Curious City
Episodes
Chicago Bathhouses: A Century Of Sanitation, Sex And Sweat
06 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
A quick tour of places where residents would chill, get clean and — sometimes — get down.
Is Notoriously Segregated Chicago Becoming More Integrated?
30 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
On paper, Chicago is more integrated than it was a few decades ago. But the numbers don’t tell the whole story.
Carl Sandburg's Chicago: The Places, People, And Events That Shaped His Writing
23 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
From 1912 to 1930, the famous poet and writer lived and worked in the Chicago area. Step back in time to experience Sandburg's Chicago.
Why Chicago Lightning Bugs Light Up One Neighborhood But Not the Next
16 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
A listener’s nostalgia for catching lightning bugs as a kid lead her to wonder: Are there any left these days? Our experts say they’re around, jus...
How Chicago Beaches Get and Keep That Nice Fine Sand
09 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Here’s why you shouldn’t take that "sand between your toes" experience for granted!
Chicago's Best Stargazing Spots
02 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Chicago's notorious light pollution hides the stars, but here's where you have a fighting chance to peek at the heavens.
Welcome Back, Otters: Could The River Otter Call Chicago's Loop Home?
25 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Forty years ago, it would have been nearly impossible to find an otter in Illinois, never mind Chicago. Today, could they be here to stay?
The Meaning Of Boystown: A Conversation About Chicago's LGBTQ Neighborhood
18 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
A multi-generational panel talks about what the neighborhood means to them and where they see its future.
Chicago's Architectural Clues Reveal How We Live
11 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
We look at eight building features and what each reveals about how society and urban life has changed over the years.
Building Skyscrapers on Chicago's Swampy Soil
28 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Engineers once compared Chicago’s soggy soil to jelly cake. How did they build a forest of skyscrapers on it?
Rubber Stamp Aldermen: Why Does Chicago City Council Always Vote For What The Mayor Wants?
21 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Most aldermen almost always vote with the mayor, but that's starting to change.
City Of Big Potholes: Is Asphalt The Best Choice For Chicago's Streets?
14 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In the past decade the city paid out nearly $3 million drivers whose cars were damaged by poor road conditions. Is asphalt to blame?
Boystown: How Chicago Got Its Gay Neighborhood
07 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Political activism and businesses helped shape the city's gay neighborhood, but there's a debate about its future.
Curious City: What Happens To Food On Cancelled Flights?
30 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
When a flight gets cancelled, it's not only travel plans that get trashed.
Curious City: The Nazis' Neighborhood
23 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Was there ever a Nazi neighborhood in Chicago? In this special Curious City mini-documentary and online presentation (complete with archival photos an...
How A Rat Balloon From Suburban Chicago Became A Union Mascot
19 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Scabby the Rat is now common on picket lines around the world, but the balloon started in Chicago’s historically blue-collar suburbs.
Safer, Faster, Smarter? The Road Ahead For Illinois' High-Tech Highway
09 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Officials say the Jane Addams Tollway will soon be faster, safer and smarter. But will it deliver?
First Responder: Why Do Fire Trucks Often Arrive Before Ambulances For Medical Emergencies?
02 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Medical calls outnumber fire calls 20 to one in Chicago. So why does the city own so many more fire trucks than ambulances?
The Meteorologist’s Climate Change Dilemma
26 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Tom Skilling explains why most TV meteorologists don't talk about climate change, but should.
Are there fallout shelters left in Chicago?
19 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
There are plenty, but let's just say they're not ready for a nuclear apocalypse.
Searching for Chicago’s Most Family-Packed Neighborhoods
12 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
A prospective Chicago parent wants to know where he could be within door-knocking distance of other families with kids. So we mapped them.
Deconstructing The Chicago-Style Hot Dog
05 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Chicago-style hot dogs are a beloved culinary masterpiece: A snappy all-beef wiener, steamed poppy seed bun, yellow mustard, chopped onions, neon-gree...
Out In The Cold: Where Do Chicago’s Homeless Go In The Winter?
26 Feb 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Coffee shops, hospital waiting rooms and train cars are a few of the places Chicago’s homeless go to escape the cold.
Chickens and Goats and Pigs, Oh My! Chicago’s Backyard Livestock Laws
19 Feb 2017
Contributed by Lukas
After her neighbor adopted five goats, Jeanne Cuff wondered about Chicago's livestock laws.
Red Line To Your Heart: What Makes Chicago's Dating Scene Distinct?
12 Feb 2017
Contributed by Lukas
We explore a phenomenon called “cuffing” and the (short) lengths Chicagoans will go for love.
'Gratest' Fear: The Psychology Behind Chicago’s Sidewalk Grates
05 Feb 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Sidewalk grates make people feel uneasy. An anxiety expert said this uneasiness is rooted in something much deeper.
Korean Chicken Wings: Spicy, Crispy, Saucy And Totally Chicago
29 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Two Albany Park chefs fused Chinese and Korean flavors, giving birth to the chicken lollipop.
Signs Of The Times: How Chicago Bars Got So Many Old Style Signs
22 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
We uncover the history and bask in the glow of a ubiquitous Chicago bar sign.
“Who’s Your Chinaman?”: The Origins Of An Offensive Piece Of Chicago Political Slang
15 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Complete with video and archival images, we track down the offensive phrase’s roots and consider whether it’s time to retire it.
Icebreakers Of The Chicago River: How Bubblers, Boats And Brawn Keep The City Safe Each Winter
08 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
How bubblers, boats and brawn keep the city safe each winter.
Curious City Live: This Show Was A Disaster!
02 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this special podcast episode, Curious City presents three Chicago disaster stories as told at the Old Town School of Folk Music on March 30, 2016. ...
O'Hare's Ghost: Whatever Happened to Terminal 4?
25 Dec 2016
Contributed by Lukas
The area’s premier airport sports Terminals 1, 2, 3 and ... 5. What gives?
The Willis Tower In 150 Years: Adapted, Demolished or Abandoned?
18 Dec 2016
Contributed by Lukas
What will happen to the Willis Tower in 150 years? In this special Curious City presentation, producer Jesse Dukes and the Chicago Architecture Founda...
Christmas Tree Lots: Who Are The Folks Who Keep The Season Bright?
11 Dec 2016
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...
When Church Meets State: Picking Apart Prayer in Aurora’s City Council
04 Dec 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Aurora leads council meetings with prayer, and it sometimes raises eyebrows. But would a judge ever smack it down?
City Beautiful? Why Some Chicago Neighborhoods Have Viaduct Art and Others Don't
27 Nov 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Murals beautify some viaducts, while others are left bare and dirty. Why the disparity?
Tips For Hunting Chicago’s Long-lost Recipes
20 Nov 2016
Contributed by Lukas
The city's top recipe sleuths share their secrets as we recreate a divine, but elusive, fried chicken dish.
The Swinging Times of Chicago's Revolving Doors
11 Nov 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Tempted to ignore the revolving door? Here are the revolutions that made the city a magnet for this seemingly simple device.
Do Lotto Dollars Really Fund Education?
06 Nov 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Schools are really crimped for cash. Hold up, wasn’t the lottery supposed to help with that?
Second City: The Origins of Chicago’s One-way Rivalry with New York
30 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
There was a time Chicago gave New York a run for its money. How did we end up the Second City?
Fighting For Scraps: What It Would Take For Chicago To Get Citywide Composting
23 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Minneapolis and San Fran do it. Even Oak Park’s got a program. What gives? Photos of how municipal composting works in Oak park, interviews and the ...
From Rust to Repurposed: A Second Life for Chicago’s Abandoned Bikes
16 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
That sorry-looking bike on the curb could end up in the hands of a local kid or even a family overseas. Full story with additional interviews and phot...
Daley vs. Little Italy: Did the Mayor Drop UIC on the Neighborhood Out of Spite?
09 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Why did Richard J. Daley push for the UIC campus to rise from the heart of a long-standing ethnic neighborhood? In this special Curious City presentat...
From Rails to Trails: The Economic Impact of Chicago’s Repurposed Railways
02 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
As The 606 stokes fears of economic displacement, the city wants to repurpose more rail lines. What's the state of research on this?
The Making Of Polish Chicago
18 Sep 2016
Contributed by Lukas
This Curious City special mini-documentary answers how the Polish became one of Chicago’s largest and most influential ethnic groups. And, come to t...
The Painters Who Give Chicago's Grocery Signs The Human Touch
11 Sep 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Craftsmanship and economics combine to keep the city's tradition of distinctive hand-painted signs alive in the digital age.
How Chicago Beaches Get and Keep That Nice Fine Sand
04 Sep 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Here’s why you shouldn’t that "sand between your toes" experience for granted!
Displaced: When The Eisenhower Expressway Moved In, Who Was Forced Out?
28 Aug 2016
Contributed by Lukas
The Ike was the city’s first superhighway. In this special presentation, people affected open up about how it scattered ethnic neighborhoods and cha...
Why The 1992 Loop Flood Is The Most Chicago Story Ever
21 Aug 2016
Contributed by Lukas
How clout, corruption, and construction without permits led to half the Loop being evacuated.
Why Is Gambling Banned On The CTA?
14 Aug 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Commuters are regularly hit with the announcement “Gambling is prohibited on CTA trains.” We find the reason behind the rule and look for those wh...
Zeppelin Poseurs: Why Chicago's Airship Dreams Never Took Off
08 Aug 2016
Contributed by Lukas
In the 1920s, the city was head over heels for airships. So why did it let this once-futuristic technology float away?
A Tale of Resale: How Big Chains’ Produce Ends Up in Local Grocery Stores
31 Jul 2016
Contributed by Lukas
When one Chicagoan found brand-name Brussels sprouts at a bargain produce market, she had to wonder: How did these get here? And why are they so cheap...
Why Chicago Lightning Bugs Light Up One Neighborhood But Not the Next
25 Jul 2016
Contributed by Lukas
A listener’s nostalgia for catching lightning bugs as a kid lead her to wonder: Are there any left these days? Our experts say they’re around, jus...
The Heart Of The City: Finding Chicago’s Geographic Center
18 Jul 2016
Contributed by Lukas
It smells like garbage and gym shoes, but, surprisingly, the city’s geographic center says a lot about Chicago’s soul.
Hidden in Plain Sight: Inside Downtown Chicago's Windowless, Doorless Buildings
10 Jul 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Here’s a peek at what goes on inside some of these “mystery buildings” and how their architectural disguises have evolved over the decades.
Getting to the Bottom of Lake Michigan's Legendary 'Shark Attack'
01 Jul 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Rumor has it a young George Lawson was attacked by a shark while swimming at a Chicago beach in 1955. Is it true, or just a bunch of bull shark?
Stories Behind CTA ‘L’ Lines’ Strange Curves, Dips and Twists
13 Jun 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Here’s who and what to blame if you spill your coffee on your commute.
What Killed The Cook County Fair?
06 Jun 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Before it fizzled out, the summer shindig’s blue ribbons, plump pumpkins and animal shows united a large, diverse county.
The Killing Of Fred Goree: A White Cop, A Buick And Segregation In The Age Of Negro League Baseball
30 May 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Sisters seek details about their grandfather’s Chicago baseball team, and his killing by a white police officer in 1925.
Escape From Chicago: How Long Would It Take to Evacuate?
23 May 2016
Contributed by Lukas
The city’s cagey on estimates, but suggests you bring your best walking shoes.
Mixed Signals: Do Chicago's Crosswalk Buttons Actually Work?
16 May 2016
Contributed by Lukas
The city’s pushing pedestrian-friendly design, but it’s left one consideration at the curb.
Why Chicago BYOBs Like Nobody’s Business
09 May 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Combine gangster-era liquor laws with a twist of modern creativity, add a dash of laid-back spirit, and you’ve got a cocktail that makes Chicago the...
Chicago’s Killer View: The Skyline’s Toll On Migratory Birds
02 May 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Each migratory season leaves a flurry of birds dead at the feet of skyscrapers. But does that make a dent in the bird population?
Chicago’s Tornado-Proof Delusion
25 Apr 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Yes, tornadoes can hit Chicago. Why do so many people think otherwise?
Illinois Has No Budget, So Where Do State Tax Dollars Go, Anyway?
11 Apr 2016
Contributed by Lukas
The answers are crazy. We’ll have fun looking. But you’ll probably be pretty mad by the end. Things are worse than you thought. The bad news: We’...
Little Eddie's Field Trip: The Union Stock Yards Through the Eyes of an Eighth Grader
28 Mar 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Decades ago, Chicago’s Union Stockyards were the source of meat for the country, jobs for the city and ... field trips for Chicago Public School c...
Not in Your Front Yard: Why ‘For Sale’ Signs are Banned in Oak Park
21 Mar 2016
Contributed by Lukas
The village insists a decades-old rule to fight blockbusting continues to protect a precious suburban commodity: diversity.
Have We Hit Peak Mattress? Why Chicago Has So Many Mattress Stores
14 Mar 2016
Contributed by Lukas
If this retail mystery’s keeping you up at night, here are answers. Plus: Have we hit peak mattress? Warning: More puns ahead!
Chicago Architects: Why the City’s New Buildings Don’t Look Like Its Classics
07 Mar 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s Chicago architects answer why they build the way they do, and to what degree their inspiration comes from the city’s past. Full story, wit...
Icebreakers of the Chicago River: How bubblers, boats and brawn keep the city safe each winter
12 Feb 2016
Contributed by Lukas
How bubblers, boats and brawn keep the city safe each winter.
What Happened to Chicago's Rifle Ranges?
05 Feb 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Rifle sport shooting was once so popular in the city that even ComEd and schools had competitive teams. Today, there's not a range in sight.
That Time Chicago Sent a Trainload of Snow to Florida
15 Jan 2016
Contributed by Lukas
How one girl’s dream for a snow day came true during the infamous blizzard of 1967.
The Fall of Chicago's 'Porkopolis' and the Rise of Niche Meat
23 Dec 2015
Contributed by Lukas
The city was once the nation’s meatpacking powerhouse. What, if anything, is left?
Curious City: The Mystery Collection
18 Dec 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Answers to listeners' questions about the mysterious side of Chicago that lies beyond the soaring skyscrapers and the sheen of the Bean.
Ferry-tale: Could a Chicago-to-Michigan Ferry Return from Extinction?
11 Dec 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Lake Michigan was once a passenger steamer superhighway. Could a Chicago-to-Michigan route make a comeback?
The Swinging Times of Chicago's Revolving Doors
04 Dec 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Tempted to ignore the revolving door? Here are the revolutions that made the city a magnet for this seemingly simple device.
Half Day Road and the Origins of a Semantic Slip-up
03 Dec 2015
Contributed by Lukas
A half day from ... what? Why this suburban myth is not even half true, and why the same mistake was made again 600 miles away.
Fare Game: When do CTA Buses Break Even?
20 Nov 2015
Contributed by Lukas
A look at how many riders it takes to make a bus profitable.
Mold-A-Rama-Rama! The Secrets Behind Chicago's Plastic Souvenir Empire
13 Nov 2015
Contributed by Lukas
How a Chicago-area famiHow a Chicago-area family turned cheap plastic souvenirs into a nostalgia empire.ly turned cheap plastic souvenirs into a nosta...
Blacksmiths: The 'Plastic Surgeons' on Chicago's Payroll
06 Nov 2015
Contributed by Lukas
The City of Chicago employs 20 full-time blacksmiths. But what do they do? And what's with the ancient job title?
'Poland elsewhere': Why So Many Poles Came to Chicago
30 Oct 2015
Contributed by Lukas
How generation after generation of Polish families made the city into a 'Poland elsewhere.'
Can Chicago Brag about the Size of its Polish Population?
26 Oct 2015
Contributed by Lukas
A Grabowski team of demographA Grabowski team of demographers help us test the city’s claim of having the most Poles outside Poland.ers help us test...
Don't Believe the Height! Why Chicago Suburb Names Flat Out Lie about their Elevation
16 Oct 2015
Contributed by Lukas
From Chicago Heights to Mount Prospect, here’s why Chicago suburb names flat out lie about their elevation.
Shadow City: How Chicago Became the Country's Alley Capital
10 Oct 2015
Contributed by Lukas
How Chicago became the alley capital of the country and why so much of the rest of the region is conspicuously alley-free.
Nice Pipes: The Inner Workings of Buckingham Fountain
04 Sep 2015
Contributed by Lukas
The lowdown on how the fountain shoots water so high, and why it was built to impress in the first place.
Beyond Deep-Dish: Exploring Chicago's Other Native Foods
02 Sep 2015
Contributed by Lukas
A list of meaty, messy and often obscure city originals that's meant to get you out of your comfort zone.
Mystery Boat: Alone and Idle in a Waterlogged Corner of Chicago
26 Aug 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Ever see this rusty old freighter off the Bishop Ford Expressway? Its backstory says a lot about the Great Lakes shipping industry.
Are there fallout shelters left in Chicago?
19 Aug 2015
Contributed by Lukas
There are plenty, but let’s just say they’re not ready for a nuclear apocalypse.
Where are Chicago's Poor White Neighborhoods?
12 Aug 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Poverty touches all races in Chicago, but it's more visible among blacks and Latinos. Here's why that happens and why it matters.
Shoes on a Wire: Untangling an Urban Myth
05 Aug 2015
Contributed by Lukas
From teenage mischief to possible drug markets, a search for the real reasons sneakers end up on power lines.
Chicago's Best Stargazing Spots
22 Jul 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Chicago’s notorious light pollution hides the stars, but here’s where you have a fighting chance to peek at the heavens.
Here's Harold! (The Robot Edition)
15 Jul 2015
Contributed by Lukas
The DuSable Museum says — creepy or not — its Harold Washington robot will teach you a thing or two about the city’s first African-A...
What Really Happens to Chicago's Blue Cart Recycling?
01 Jul 2015
Contributed by Lukas
The program is no sham, but a good number of recyclables still head to landfills.
In Chicago, Eternal Rest Ain't So Eternal
18 Jun 2015
Contributed by Lukas
How often do the dead make way for planes, parks and other local development? More than you'd think.
Beyond The Rattle And Clatter: When The CTA 'L' Is Your Neighbor
10 Jun 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Living near the CTA means life in a rattling fishbowl, but some Chicagoans adapt.
The unsung hero of urban planning who made it easy to get around Chicago
20 May 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Unsung urban planning hero Edward Brennan tamed a chaotic 19th-century street-numbering system.
Were Chicago's Public Schools Ever Good?
13 May 2015
Contributed by Lukas
We start an era-by-era search for the district’s ‘golden age’ and wonder: Could it be right now?
The Legacy Of Michael Jordan In Chicago
01 Apr 2015
Contributed by Lukas
The city rode high when ‘His Airness’ played for the Bulls. But what did he leave behind?
Chicago's forgotten Civil War prison camp
11 Mar 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Camp Douglas’ deadly reputation was kept in shadows but now there’s a surprising movement to bring it to light.
Building Skyscrapers on Chicago's Swampy Soil
04 Mar 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Engineers once compared Chicago’s soggy soil to jelly cake. How did they build a forest of skyscrapers on it?