Curious City

What does it take to put together a traffic report?

22 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Travel times and transit delays are part of the daily commute. There's a lot of chaos and information to sift through to bring you those traffic repor...

Why telling “the proper stories” is vital to understanding the Piasa

16 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Roadside attractions aren’t always the kitschy photo op we imagine them to be. Some have a complicated history that you can’t see from the side of...

Why is there a fire-breathing dragon in Illinois?

15 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As many as 40,000 people have come to see this downstate roadside attraction: a metal dragon, as big as a school bus, with a flamethrower in its mouth...

Chicago history is full of consequential years

09 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When it comes to picking the most consequential year in Chicago’s history, 1919 rises to the top for many historians because of how the race riots t...

What was Chicago’s most consequential year? It may not be what you think.

08 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Historians say it’s an impossible question to answer. Major events have shaped Chicago from its very start in 1837, but one year stands out.

Winter Weather Tips: From Extra Gloves To Hot Potatoes

01 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

From mail carriers to photographers, we asked people who spend a lot of time in the cold how they stay warm.

Who Are The Folks At The Christmas Tree Lot?

25 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Pop-up tree lots sprout up on every Chicago corner during the holiday season, only to disappear. Who are the people who make these happen and what's t...

Who’s Behind The CTA Holiday Train? Santa And The Elves!

18 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The CTA Holiday Train started from humble beginnings. Then a holiday celebrity and his helpers turned it into a Chicago tradition.

In Chicago, forget the cocktail; a beer and a shot will do

12 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chicago is a city of pubs and taverns with a robust drinking culture. During the holiday season, that might mean sipping on some warm Swedish glögg, ...

Where did the Tom & Jerry cocktail come from?

11 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Tom & Jerry cocktail didn’t originate in Chicago, but this cakey drink feels very Midwestern. We get into the drunken history of this classic dr...

Beer, architecture and Lincoln Square: The lasting impact of German culture in Chicago

05 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

If you’ve ever shown up to a bar on a Sunday afternoon or listened to a concert at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, you’ve experienced firsthand th...

Christkindlmarket’s Forgotten Year

04 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A Curious City listener collects Christkindlmarket mugs. But there’s one mug in her collection without a year on it. We go in search of that lost ye...

Why is there an aviary at O'Hare Airport?

28 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A curious listener asked why he saw an aviary at O'Hare Airport. It turns out, it isn't an aviary at all — it’s a trap for an invasive species of...

What happens to birds stuck inside the airport?

27 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Airplanes aren’t the only ones flying around at the airport. Birds often get stuck inside the terminal, and they can be a challenge to get out.

‘Indigenous Chicago’ project shows the city has always been a Native place

21 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

November is National Native American Heritage Month, a time to celebrate and recognize the history, culture and contributions of Indigenous people in ...

Without Native Americans, Would We Have Chicago As We Know It?

20 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chicago histories usually start in 1830, but Native Americans were already settled in the region long before that. Curious City fills you in on what s...

Bodegas, ‘The Bear’ and why family business is the ‘backbone of the economy’

14 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When you think of a family business, one of two images probably comes to mind: either the mom and pop shop around the corner or the dysfunctional fami...

What’s The Oldest Family Business in Chicago?

13 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Tracking down the oldest family business in the city is not as easy as it seems. The city’s business records only go back to 2002. Time for a fishin...

‘So many connections:’ Chicago indicator species are trying to tell us something

07 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A Curious City listener wanted to know about the decline of frogs in our area. We looked into what’s been happening with these species over the last...

“It’s Not Easy Being Green”: The Decline Of Frogs In Chicago

06 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Frogs have been on the decline in the Chicago area. The health of the frog population tells us a lot about the health of our environment.

“Spooky and salacious:” Do we need to rethink prison tourism?

31 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It’s spooky season, a time when we often visit haunted houses and think about the paranormal. And if you live in the Chicago area, you’ve probably...

Who Or What Haunts The Old Joliet Prison?

30 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Old Joliet Prison has been around since the 1800s. Some visitors swear they’ve experienced the paranormal there. But do ghost stories detract fr...

What Does "Chicagoland" Mean, And Where Did It Come From?

24 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The origins of "Chicagoland" can be traced back to nearly 100 years ago. Back then, it encompassed an area that went beyond the suburbs.

This Episode Is Garbage

17 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chicago collects thousands of tons of garbage each year. We answer some questions about garbage, and follow an all-women collection crew on the job.

The Legacy Of Margaret Burroughs

03 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Margaret Burroughs is well known as the founder of the DuSable Museum. Perhaps lesser known is her decades long work teaching art to incarcerated men....

Cardinal Club Was Polish Rock 'N' Roll Heaven In Chicago

26 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Polish immigrants came to Chicago to make a living, and for a time, they got to hang out every weekend with some of Poland’s biggest stars at a smal...

What Was Schwinn's Legacy In Chicago?

19 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's easy to spot a vintage Schwinn bike zooming around the city. The family business was rooted in Chicago.

Not Their First "Roadeo"

12 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

CTA workers compete against each other to see who is the best bus driver, train operator, mechanic and janitorial staff. The annual competition dates ...

The Case Of The Chicago Mothman

05 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There have been reports of a strange winged creature around the Chicago area. We try to find out what the heck is going on.

How Does Sound Travel In The City?

29 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Listening to an outdoor concert is a typical Chicago summer activity. But hearing that concert a few neighborhoods away? We look at how sound travels ...

Chicago Once Had An “Ugly Law”

22 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Many cities around the country once had a so-called ugly law that targeted poor and disabled people. Chicago’s law stayed on the books until the 197...

"Radium Girls" Had A Tragic Glow

15 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In the 1920s, young women working at a radium dial company in Ottawa, Illinois were being poisoned. Surviving "radium girls" would go on to participat...

How Did Malört Become Chicago's Drink?

08 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The bitter liquor has been around for about a century, but Malört's rise to Chicago icon status is a more recent story.

What Lessons Were Learned From The '68 DNC In Chicago?

01 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As Chicago prepares to host the Democratic National Convention, we look back at a volatile year: 1968.

Did Soccer Have A Golden Age In Chicago?

25 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Soccer is popular in Chicago, but it falls behind the popularity of sports like football, baseball and basketball. But in the 1920s, the popularity of...

What's Up With All The Fake Lakes?

18 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Cook County has a lot of artificial lakes. Many of them were once large pits left behind by major construction projects. Now, they serve as habitats f...

Why Are There So Many Irish Pubs In Chicago?

11 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Many Irish immigrants settled in Chicago in the late 1800s, and opened up pubs to make a living, but for a sense of community. We explore the history ...

Why Is The Only North American Baháʼí Temple In Wilmette?

27 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The huge, gleaming Baháʼí House of Worship for North America definitely stands out from its suburban lakefront surroundings. It’s the oldest Bahá...

Reflecting On More Than 10 Years Of Curious City

20 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As Curious City goes through some changes, we take some time to look back and reflect on more than a decade of answering listeners' questions and less...

What’s The Oldest Book In Circulation At The Chicago Public Library?

13 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We go searching for the oldest book in circulation at the library, and find out how a title avoids the book “weeding” process.

The Underground Railroad Existed Throughout Illinois, Including In Chicago

06 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's difficult to find records of Underground Railroad activity in Chicago because the work was inherently dangerous. But some historical documents of...

Did Dinosaurs Ever Live In Chicago?

30 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We went digging for dinosaur bones in Chicago and found a bunch of other fossils along the way. We explore the region's prehistoric activity, and we’...

What Happened To Chicago’s Native American Neighborhood?

23 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chicago has enclaves for numerous communities throughout its 77 neighborhoods. In the mid-20th century, Uptown was the nucleus for Native Americans wh...

Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery: History, Hauntings, and Preservation

16 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery in Midlothian is rumored to be haunted with alleged sightings of a woman in white. But there’s more to this place than s...

The Curious Case Of The Swami Vivekananda Way Street Sign

09 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Kids in India learn about Swami Vivekananda like kids in the U.S. learn about Abraham Lincoln. So how is it that he has his own honorary Chicago stree...

Is This Your Card? A Brief History Of Chicago-style Magic

02 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chicago-style magic is close up, funny and usually performed at a bar or restaurant. We learn about its history and talk to several magicians who are ...

The Mayor, The Prince, and the Gift That Invaded Japan’s Biggest Lake

25 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In October 1960, Prince Akihito of Japan visited Chicago for 21 hours. Chicago’s mayor presented the prince with a diplomatic gift: 18 bluegill. Wha...

Who’s A Good Boy: A Look At Chicago’s Top Dog Breeds

18 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Pit bulls are the number one dog breed in Chicago. We take a trip to the animal shelter to find out why, and we follow one pup as he attempts to find ...

What's That Dead Zone In The 19th Ward?

11 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There’s a hole in the map of Chicago. It turns out, it’s a cemetery. But there are many other cemeteries in Chicago that don’t show up as holes ...

What Happened To The Crows?

04 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A listener thought she’d noticed a change in Chicago’s crow population. And she was right. More than twenty years ago, the crow population of Illi...

From Desegregation To Teen Angst: Inside CPS’s Selective Enrollment System

28 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What began as a method of desegregation and a way to stem white flight has now become a source of both pride and pain for kids and families around the...

Apple Slices: A Nostalgic Piece Of Chicago Pastry History

21 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Apple slices were a favorite Chicago pastry decades ago. Not many bakeries sell them today, but the dessert still has avid fans who hold on to its nos...

Sign Stealing: A Petty Piece Of Chicago Political History

14 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Stealing political signs has been a thing since candidates started printing signs. The tactic was widely used by the Chicago political machine, and it...

Two For Women’s History Month

07 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The juvenile justice system we know today was created by Cook County women. We take a look back at how the program came to be. Then later, ever notice...

The Windy Kitty: How Chicago Became A Haven For Feral Cats

29 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chicago is home to thousands of feral cats. But who’s looking after them? We look at the pros and cons of keeping feral cat colonies.

For Street Artist Joos, All The City's A Gallery

22 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Around Chicago, there are ribbons of paint on utility boxes that look like little doodles. But there’s much more to these paint splotches. The stree...

Chicago's Key Role In The Creation Of Black History Month

15 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, hear about historian Carter G. Woodson’s important Chicago ties, and how he came up with the idea for a “Negro History Week,” which l...

What Was The American Negro Exposition Of 1940?

08 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Fed up with how Black Americans were portrayed at world’s fairs, Black organizers created the “first real Negro World’s Fair” in Chicago in 19...

Chicago Is Where Black Cinema Took Root

01 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In 1913 Chicagoan William Foster became the first Black director to make a film with an all Black cast. Yet most people have never heard of him. Join ...

What’s The Impact Of Storefront Churches On A Community?

25 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Storefront churches have been around since the early 1900s when African-Americans migrated up north from the South. Many are in operation in South and...

Bumper-to-Bumper With Some Questions About Chicago Traffic

18 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There’s never a shortage of complaints about Chicago traffic, but experts swear it could be worse. We investigate the science behind lane closures a...

What It’s Like To Drive A Snow Plow

11 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There’s a lot that goes into keeping the city streets clear of ice and snow. A snowplow driver shows us the ropes. And did you know Chicago used to ...

The Curious City Team Answers Five Wintery Questions

04 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The weather outside is frightful, but our answers to 5 Chicago winter-related questions are delightful.

The History Of The Walnut Room And Why It’s Not Nostalgic For Everyone

28 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Walnut Room in the Macy’s department store downtown has been a longstanding holiday tradition in Chicago. While it is a source of Christmas nost...

Are News Boxes A Thing Of The Past?

21 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You’ll only see news boxes for free publications around today, but those papers are important for many people.

The First Black-Owned And Operated Airport Was In Robbins

14 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Chicago area played a key role in Black aviation in the early 1900s. The founders of the first Black-owned airport learned to fly in Chicago and w...

Who’s Behind The CTA Holiday Train? Santa And The Elves!

07 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The CTA Holiday Train started from humble beginnings. Then a holiday celebrity and his helpers turned it into a Chicago tradition.

How Did Indian Boundary Park Get Its Name?

30 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Indian Boundary Park on the city’s far north side is a symbol of Chicago’s complicated history with Indigenous people. We’ll explore that histor...

Two Tasty Treats For Thanksgiving Feasts

23 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As you prepare to gather around the dinner table, Curious City brings you a couple of delicious food stories. First, we visit some Mexican bakeries ar...

Spare Rooms And Shared Spaces; Migrants Scramble To Find Housing Ahead Of Winter

16 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Thousands of newly arrived migrants are sleeping in tents or shelters in Chicago. But with winter approaching, some residents are offering space in th...

What Happened To Chicago’s Cuban Community?

09 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Following the Cuban Revolution, many Cubans ended up settling in Chicago neighborhoods like Edgewater and Logan Square. Today, the community isn’t a...

Bar Culture on the Big and Small Screen: Curious City Live from Goose Island Barrelhouse

02 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In October, Curious City teamed up with the Chicago Brewseum to talk about important bar scenes in film and television. The Brewseum’s Liz Garibay a...

The Haunting Of East Pilsen

26 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Curious City asked listeners for their paranormal experiences, and it turns out Chicago is pretty spooky. We explore the supernatural in one family’...

How Can We Keep Chicago And Our Basements Above Water?

19 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Basements fill with stormwater and sewage when a big storm hits. Why is this happening, and what can be done to prevent it?

What’s It Like To Be a Rail Operator?

12 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It takes a lot to drive a Chicago Transit Authority train. Since the pandemic, the job itself hasn’t changed, but challenges remain.

Putting on a Chicago race requires fees, permits and patience

05 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Each year tens of thousands of people take part in 5ks, 10ks, marathons, half-marathons and more in Chicago. But how does one get permission? And what...

What’s the History of the Medinah Temple and Its Original Owners?

28 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Before it was a place to gamble or shop, the Medinah Temple was the longtime home to the Medinah Shriners, an organization shrouded in secrecy.

Who Enforces the Rules at Dog Parks?

21 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It can be a tense situation when a dog bites another dog at the park. Who’s making sure it’s handled properly? No matter what kind of dog you h...

The Fireside Bowl: An Unlikely Place For Punks Of All Ages

14 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the ‘90s, an old bowling alley hosted a few punk shows. For a little over a decade, it became the all-ages heart of Chicago’s punk and indie sc...

This Episode Is Garbage

07 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Chicago collects thousands of tons of garbage each year. We answer some questions about garbage, and follow an all-women collection crew on the job.

Are the suburbs taking the “Little India” title away from Devon Avenue?

31 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Devon Avenue in the West Ridge neighborhood has been the region’s top destination for South Asian restaurants, grocery stores, clothing, jewelry and...

Traveling Parties: A Queer Chicago Culture Of Partying As Resistance

24 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The history of traveling queer parties in Chicago is rooted in exclusion and racism. This week, we spoke with Pat McCombs and Vera Washington — long...

Soul Train: How Chicago birthed the “hippest trip in America”

17 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For more than 3 decades, Soul Train brought the coolest music and dancers to TV sets across the country. It also featured the coolest host, Don Cornel...

Is That A Lobster In The Chicago River?

10 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It’s an invasive species that doesn’t seem harmful at first glance. But if they go unchecked, these little things can disrupt local ecologies.

When And Why did The West Ridge Neighborhood Become Such An Orthodox Jewish Enclave?

03 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Chicago’s West Ridge neighborhood has had a large, vibrant Jewish population since the late 1940’s. But at some point, the people living there bec...

What Does "Chicagoland" Mean, And Where Did It Come From?

27 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The origins of “Chicagoland” can be traced back to nearly 100 years ago. Back then, it encompassed an area that went beyond the suburbs.

Chicago’s Steak And Lemonade Combo, And Those Structures On The Lake

19 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The beef sandwich and slushy drink combo are sold together all across the South and West sides of Chicago. Reporter Monica Eng tracks down the guy who...

The Whos And Whys Behind Chicago's So-Called Teen Takeovers

13 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's summertime in Chicago, and once again massive teen gatherings are making headlines. We find out who is organizing these large meetups and why the...

Love It Or Hate It; Malört Is Chicago’s Drink

06 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The bitter liquor has been around for about a century, but Malört’s rise to Chicago icon status is a more recent story.

Four Dances Invented in Chicago, Plus a Traditional One Chicagoans Keep Alive

29 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We waltz with the musicians and dancers who popularized dances in Chicago, and we feel the beat with the people who keep La Danza Ateca alive in Pilse...

What Happens To Unidentified Or Unclaimed Bodies in Cook County?

22 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When someone dies in Cook County and there’s no one to identify or claim the body, a small army of people from the public and private sectors work t...

Chi-Town Is A Pie Town, But We Search Out The Best Single-Slice Pizza In The City

15 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A New York transplant loves everything about Chicago, but misses the easy access to a big slice of pizza on a paper plate. Our city’s tavern style a...

Why Is The Only North American Baháʼí Temple In Wilmette?

08 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The huge, gleaming Baháʼí House of Worship for North America definitely stands out from its suburban lakefront surroundings. It’s the oldest Bahá...

Chicago’s Infamous Dojo Wars Part 2: The Fall of Count Dante, the Deadliest Man Alive

01 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the 1960s, Chicago was becoming known as a center for Karate teaching and international tournaments, and the main person behind this movement was J...

Chicago’s Infamous Dojo Wars, Part 1: The Rise of John Keehan, Karate Sensei

25 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the 1960s, Chicago was becoming known as a center for Karate teaching and international tournaments, and the main person behind this movement was J...

Move Over Mayor. Adios Aldermen. Regular Citizens Can Propose Laws In Chicago And We’ll Tell You How

18 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Brandon Johnson was just sworn in as Chicago’s new mayor. Johnson was known as a union and community organizer who believes average people should ha...

From Venezuela to Chicago, One Migrant’s Story

11 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Carolina Sandoval was on one of the first buses from Texas to Chicago last fall. We follow her journey here from Venezuela, discovering how she’s fo...

Beer and Bar Culture In Chicago: Curious City Live from Carol’s Pub

04 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In April, Carol’s Pub was packed with Curious City fans eager to learn about the history of Uptown saloons and the importance of beer and tavern cul...

Measuring a Man: The Complicated Stature of Labor Leader Samuel Gompers

27 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Samuel Gompers fought for the eight-hour work day and helped create child labor laws. But for all he achieved, he was also fiercely anti-immigrant. We...

What is Swedish Egg Coffee?

20 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Curious City is joined by Reset’s Claire Hyman who went on a search for Swedish Egg Coffee in Chicago. Along the way she discovers its history, find...