Curious City
Episodes
The Rise of Casimir Pulaski Day
25 Feb 2015
Contributed by Lukas
How Chicago’s Polish community won a Revolutionary War hero a holiday ... in a state he never stepped in.
No Conspiracy Required: The True Origins Of Chicago's February Elections
18 Feb 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Sure, the timing’s awful for campaigning and voting, but it wasn’t some trick concocted by the Democratic Machine. In fact, it was meant t...
When Will Chicago Get Its Next Supertall Skyscraper?
28 Jan 2015
Contributed by Lukas
A Chinese developer wants to alter the city skyline and break a dry spell in a field we once dominated.
When is Chicago-area Traffic the Worst?
09 Jan 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Let our info about the Let our info about the worst hours, days and seasons for road congestion steer you clear from a traffic-induced personal hell. ...
Wherefore art thou Romeoville?
29 Dec 2014
Contributed by Lukas
The Chicago suburbs of Romeoville and Joliet were once named Romeo and Juliet. We explored why.
Weird And Wonderful Things You Might Not Know About Chicago
23 Dec 2014
Contributed by Lukas
What associations do you make with Chicago? Da Bears? Shady politics? Wacky weather? If you feel that list is getting stale, here’s a list of ne...
Could Truant Officers Return To Chicago Public Schools?
13 Nov 2014
Contributed by Lukas
A state task force likes the idea, but one former officer says the proposed job description could be a bit too much.
Campus police: real deal or rent-a-cops?
05 Nov 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Our case study: The U of C, where a private force polices 65,000 Chicagoans on and off campus.
We Ain't Afraid Of No (Chicago) Ghosts!
30 Oct 2014
Contributed by Lukas
What makes these notable ghost stories tick? Even if you don’t believe them, you’ll never forget them.
Real Estate And Religion: The Tale Of Seventeenth Church Of Christ, Scientist
22 Oct 2014
Contributed by Lukas
How a modest congregation at Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist built and maintained an improbably cool concrete oasis in such an improbable loca...
Chicago Without The Fire
06 Oct 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Historians consider our “what-if” scenario about a city that escaped the 1871 blaze. Would the Loop be a livable neighborhood? Would the s...
A Second Act For The Uptown Theater?
19 Sep 2014
Contributed by Lukas
As Chicago's former grand movie palace turns 90, the question remains: What can be done to restore it?
Two neighboring states, one big financial gap
28 Aug 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Illinois struggles with debt and unpaid bills, while Indiana is sitting pretty with a surplus topping $2 billion. What’s behind the fiscal gap b...
A Shot Of History: Ingredients Of The Chicago Speakeasy
07 Aug 2014
Contributed by Lukas
The faux speakeasy is popping up everywhere these days, but what made the original Prohibition saloon work?
So, why did it take so long for it to be Mayor Jane Byrne's turn?
25 Jul 2014
Contributed by Lukas
It took decades for Chicago's first and only female mayor to land an official honor from City Council. Is there a reason it took so long?
Compare: Illinois Governor Candidates' Views On Concealed Carry
13 Mar 2014
Contributed by Lukas
A concerned citizen poses questions about violence and the state’s new law allowing people to carry concealed guns. We find a surprising lack of...
How Much Road Salt Ends Up In Lake Michigan?
05 Mar 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Now that our wicked winter’s ending, we look at whether there’s any fallout from flinging so much salt around.
Just How Bad Is This Chicago Winter?
05 Feb 2014
Contributed by Lukas
This winter has felt like one for the ages, but is it really one of Chicago’s worst?
Gulp! How Chicago Gobbled Its Neighbors
27 Jan 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Our animated map shows how Chicago grew from lakeside outpost to booming metropolis over the course of a century.
Hosting the enemy: Our WWII POW camps
10 Dec 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Daring escapes, unexpected romance and more true stories from German prisoners held in our area.
Neon No More: Lincoln Avenue's Motel Row
31 Oct 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Here’s the evolution of the Lincoln Avenue motels, from sensible to seedy to retro spectacle.
Who's Behind Those Eyes?
09 Oct 2013
Contributed by Lukas
The Chicago International Film Festival’s logo has intrigued movie buffs for decades. But is that Charlie Chaplin? Liza Minelli? Here’s th...
Should We Use The 'L Word' For Jane Addams?
05 Sep 2013
Contributed by Lukas
The Progressive Era activist was many things: a Nobel Peace Prize winner, a social reformer, a feminist. But what about ... a lesbian? And, just why s...
Where Have All The Old-School Doughnut Shops Gone?
21 Aug 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Curious City finds the city’s best doughnut spot, while Dunkin’s former CEO spills the secret to the chain’s growth here.
The Sweet Spot At The Top Of Chicago
28 Jun 2013
Contributed by Lukas
The area’s so flat that every bunny hill seems a candidate. But it’s sweet (literally) to find the real deal.
Pregnancy Tests? Pigeon Poo? What Chicago Aldermen Really Do
11 Jun 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Sure, they pass laws and vote on city budgets. But there’s so much more. Think: Pregnancy tests and pigeon poo.
Working For Change On Chicago’s Sidewalks
06 Jun 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Curious City tracks down the average wages of panhandlers and street performers in Chicago.
Being A Breadwinner On $8.25 An Hour
21 May 2013
Contributed by Lukas
A listener who hustles to make ends meet wants us to think about people who hustle for even less.
So, What’s (Still) Made In The Chicago Area?
20 May 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Sure, we have fewer industrial giants in our area these days, but if you know where to look you can find the beating heart of industry.
Chicago Diners, Side Of Extra Crispy Stories
14 May 2013
Contributed by Lukas
You’d think food blogger Louisa Chu would be stuffed after this assignment. Nope. Pass her the syrup, she says. She wants to stay and hear more ...
The Story Of Dunning, A 'Tomb For The Living'
30 Apr 2013
Contributed by Lukas
In both life and death, the people who ended up at the notorious asylum and poor farm were some of Chicago’s least fortunate residents.
Did a WWII nuclear experiment make the U of C radioactive?
17 Apr 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Our Geiger counter couldn’t detect any radiation footprint from the site of the first sustained nuclear chain reaction. (Whew!) But, was safety ...
Laugh Your Troubles Away
19 Feb 2013
Contributed by Lukas
A Curious Citizen’s question becomes your ticket to our multimedia playground, where you can relive the sometimes joyful, sometimes disturbing, and ...
Hmmm ... If Only Our Curiosity Had An Anthem
13 Feb 2013
Contributed by Lukas
A Chicago transplant asked what — if anything — is unique to Chicago. Answers were slippery, but our songster grabbed the best and wrote a...
What Happened to Nike Missile Sites Around Chicago?
22 Jan 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Cold War Chicago was once peppered with nuclear missiles ready to thwart a Soviet attack.
Is Construction Work A Boon For Chicago's Urban Archaeologists?
16 Jan 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Curious Citizen Linda Rudy wondered when ground is broken for building or repairs, is anyone there to look for treasure? We catch up with local archae...
Who settles refugees on Chicago's North Side?
08 Jan 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Rogers Park resident Lowell Wyse noticed how diverse his neighborhood is, and wonders whether the city helps place international refugees there. If Ci...
How Much Of The Field Museum’s Collection Is Actually On Display?
03 Jan 2013
Contributed by Lukas
The bulk of its objects are out of sight, but not necessarily out of mind. Start with our behind-the-scenes view, and stick around for a surprising in...
Why Ban Pickups from Lake Shore Drive? Where Can They Park in Chicago?
01 Jan 2013
Contributed by Lukas
History suggests a Victorian-era prejudice against commercial traffic in Chicago parkways lurks behind a ban against pickup trucks on Lake Shore Drive...
How Has Chicago’s Coastline Changed Over The Decades?
11 Dec 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Curious citizen Miriam Reuter wondered how Chicago's coastline has changed over the decades. We learn that from nature to industry and back again ...
Where’s Chicago's Biodiversity Hotspot?
07 Nov 2012
Contributed by Lukas
The city's home to more wildlife than the usual suspects. (We're talking 'bout you, Mr. Squirrel.) Lace up your boots, folks. To find lizards, osprey ...
Chuh Kaw Go, What Do You Really Sound Like?
23 Oct 2012
Contributed by Lukas
What is a Chicago accent and what do Chicagoans really sound like? Sound off with your phone and become part of the linguistic record.