
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

Aug 24, 2024 • 29min
Episode 718 - Dr. Edward Holmes and the Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary with Connie Fairbanks
Send us a textHe arrived in Chicago from Boston in the mid-1800s and set up an Eye and Ear Infirmary to help those in need. Hear the story of Dr. Edward Lorenzo Holmes and his efforts to help the less fortunate in Chicago.West Loop: Then and Now by Connie FairbanksBuy it from the author: https://www.conniefairbanks.com/shop-1Show 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:Chicago's West Loop: Then and Now by Connie Fairbankshttps://amzn.to/46U00J7 (Kindle Edition)Chicago Portraits: New Edition by June Skinner Sawyershttps://amzn.to/3WRoTQWChicago's Parks: A Photographic History by John Grafhttps://amzn.to/43Hod3x (Paperback)https://amzn.to/3Tz8Khv (FREE with Kindle Unlimited)Want 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

Aug 17, 2024 • 26min
FROM THE ARCHIVES - Mysterious Death of Montgomery Ward Thorne, The
Send us a textHe was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, but when this Chicago-born department store heir died mysteriously at the age of 20, things really got weird. #ChicagoHistory #MontgomeryWard #MysteriousDeath #Wards #DepartmentStores #TrueCrimeWant to help support the show? Buy Me 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):Montgomery Ward & Co. Catalogue and Buyers' Guide 1895https://amzn.to/3X4wMUvMontgomery Ward Fashions of the Twentieshttps://amzn.to/4dMEQikMontgomery Ward T-Shirthttps://amzn.to/46OdaamChicago History Podcast Clothing, Mugs, Totes, & More (your purchase helps support the podcast):https://www.teepublic.com/user/chicago-history-podcasthttps://chicago-history-podcast.creator-spring.com/Chicago History Podcast (chicagohistorypod AT gmail.com):https://www.chicagohistorypod.comhttps://www.facebook.com/ChicagoHistoryPod/https://twitter.com/chicago_podhttps://www.instagram.com/chicagohistorypod/Chicago History Podcast Art by John K. Schneider (angeleyesartjks AT gmail.com)Support the show

Aug 10, 2024 • 48min
Episode 717 - Chicago's Little Saigon with author Erica Allen-Kim
Send us a textChinese entrepreneurs in the 1970s as well as refugees from Vietnam and Cambodia transformed an area on the city’s north side by opening restaurants, bakeries, pharmacies, and social service agencies. Today we’re discussing Chicago’s Little Saigon with author Erica Allen-Kim.Building Little Saigon: Refugee Urbanism in American Cities and Suburbs by Erica Allen-KimBuy it from the publisher: https://utpress.utexas.edu/9781477329719/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:Building Little Saigon: Refugee Urbanism in American Cities and Suburbs by Erica Allen-Kimhttps://amzn.to/3X1MxvyToward a Framework for Vietnamese American Studies: History, Community, and Memory by Linda Ho Peché, Alex-Thai Dinh Vo, et al.https://amzn.to/3WXx3IBAfter Rain: A Vietnamese Refugee Family Story by Hoành Phonghttps://amzn.to/3yzjVQC (Paperback)https://amzn.to/3LY3Vej (Kindle)or FREE with Kindle UnlimitedWant 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

Aug 3, 2024 • 25min
FROM THE ARCHIVES - Navy Pier
Send us a textPlanning to visit Navy Pier this summer? Here is the history of one of the most popular tourist destinations not only in Chicago but in all of Illinois.* Written and recorded before FlyOver Chicago was installedShow 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:Navy Pier: A Chicago Landmark by Douglas Bukowskihttps://amzn.to/37xsSN3Lakefront: Public Trust and Private Rights in Chicago by Joseph D. Kearney and Thomas W. Merrillhttps://amzn.to/3MoX4ZjChicago Metropolis 2020: The Plan For The Twenty-First Century by Elmer W. Johnsonhttps://amzn.to/3rM4SMRNAVY PIER ITEMS:Chicago Navy Pier 1000 Piece Dowdle Puzzle (1000 piece)https://amzn.to/3k67IbqNavy Pier, Chicago, Illinois Glass Ball Christmas Ornamenthttps://amzn.to/3OwVoyUNavy Pier Decor - Rustic Vintage Retro Metal Sign 4x16 Inchhttps://amzn.to/3K6eUPhPodcast art by John K. Schneider - angeleyesartjks AT gmail.comChicago 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-podhttps://www.chicagohistorypod.comEmail: chicagohistorypod AT gmail.comSupport the show

Jul 13, 2024 • 24min
FROM THE ARCHIVES - Earle T. Cook and the Airplane Bombing
Send us a textFor you fans of true crime stories, here's an episode from January 2021.He was a manager at a Coca-Cola bottling plant, married, with two teenage sons living the good life in suburban Naperville, IL in 1967. When a bomb exploded aboard a plane on which his wife Jeanne was a passenger, Earle T. Cook quickly became the focus of the FBI investigation.#ChicagoHistory #ChicagoTrueCrime #TrueCrime #TrueCrimePodcast#AirplaneBombings #NapervilleIL #MurderForHire #StandByYourManChicago 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://www.instagram.com/chicagohistorypod/Chicago History Podcast Art by John K. Schneider (angeleyesartjks AT gmail.com)Music From This Episode Includes:Greazy Windowpane Dream by Brian Holtz MusicLink: https://filmmusic.io/song/6997-greazy-windowpane-dreamLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseSupport the show

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