In this special episode of the Windy City Historians we revisit our discussion of Jean Nicolet in late historian John Swenson's last interview.

In this Special Episode we take a view of Chicago History -- Cicada style. For in the world of entomology, 2024 was a big year. As two cicada broods The Great Southern Brood, which emerge every 13-y

Chicago's newspaper heyday boosted stories about murderers, high-society scandals, gangsters and more. Join us for this extended episode.

All too often history repeats itself -- with tragic results. During the last 100-years, the killing of one person becomes symbolic and spawns a larger tragedy. Irregularly bubbling to the surface th

Hear from author Joe Gustaitis as we discuss how World War I transformed Chicago from a strongly German city into a modern metropolis.

In American history, we were taught that pioneers and homesteaders moved from east to west settling the continent in the greater pursuit of Manifest Destiny -- killing and obfuscating the First Nati

In 1909 Chicago changed dramatically both physically and intellectually. Having grown through fits and starts via annexation and experiencing the most rapid population growth of any city in history,

The path to riches is not often associated with journalism, but in the case of George Ade, writing for Chicago newspapers was his road to wealth and fame. Ade, (1866-1944) who was born and raised in

October is Railroad history month in Chicago. Although we already released Episode 24 - The Railroads in honor of railroads history month there was too much good stuff to stop there.

For 150 years, Chicago has remained the country's busiest rail hub at the center of the nations rail network. In all, 40 railroads provide services from Illinois to every part of the United States a