and the Birth of NASCAR by Neal Thompsonhttps://amzn.to/4csaSj7Fifty Years of Stock Car Racing: A History of Collectibles and Memorabilia by Ken Breslauerhttps://amzn.to/45SL6CcCLOTHING:Chicago Skyline Race Car Shirthttps://amzn.to/3zxbLZcWant to read hundreds of books for FREE every month? Try Kindle Unlimited: https://amzn.to/4dInhRbChicago History Podcast Art by John K. Schneider (angeleyesartjks AT gmail.com)Gear used in the recording of this podcast:Shure MV7 Microphone: https://amzn.to/4aN8Xo6Zoom H6 Recorder: https://amzn.to/3y0wWh0Support the show

Jun 24, 2024 • 27min
Episode 715 - The Outrage of Danny Sotomayor with WTTW's Dan Andries
Send us a textDanny 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 Sotomayor (WTTW)https://interactive.wttw.com/chicago-stories/outrage-of-danny-sotomayor/videoThe Outrage of Danny Sotomayor (YouTube)https://youtu.be/UQUxHdWHeKs?si=lql4W2Eg9XAdb3lOGet out and explore Chicago this summer with Tours With Mike:https://tourswithmike.com/Show your support of the show for the cost of a coffee:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/chicagohistoryLeave me a voice message - just click on the microphone in the lower right corner here: https://www.chicagohistorypod.comUp your cocktail or Sodastream game with Portland craft syrups!https://portlandsyrups.com/collections/all?sca_ref=1270971.MO4APpJH1kBOOKS:Out and Proud in Chicago: An Overview of the City's Gay Community by Tracy Baimhttps://amzn.to/3KWRTBaQueer Clout: Chicago and the Rise of Gay Politics (Politics and Culture in Modern America) by Timothy Stewart-Winterhttps://amzn.to/3xj033SChicago Whispers: A History of LGBT Chicago before Stonewall by St. Sukie de la Croix and John D’Emiliohttps://amzn.to/3KU6Ns7Last Call Chicago: A History of 1001 LGBTQ-Friendly Taverns, Haunts & Hangouts by Rick Karlin and St Sukie de la Croixhttps://amzn.to/415MDRMTry Amazon Kindle Unlimited for FREE here: https://amzn.to/2WsP1GHChicago History Podcast Clothing, Mugs, Totes, & More (your purchase helps support the podcast):https://www.teepublic.com/user/chicago-history-podcasthttps://teespring.com/stores/chicago-history-podcastChicago History Podcast (chicagohistorypod AT gmail.com):https://www.chicagohistorypod.comChicago History Podcast Art by John K. Schneider (angeleyesartjks AT gmail.com)Support the show

Jun 15, 2024 • 22min
FROM THE ARCHIVES - Old Chicago Amusement Park
Send us a textIt 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.ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN MAY, 2020. This version contains some changes.Show some love for the podcast for the cost of a cup of coffee and help offset production costs:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/chicagohistoryAmazon Affiliate Links (anything you buy - not just this stuff - through these links helps benefit the show):BOOKS:History Lover's Guide to Chicago, A by Greg Borzohttps://amzn.to/3w8fcQFFodor's Chicago (Full Color Travel Guide)https://amzn.to/3P6Mmc0CHICAGO ITEMS (PERFECT FOR GIFT GIVING):Greenline Goods Whiskey Glasses - 10 Oz Tumbler Gift Set for Chicago lovers, Etched with Chicago Map | Old Fashioned Rocks Glass - Set of 2https://amzn.to/3FrjSFrChicago Map Coasters by O3 Design Studio, Set Of 4, Sapele Wooden Coaster With City Map, Handmadehttps://amzn.to/3vNyDiNChicago History Podcast (chicagohistorypod AT gmail.com):https://www.facebook.com/Chicago-History-Podcast-107482214277883https://twitter.com/chicago_podhttps://www.instagram.com/chicagohistorypod/Chicago History Podcast Art by John K. Schneider (angeleyesartjks AT gmail.com) and on https://www.instagram.com/angeleyesartjks/ Like, subscribe, and kindly review. Much appreciated!Support the show

Jun 8, 2024 • 30min
Episode 714 - Rondout Train Robbery of 1924, The
Send us a textIt 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:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/chicagohistoryLeave me a voice message - just click on the microphone in the lower right corner here: https://www.chicagohistorypod.comUp your cocktail or Sodastream game with Portland craft syrups!https://portlandsyrups.com/collections/all?sca_ref=1270971.MO4APpJH1kThe Newton Gang Speaks (including Joe Newton on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson (1/20/1980):https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fenpjqq-UBo&t=6sAffiliate Links (anything you buy through these links - not just this stuff - helps benefit the show at no additional cost to you):BOOKS:Newton Boys: Portrait of an Outlaw Gang, The by Claude Stanush and David Middletonhttps://amzn.to/4bR8wdqRondout Train Robbery, The by H.K. Petschelhttps://amzn.to/3KE6H7vLast Train Robber, The: The Life and Times of Willis Newton by W.C. Jamesonhttps://amzn.to/3RigDrgWillis Newton: The True Story of the Notorious Newton Gang by G.R. Williamsonhttps://amzn.to/3KzuohCMOVIE:Newton Boys, The (1998) with Matthew McConnaughey, Ethan Hawke, Skeet UlrichAmazon Prime: https://amzn.to/4edWk7YWant to read hundreds of free books every month? Try Kindle Unlimited: https://amzn.to/4dInhRbChicago History Podcast Art by John K. Schneider (angeleyesartjks AT gmail.com)Gear used in the recording of this podcast:Shure MV7 Microphone: https://amzn.to/4aN8Xo6Zoom H6 Recorder: https://amzn.to/3y0wWh0Support the show

Jun 1, 2024 • 28min
FROM THE ARCHIVES - U-505 German Submarine in Chicago, The
Send us a textIt 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), and then see the submarine at the Museum of Science and Industry.#ChicagoHistory #USNavy #MuseumOfScienceandIndustry #U505Submarine #WorldWarIIU-505 Live Submarine Tour:https://www.msichicago.org/explore/whats-here/exhibits/u-505-submarine/Chicago History Podcast Clothing, Mugs, Totes, & More (your purchase helps support the podcast):https://www.teepublic.com/user/chicago-history-podcasthttps://teespring.com/stores/chicago-history-podcastChicago History Podcast (chicagohistorypod AT gmail.com):https://www.chicagohistorypod.comhttps://www.facebook.com/Chicago-History-Podcast-107482214277883https://x.com/chicago_podhttps://www.instagram.com/chicagohistorypod/Chicago History Podcast Art by John K. Schneider (angeleyesartjks AT gmail.com)Support the show

May 25, 2024 • 32min
Episode 713 - Chicago's World War II POW Camps
Delving into Chicago's World War II POW Camps, the podcast explores the treatment of German POWs, the history of Camps Gokie Valley, Arlington Fields, and Camp Pine, and the transformation of Camp Thornton in Chicago. From peaceful relations to daring escapes, the stories of these camps are both intriguing and heartwarming.

May 18, 2024 • 32min
Episode 712 - Wrigley Field: The Diamond on the Northside
The podcast delves into the history and evolution of Wrigley Field, discussing its origins as Wiegmann Field, iconic features like the center field scoreboard and green color scheme, and the $575 million renovation project by the Ricketts family. It also explores the area's transformation from tribal lands to farming territory, the annexation of Lakeview into Chicago, and the unsuccessful attempt to establish a baseball team in Chicago by the American Association.

May 11, 2024 • 34min
Episode 711 - Chicago's Irish History: The Murder of Dr. Patrick Henry Cronin
Send us a textHis 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 coffee:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/chicagohistoryLeave me a voice message - just click on the microphone in the lower right corner here: https://www.chicagohistorypod.comUp your cocktail or Sodastream game with Portland craft syrups!https://portlandsyrups.com/collections/all?sca_ref=1270971.MO4APpJH1kAffiliate Links (anything you buy - not just this stuff - through these links helps benefit the show at no additional cost to you):Blood Runs Green: The Murder That Transfixed Gilded Age Chicago by Gillian O'Brienhttps://amzn.to/3TLguOxChicago History Podcast Art by John K. Schneider (angeleyesartjks AT gmail.com)Gear used in the recording of this podcast:Shure MV7 Microphone: https://amzn.to/4aN8Xo6Zoom H6 Recorder: https://amzn.to/3y0wWh0Support the show

May 4, 2024 • 25min
FROM THE ARCHIVES - 16 Inch Softball in Chicago
Send us a textNo 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 President Ron Kubicki, and Hall of Fame Vice President Ray Topps.#Chicago #History #ChicagoHistory #ChicagoSports #16InchSoftball16-Inch Hall of Fame:https://www.16inchsoftballHoF.comOrder "The Greatest Game on Dirt" and help support the Hall of Fame:https://16inchsoftballhof.com/shop/16-Inch Hall of Fame Documentary with Jack Brickhousehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVrKCsxB3icWant to help support the show? Buy me a coffee!https://www.buymeacoffee.com/chicagohistoryCheck out If The Walls Could Talk, a podcast about the downfall of Edgewater Hospital in Chicago:https://ifthewallscouldtalkpodcast.com/Affiliate Links (anything you buy - not just this stuff - through these links helps benefit the show):Secret History Of Balls: The Stories Behind The Things We Love To Catch, Whack, Throw, Kick, Bounce, and Bat, The by Josh Chetwyndhttps://amzn.to/3zjhFaVSecond City Sinners: True Crime From Historic Chicago's Deadly Streets by Jon Seidelhttps://amzn.to/3g5n1jsUnknown Chicago Tales by John R. Schmidthttps://amzn.to/3x6GgPhLooking to get out and explore Chicago? Here are a few ideas:16" Softball Hall of Famehttps://16inchsoftballhof.com/visit-us/Chicago Movie Tourschicagomovietours.comChicago Detours: Tours For Curious Peoplehttps://chicagodetours.com/Summertime Outdoor Movies? Here's the gear I use:UUO 1080p Projector:https://amzn.to/3v6F25S120" Projector Screenhttps://amzn.to/3ozAuTfLove the podcast? Leave us a review!https://lovethepodcast.com/chicagohistorypodChicago History Podcast Clothing, Mugs, Totes, & More (your purchase helps support the podcast):https://www.teepublic.com/user/chicago-history-podcasthttps://teespring.com/stores/chicago-history-podcastChicago History Podcast (chicagohistorypod@gmail.com):https://www.chicagohistorypod.comhttps://www.facebook.com/Chicago-History-Podcast-107482214277883https://twitter.com/chicago_podhttps://www.instagram.com/chicagohistorypod/Chicago History Podcast Art by John K. Schneider (angeleyesartjks@gmail.com) and on https://www.insSupport the show

Apr 27, 2024 • 26min
FROM THE ARCHIVES - Soldier Field
Explore the origins and rich history of Soldier Field in Chicago, from its inception as a WWI memorial to hosting diverse events like boxing matches and football games. Learn about the design challenges faced during construction and the venue's historical evolution, including controversies surrounding potential new stadiums for the Chicago Bears.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.