Chicago History Podcast
Chicago History Podcast
We discuss Chicago history - the places, events, and the people behind it all! Have a listen and learn a little bit more about the greatest city in the world.
- 48 minutes 52 secondsEpisode 818 - Chicago's Deadly December: The Crash and Conspiracies of United Flight 553
On a cold and snowy day in December 1972, United Airlines flight 553 crashed into a neighborhood near Midway Airport, resulting in 45 deaths. The tragedy was soon followed by conspiracies. Was the plane brought down to silence those who might jeopardize powerful people in the government?
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Anything purchased through the links below may generate a small commission for this podcast at no cost to you and help offset production costs.
BOOKS ABOUT CHICAGO!
Chicago's Midway Airport: The First 75 Years by Christopher LynchMidway Airport: Images of Aviation by David E. Kent
When Hollywood Landed at Chicago's Midway Airport: The Photos and Stories of Mike Rotunno by Christopher Lynch
Join Kindle Unlimited here: https://amzn.to/2WsP1GH
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Send me an email - Chicago History Podcast (chicagohistorypod AT gmail.com)
Chicago History Podcast Art by John K. Schneider (angeleyesartjks AT gmail.com)7 December 2025, 12:00 pm - 57 minutes 35 secondsEpisode 817 - Chicago's Bloodshot Records with author Rob Miller
Author Rob Miller (one of the founders of Chicago's Bloodshot Records) joins me to discuss his new book, “The Hours Are Long But The Pay Is Low: A Curious Life in Independent Music.”
Get Rob's book here:
https://www.press.uillinois.edu/books/?id=p088964
Save 30% with the following code: F25UIP
Get your Brick of Chicago 2026 Calendar!
Purchasing items through the links below helps support our efforts at no additional cost to you:
The Hours Are Long But The Pay Is Low: A Curious Life in Independent Music by Rob Miller
https://amzn.to/4oYw1Ia (Paperback)
https://amzn.to/4idb89D (Kindle)
Bloodied But Unbowed: Bloodshot Records Life in the Trenches (DVD)
Show your love of this podcast for the cost of a coffee:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/chicagohistory
Want better sleep? Try the most delicious alternative to melatonin and sleeping pills that helps you fall asleep, stay asleep, and wake up feeling refreshed. MoonBrew. Use the code below for 15% off.https://moonbrew.co/TOMMYHENRY
Send me an email - Chicago History Podcast (chicagohistorypod AT gmail.com):
Chicago History Podcast Art by John K. Schneider (angeleyesartjks AT gmail.com)22 November 2025, 6:00 am - 40 minutes 23 secondsFROM THE ARCHIVES - Chicago's Mass Transit Decoy Squad of the 1970s plus EXTRAS
Please enjoy this FROM THE ARCHIVES + EXTRAS episode from the summer of 2022.
One man was robbed more than 190 times, knocked unconscious at least four times, and had an eardrum burst aboard Chicago’s L, each time with Chicago cops nearby watching, all in the name of public transportation safety.
This is the story of Chicago’s Mass Transit Decoy Squad of the 1970’s.
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Anything purchased through the links below may generate a small commission for this podcast at no cost to you and help offset production costs.
Books:
Chicago Street Cop: Amazing True Stories from the Mean Streets of Chicago and Beyond by Pat McCarthy
https://amzn.to/3BcwRen
Chicago Cop: Tales from the Street by Andre Van Vegten
https://amzn.to/3vcsYlH (Paperback)
https://amzn.to/3PA1YVp (Kindle Unlimited)
Second City Sinners: True Crime from Historic Chicago's Deadly Streets by John Seidel
https://amzn.to/3OIG3u9
Chicago Cop: Tales from the Street by Andre Van Vegten
https://amzn.to/3vcsYlH (Paperback)
https://amzn.to/3PA1YVp (Kindle Unlimited)
Join Kindle Unlimited here: https://amzn.to/2WsP1GH
Up your cocktail game with Portland craft syrups!
https://portlandsyrups.com/collections/all?sca_ref=1270971.MO4APpJH1k
Need music for YOUR projects? Audiio has got you covered. Try a free trial here:
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Podcast art by John K. Schneider - angeleyesartjks AT gmail.com
CONTENT CREATION:
DJI Mini 2 - Ultralight and Foldable Drone Quadcopter
https://amzn.to/3l8SZNK
AFHT 5'x7' Portable Green Screen Backdrop with Stand
https://amzn.to/3cUA7gW
Chicago History Podcast Clothing, Mugs, Totes, & More (your purchase helps support the podcast):
https://www.teepublic.com/user/chicago-history-podcast
https://teespring.com/stores/chicago-history-pod8 November 2025, 6:00 am - 1 hour 50 secondsEpisode 816 - Ghosts of the City: Chicago's Unsolved Murders
The Spyglass Murder of Margaret Gallagher, the killing and dismemberment of Judith Mae Andersen, the execution-style murder of Chicago Alderman Ben Lewis, and the roadside disappearance of Tammy Jo Zywicki are all part of this episode on Chicago's unsolved murders.
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 lower right corner here:
https://www.chicagohistorypod.com
Up your cocktail or Sodastream game with Portland craft syrups!
https://portlandsyrups.com/collections/all?sca_ref=1270971.MO4APpJH1k
Need music for YOUR projects? Audiio has got you covered. Try a free trial here:
https://audiio.com/pricing?oid=1&affid=481
Anything purchased through the links below may generate a small commission for this podcast at no cost to you and help offset production costs.
BOOKS ABOUT CHICAGO!
TRUE CRIME:
Sinister Chicago by Kali Joy Cramer
https://amzn.to/2WV7F9V
Murder & Mayhem in Chicago's Vice Districts by Troy Taylor
https://amzn.to/3zgTBGl
Second City Sinners: True Crime From Historic Chicago's Deadly Streets by Jon Seidel
https://amzn.to/3g5n1js
Unknown Chicago Tales by John R. Schmidt
https://amzn.to/3x6GgPh
The Gangs of Chicago: An Informal History of the Underworld by Herbert Asbury
https://amzn.to/3zlYL3D
Murder and Mayhem on Chicago's South Side by Troy Taylor
https://amzn.to/3BeIjmg (paperback)
https://amzn.to/3kkBVmK (FREE with Kindle Unlimited)
Join Kindle Unlimited here: https://amzn.to/2WsP1GH26 October 2025, 6:00 am - 29 minutes 44 secondsEpisode 815 - Chicago's Ghoulish Past - Expanded and Re-Recorded
Halloween is coming! Enjoy this episode about Chicago's ghoulish past, including tales of forgotten cemeteries, grave robbers, mob graveyards, and more. Expanded and re-recorded from the original, released Oct. 2020..
Pamela Bannos / Hidden Truths:
https://hiddentruths.northwestern.edu/Want to help support the podcast? Buy me a coffee!
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/chicagohistoryAnything purchased through the links below may generate a small commission for this podcast at no cost to you and help offset production costs.
BOOKS ABOUT CHICAGO!
Chicago Haunted Handbook: 99 Ghostly Places You Can Visit In and Around the Windy City by Jeff Morris and Vince Sheilds
https://amzn.to/46OGcZ6
The Ghosts of Chicago: Expanded Edition: Revised and Expanded 10th Anniversary Edition by Adam Selzer
https://amzn.to/3J7uuQa
Chicago Haunts: Ghostlore of the Windy City by Ursula Bielski
https://amzn.to/3KLi15c
Murder and Mayhem on Chicago's South Side by Troy Taylor
https://amzn.to/3BeIjmg (paperback)
https://amzn.to/3kkBVmK (FREE with Kindle Unlimited)
Join Kindle Unlimited here: https://amzn.to/2WsP1GH
Chicago History Podcast Clothing, Mugs, Totes, & More (your purchase helps support the podcast):
https://www.teepublic.com/user/chicago-history-podcast
https://teespring.com/stores/chicago-history-podcast
Chicago History Podcast (chicagohistorypod AT gmail.com):
https://www.chicagohistorypod.com
https://www.facebook.com/Chicago-History-Podcast-107482214277883
https://www.instagram.com/chicagohistorypod/
Chicago History Podcast Art by John K. Schneider (angeleyesartjks AT gmail.com)
Gear used in the recording of this podcast (purchases made through these links may help support the podcast):
Shure SM-58 Microphone: https://amzn.to/2DsouQo
Zoom H6 Recorder: https://amzn.to/3gSxrjF11 October 2025, 5:00 am - 35 minutes 9 secondsEpisode 814 - Pain Fireworks Company Explosion of 1914, The
Chicago has had its share of bizarre incidents resulting in death, including the Pain Fireworks Company Explosion of 1914.
Show your support of the show for the cost of a coffee:
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Leave me a voice message - just click on the microphone in the lower right corner here: https://www.chicagohistorypod.com
Want better sleep? Try the most delicious alternative to melatonin and sleeping pills that helps you fall asleep, stay asleep, and wake up feeling refreshed. MoonBrew. Use the code below for 15% off.https://moonbrew.co/TOMMYHENRY
Affiliate Links (anything you buy through these links - not just this stuff - helps benefit the show at no additional cost to you):
Chicago Calamities: Disaster in the Windy City by Gail Soucek
https://amzn.to/3Kq7rjV (Paperback version)https://amzn.to/4nRr3Mj (Kindle version)
Want to read hundreds of books for FREE every month? Try Kindle Unlimited here: https://amzn.to/4dInhRb
Chicago History Podcast Art by John K. Schneider (angeleyesartjks AT gmail.com)
Gear used in the recording of this podcast:
Shure SM-58 Microphone: https://amzn.to/3uDmji9
Zoom H6 Recorder: https://amzn.to/3y0wWh028 September 2025, 5:00 am - 23 minutes 36 secondsFROM THE ARCHIVES - Mysterious Death of Marshall Field Jr., The
Here's one originally released in August 2021 that you may not have heard. Enjoy.
He was the son of one of the wealthiest men in Chicago, and on one fateful night he was shot under mysterious circumstances. Was Marshall Field Jr.'s death an accident or something much darker that was covered up by powerful forces?
Want to help support the show? Buy me a coffee!
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Affiliate Links (anything you buy - not just this stuff - through these links helps benefit the show):
Sin In The Second City: Madams, Ministers, Playboys, and the Battle for America's Soul by Karen Abbott
https://amzn.to/3AlJ7W9
Sinister Chicago by Kali Joy Cramer
https://amzn.to/2WV7F9V
Fortune Builders: Chicago's Famous Families by Edwin Darby
https://amzn.to/3y1bmaY
Second City Sinners: True Crime From Historic Chicago's Deadly Streets by Jon Seidel
https://amzn.to/3g5n1js
Unknown Chicago Tales by John R. Schmidt
https://amzn.to/3x6GgPh
Looking to get out and explore Chicago? Here are a few ideas:
16" Softball Hall of Fame
https://16inchsoftballhof.com/visit-us/
Chicago Movie Tours
chicagomovietours.comChicago History Podcast Clothing, Mugs, Totes, & More (your purchase helps support the podcast):
https://www.teepublic.com/user/chicago-history-podcast
https://teespring.com/stores/chicago-history-podcast
Chicago History Podcast (chicagohistorypod AT gmail.com):
https://www.chicagohistorypod.com
https://www.facebook.com/Chicago-History-Podcast-107482214277883
https://twitter.com/chicago_pod
https://www.instagram.com/chicagohistorypod/
Chicago History Podcast Art by John K. Schneider (angeleyesartjks AT gmail.com)13 September 2025, 5:00 am - 1 hour 2 minutesEpisode 813 - Lincoln Park's Statues, Sculptures, and Oddities
If you're planning on walking through Lincoln Park anytime soon, you may be curious about all the statues you'll find. With the help of contributor Connie Fairbanks, we discuss the story behind many of the creations you'll see, and tell you about the ones that were once there but are no longer.
You can purchase Chicago's West Loop: Then and Now by Connie Fairbanks from the author at:
https://www.conniefairbanks.com/
or through this Amazon link:
https://amzn.to/3BzEPxt
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 lower right corner here:
https://www.chicagohistorypod.com30 August 2025, 5:00 am - 51 minutes 38 secondsEpisode 812 - Chicago's Uptown Theater with author Robert Loerzel
In August of 1925, an opulent cinema opened on Broadway just north of Lawrence Avenue. Joining me today to discuss the history of that theater is Robert Loerzel, one of the authors of the recently released book The Uptown: Chicago's Endangered Movie Palace.
https://www.robertloerzel.com/blog/
Show your love of this podcast for the cost of a coffee:
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Uptown, The: Chicago's Endangered Movie Palace by Robert Loerzel & James PierceWant better sleep? Try the most delicious alternative to melatonin and sleeping pills that helps you fall asleep, stay asleep, and wake up feeling refreshed. MoonBrew. Use the link below for 15% off.
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Chicago History Podcast (chicagohistorypod AT gmail.com):
Chicago History Podcast Art by John K. Schneider (angeleyesartjks AT gmail.com)16 August 2025, 6:00 am - 34 minutes 51 secondsEpisode 811 - One on Every Corner: Four Moon Tavern, Roscoe Village, and the Pencil Factory Strike with writer Leigh Giangreco
The return of One on Every Corner, where we discuss a neighborhood drinking establishment, the neighborhood around it, and more. Joining me for this episode is writer Leigh Giangreco and Four Moon Tavern owners Matt Kozlowski and Robbie Lane.
@leighgiangreco.bsky.social
Four Moon Tavern - @fourmoontavern on Insta
Show your love of this podcast for the cost of a coffee:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/chicagohistory
Want better sleep? Try the most delicious alternative to melatonin and sleeping pills that helps you fall asleep, stay asleep, and wake up feeling refreshed. MoonBrew. Use the link below for 15% off.https://moonbrew.co/TOMMYHENRY
Chicago History Podcast (chicagohistorypod AT gmail.com):
Chicago History Podcast Art by John K. Schneider (angeleyesartjks AT gmail.com)9 August 2025, 7:00 am - 27 minutes 15 secondsEpisode 810 - Chicago: The Loop & Beyond with photographer Nenad Spasojevic
There is more to Chicago than the Bean, The Loop, and Navy Pier. Joining me in this episode to discuss his photography, what he loves most about Chicago, and the recently-released book "Chicago: The Loop & Beyond" is Nenad Spasojevic.
Nenad Spasojevic - https://www.nenadspasojevic.com/
Insta: nenad.spasojevic
Show your love of this podcast for the cost of a coffee:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/chicagohistoryItems Related to This Episode (purchasing these items through these links helps support our efforts at no additional cost to you):
Chicago: The Loop & Beyond edited by Sam Landers and Michelle Fitzgerald
Chicago Architecture: Histories, Revisions, Alternatives by Charles Waldheim (editor) and Katerina Ruedi Ray (editor)
Above & Across Chicago edited by Sam Landers and Michelle Fitzgerald
Want better sleep? Try the most delicious alternative to melatonin and sleeping pills that helps you fall asleep, stay asleep, and wake up feeling refreshed. MoonBrew. Use the code below for 15% off.
https://moonbrew.co/TOMMYHENRY
Chicago History Podcast (chicagohistorypod AT gmail.com):
Chicago History Podcast Art by John K. Schneider (angeleyesartjks AT gmail.com)26 July 2025, 5:00 am - More Episodes? Get the App