Send us a text

Chicago’s cold weather can be brutal, and it has been for more than 150 years since it started being tracked. Here are ten of Chicago's coldest days.

Show your love of this podcast for the cost of a coffee:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/chicagohistory

Need music for YOUR projects? Audiio has got you covered. Try a free trial here:
https://audiio.com/pricing?oid=1&affid=481

Items related to this episode (purchasing anything through these links helps support our efforts at no additional cost to you):

Chicago's Erratic 5-Day Weather Forecast T-Shirt

https://amzn.to/4jYrDXH

Chicago Flashback: The People and Events That Shaped a City by Chicago Tribune

https://amzn.to/4qF93Xa (Hardcover)

https://amzn.to/4pYcuXY (Kindle - FREE with Kindle Unlimited)

Join Kindle Unlimited here: https://amzn.to/2WsP1GH

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)

Support the show

Send us a text

In the late 1940s and well into the 1950s, Chicago was plagued by fires that had one key thing in common – they took place at often unsafe, threadbare hotels, injuring and even killing those who were already down on their luck. This is the story of Chicago’s Skid Row Flophouse Fires.

Originally released in January 2022.

Show some love for the podcast for the cost of a cup of coffee and help offset production costs:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/chicagohistory

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:
https://audiio.com/pricing?oid=1&affid=481

Amazon Affiliate Links (anything you buy - not just this stuff - through these links helps benefit the show):

Chicago Fires:

Great Chicago Fires: Historic Blazes That Shaped A City by David Cowen
https://amzn.to/3Ga2rJ9
It's Not The Trauma, It's The Drama: More Stories by a Chicago Fire Department Paramedic by Marjorie Leigh Bomben
https://amzn.to/3q6DRn9
History of Chicago: A Captivating Guide To The People and Events that Shaped the Windy City's History
https://amzn.to/3HJdERo (or FREE with Kindle Unlimited)

Join Kindle Unlimited here: https://amzn.to/2WsP1GH

CHICAGO MOVIES discussed on the podcast!

Backdraft
https://amzn.to/3y33plM
About Last Night (1986)
https://amzn.to/2W8v4EU
Call Northside 777
https://amzn.to/3ggBPeS

So many Chicago-related movies and documentaries can been found here:
https://amzn.to/38F6heh

Want to Enjoy Outdoor Movies? Here's the gear I use:
Epson Home Cinema Projector:
https://amzn.to/3RtIr9V
120" Projector Screen/Stand:
https://amzn.to/3KtYm5B

Looking to get out and explore Chicago? Here are a few ideas:
Chicago Movie Tours
chicagomovietours.com

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-pod

Support the show

Send us a text

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?

Want to help support the show? Buy me a coffee! Buy more than one and get a personalized video thank you.
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

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 Lynch

https://amzn.to/44fos7D

Midway Airport: Images of Aviation by David E. Kent

https://amzn.to/48WiVW7

When Hollywood Landed at Chicago's Midway Airport: The Photos and Stories of Mike Rotunno by Christopher Lynch

https://amzn.to/4iH4bxD

Join Kindle Unlimited here: https://amzn.to/2WsP1GH

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)

Support the show

Send us a text

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.”

www.robmillerwriting.com

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)

https://amzn.to/3XGc2Sq

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)

Support the show

Send us a text

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.

Show some love for the podcast for a one-time cost of a cup of coffee and help offset production costs:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/chicagohistory

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:
https://audiio.com/pricing?oid=1&affid=481

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-pod

Support the show

Send us a text

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/2WsP1GH

Support the show

Send us a text

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/chicagohistory

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 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/3gSxrjF

Support the show

Send us a text

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:
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

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/3y0wWh0

Support the show