Chicago History Podcast

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

Send us a textFriend 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/mysteriesShow 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):Alchemy of Bones: Chicago's Luetgert Murder Case of 1897 by Robert Loerzelhttps://amzn.to/3PZjFA7Secret Chicago: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure by Jessica Mlinarikhttps://amzn.to/4aSXKTaChicago Scavenger by Jessica Mlinarikhttps://amzn.to/3UbgpnzGraceland Cemetery: Chicago Stories, Symbols, and Secrets by Adam Selzerhttps://amzn.to/3xvW6IxChicago 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

Send us a textNot long after The Beatles invaded America and kids everywhere picked up guitars and drumsticks and formed their own bands, enterprising individuals all over Chicago and the suburbs saw… opportunity. This is the story of Chicago's Teen Rock Clubs of the 1960’s.Additional Reading (anything purchased through these links - not just the items listed - may generate a small commission and help support the podcast at no additional cost to you):The Who: Concert File by Joe McMichael and "Irish" Jack LyonsKindle - https://amzn.to/34YBSqAPaperback - https://amzn.to/2YVDpd5The Chicago Music Scene: 1960s and 1970s by Dean MilanoPaperback - https://amzn.to/31PrFL6Harcover - https://amzn.to/2YZYwenChicago History Podcast Clothing, Mugs, Totes, & More:https://www.teepublic.com/user/chicago-history-podcasthttps://teespring.com/stores/chicago-history-podcastChicago 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 if you enjoy what you hear, please leave a written review. Much appreciated!Gear used in the recording of this podcast:Shure SM-58 Microphone: https://amzn.to/2DsouQoZoom H6 Recorder: https://amzn.to/3gSxrjFSupport the show