Chicago History Podcast

Gorgeous.

While watching the original "Naked Gun" for the first time in 30+ years I discovered Gerry Goffin and Carole King wrote the Herman's Hermits hit "I'm Into Something Good." Bonkers. Next I'll learn Goffin and King wrote The Monkees hit "Pleasant Valley Sunday."

Chicago ranked no. 1 in worst air quality in the world Thursday "The air quality is officially dangerous in Chicago," says Brian Urbaszewski, director of environmental health programs at the Respiratory Health Association. "It's going to send people to the emergen...

We're #1! We're #1! Ohhhh...

chicago.suntimes.com/weather/2025...

View of Printers Row, looking north - photo by Nenad Spasojevic

Episode 810 - Chicago: The Loop & Beyond with photographer Nenad Spasojevic
bit.ly/44R2b0G

#ChicagoHistory #ChicagoArchitecture #ChicagoPhotographers

Random L station picture.

Man charged with hate crime in Little Village vandalism acted out of "anger against Palestinians and Latinos" Philip Dominguez, 38, allegedly spray painted swastikas and "ICE rules" on buildings in Little Village. He faces multiple felony counts of hate crime and criminal damage to property.

A guy with the surname "Dominguez" was “motivated by anger against Palestinians and Latinos." There's a lot to unpack here.

chicago.suntimes.com/crime/2025/0...

View from North LaSalle Drive Bridge, looking east - photo by Nenad Spasojevic

Episode 810 - Chicago: The Loop & Beyond with photographer Nenad Spasojevic
bit.ly/44R2b0G

#ChicagoHistory #ChicagoArchitecture #ChicagoPhotographers

Lincoln Park South Pond looking southeast - photo by Nenad Spasojevic

Episode 810 - Chicago: The Loop & Beyond with photographer Nenad Spasojevic
bit.ly/44R2b0G

#ChicagoHistory #ChicagoArchitecture #ChicagoPhotographers

Brick Gothic church with two soaring spires topped with crossed. There are three entrances on the front, each with double doors. Above the entrances are multilayered brick arches, round windows, and brick pediments topped with terra cotta crosses. The brick is buff-colored and really glows in the sun.

It's Sunday. Here's a church. St. Paul Roman Catholic Church, 2127 W. 22nd Place, Chicago. 1899, Henry Schlacks, architect. It's famously known as "the church built without a nail" because much of the construction was carried out by the skilled bricklayers and masons from the congregation.

Serbian-born Nenad Spasojevic has lived in Chicago for 10 years. Some of his photos of the city are included in the new Trope Publishing book "Chicago: The Loop & Beyond," which features 200+ never-before published pictures from a number of photographers.

#CoalChuteThursday. Embedded in some of that sweet, sweet Chicago brick. Lincoln Square, Eastwood by the Brown Line.

A shirt with a graphic that says "I Want My PBS" in the style of the MTV logo and text that says $5,078.37 was raised for PBS.

Hell yeah, we raised over $5k for @wttw.bsky.social /PBS this past week! Thanks to everyone who grabbed a shirt.

www.harebraineddesign.com/products/i-w...

Favorite L stop? I mean, Damen Brown Line is pretty great.

Coming back from an evening in the burbs via Metra, I snapped this as I walked over the river. Love this city.

It's a six+ hour drive from Chicago right now but it would be worth it (and sadly, they'd be closed by the time I got there).

Yep.

The thing about conspiracy theorists is that you are required to go deeper and deeper into the abyss with them, or you become a sworn enemy. No matter how crazy it gets, you must go forth and believe.

If you dismiss the conspiracy after you’ve hyped it, well. Now you’re part of the conspiracy.

Go old school - RJ Grunts.

“When Bob sensed I might refuse to appear, he took the gloves off." For Pete Townshend, Jimmy Page and Bob Dylan, Live Aid was a case of bad vibes for a good cause We look back at a few of the big guitar moments from the global music event, held 40 years ago on July 13

Live Aid was 40 years ago today? I can't find my car keys most mornings, but this I remember well.

www.guitarplayer.com/guitarists/w...

Lincoln Square Construction Unearths A Piece Of Pre-CTA History Records show the tracks that have captured neighbors' attention in recent weeks were part of a private transit service that predates the modern CTA.

I do get a little giddy when I see things like this during construction in Chicago. It almost makes the upheaval a little more tolerable.

Nice piece from @avhndz.bsky.social at @blockclubchi.bsky.social.

blockclubchicago.org/2025/07/11/l...

John Dillinger's gang, including "Baby Face" Nelson, decided to hide out at the Little Bohemia Lodge in Manitowish Waters, WI. As federal agents surrounded the building, a gun battle ensued.

FROM THE ARCHIVES - Baby Face Nelson and The Battle of Barrington
bit.ly/4034kDF

Oh Hellz yes.

So great. That is possibly my favorite audio rant, right up there with Casey Kasem's numerous gems and the drunken outtakes from Orson Welles while filming Paul Masson wine commercials.

Robberies committed by Baby Face Nelson included that of Charles Richter, whose family was held at gunpoint at 1418 N Lakeshore Drive in the Gold Coast neighborhood. The criminals made off with $25k, nearly $482k today.

FROM THE ARCHIVES - Baby Face Nelson & The Battle of Barrington
bit.ly/4034kDF

With an arrest for stealing cars, the teenaged Lester Gillis was sentenced to the Illinois State Home for Delinquent Boys in St. Charles, IL, about 40 miles due west of downtown Chicago, for 18 months.

FROM THE ARCHIVES - Baby Face Nelson and The Battle of Barrington
bit.ly/4034kDF

Lester Gillis grew up at 942 N. California Ave near Humboldt Park and attended grade school at LaFayette Public School. His parents soon moved him to a parochial school - St. Mark’s, just a few blocks away.

FROM THE ARCHIVES - Baby Face Nelson and The Battle of Barrington

bit.ly/4034kDF

The ICE budget is now set to be approximately what the NIH budget was. We’re shifting money from solving real problems to solving fictitious problems.

Best thing I've read all week. Thanks for the laugh, LTC.